Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition Upgrade

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(28)

 

 

I recently upgraded two of my computers from W95 to W98. For the most part my laptop upgrade went fine, although I did have to do some tinkering with it. Upgrading my desktop (a major name brand) was a major undertaking. I spent an entire day getting the upgrade to install properly. The machine would lock up or reboot itself in the middle of the install (not when it was supposed to reboot). Then I started to get "Windows protection errors." I went to the Microsoft website to find out more about these but their advice was not very helpful. The emergency startup disk that is created as part of the install is a joke. After loading from the diskette, there was not enough conventional memory to run my CD-ROM drive. It recommended that I add a line to the config.sys so that it loads EMM386. The problem: The EMM386 file is not on the startup diskette. For a while I was in a "catch 22." If I boot from the diskette I can't access the W98 install CD. But I need the CD to debug and complete the install.

After many re-attempts and much debugging, I finally got it to install, but it wouldn't recognize that I had a modem (a name brand modem). It took me another hour to solve this problem. It seems to be working OK now - although I've got my fingers crossed.

I've been in the computer business, working with PCs, for 15 years now and consider myself fairly competent technically. If I had been an average home user I would have been lost trying to install this. For the most part, the manual, help screens, and MS website all assume that you a computer geek - and provide their advice accordingly.

My advice. If you're still running Windows 95 and are not having any problems, stay with it. Windows 98 itself does not have enough new features to make the upgrade, and the cost of the upgrade, worthwhile (especially if you have the problems that I did). If you're a home user, wait until the second release of Windows ME is available and go with that. If you are a business user and have tech support people available, consider Windows 2000.

Ah . . . Windows 98 SE - the latest product Microsoft is shoving down our throats. When I first installed Win98SE, I didn't expect much. A couple cosmetic changes here and there, a newer version of Internet Explorer bundled, and improved hardware compatibility. And that's _exactly_ what I got. Nothing more, nothing less. God forbid that Microsoft make their latest creation faster, more efficient, and more stable. A lower price wouldn't hurt, either ($89 for an upgrade and $179 for a full install is unacceptable, IMO). But we get none of those things, and instead get a shoddy upgrade that changes a few little things that a normal Windows user wouldn't care to notice.

My advice: pick this up _only_ if you're _still_ on Windows 95A or older. If you're on Windows 95B or Windows 98, stay away. Keep your money. Invest in Windows 2000 instead.

In fact, personally, my Windows partition sits dormant on my hard drive. It serves no other purpose but to play some old DOS games, or to test an application that I absolutely need to use (which isn't often). If you're anything like me, get BeOS instead (only if you already have Win95/98, of course). Not only is it cheaper ($49 at this site), but it's faster, more efficient, offers better stability, etc etc.

After spending time reading almost all of the reviews that have been left here, I have a few things I would like to say. First, to remain credible, I do not work for Microsoft. Second, I am disappointed with some of the people's comments; no one wants to listen to someone complain about a company that you may not like. Either be constructive or don't bother to post your opinions. I do, however, believe that Microsoft did a good job with Windows 98.

Does Win98 crash on me? Yes. I make no illusions about that. Is it the perfect operating system? No; but is it the best choice for most of the users in the computer market today? Well, I think so, but it depends who you talk to. For the basic user (the people that this operating system was truly designed for), Win98 is a good product that is relatively hassle-free. No matter what anyone tells you, keep this in mind: Win98 is not for people who wanted to do high-power anything (graphics, rendering, calculations), *truly*. Those people can go use the more operation-specific operating systems, ones that are designed to handle certain tasks well (like BeOS).

As far as plug and play, Win98 has worked flawlessly on my machine and I am quite happy with it -- much less hassle than Win95. The Internet is easier to setup, there are a bunch of neat gadgets and features, and that is all great.

For those of you concerned about the cost, Win98 is not essential. *It is not essential*. You can make by with Win95. However, if you want to update your computer and if you want to do many of the newest things with it (such as newest versions of software, games, etc), you should get Win98 for the $90 upgrade price.

Also, Win98 (and Win95, to a lesser extent) has a plethora of software products on the market, with companies actively coding more and more each day. Compared to many operating systems, Windows has one of the largest supported software databases of them all. This is great for every user of Window.

In the end, Win98 is good. I do not understand why so many people hate Microsoft and its products. Why, may I ask, if you hate Microsoft so much, do you continue to use Windows? Or Microsoft Office (the most used, most popular, and best office productivity suite out on the market)? Or anything else Microsoft makes? Because their products are good. Sure, they have problems -- but what software doesn't? With Windows, which is probably one of Microsoft's most criticized products, Microsoft has had to not only keep up the backward compatibility (being able to run Win95 and DOS programs on Win98), but also manage drivers and support for the enormous world of hardware and software that is available on PCs. In reality, there are a lot of things that COULD go wrong, things that you might EXPECT to go wrong, but don't.

If you don't like Microsoft, do what other people say and get a Macintosh, or install BeOS or Linux. But don't just sit around complaining, but continuing to use Microsoft software -- it's hypocritical and no one wants to listen to it.

Four stars because it's not perfect, but it's pretty darn close.

I have been reading the reviews about Windows 98 SE, and people say it sucks. I disagree! I admit that Windows 98 SE does have a couple of bugs, but it for sure has less than Windows 95. The only problem with it is that sometimes it hangs during shutdown, but that is only a minor problem. Its more stable than 95 and has more features. It is easier to use and is faster too. The upgrade went great and only took about 30 min. For all those people with "name brand pc's" that have trouble upgrading I have one too. Its a Compaq Presario 8760, with 166MHz and 64mb of ram. Windows 98 SE also comes with a new version of DirectX and even has Microsoft Plus included. It features more 3D icons, and has a mini-desktop in the taskbar. Windows 98 also has an improved start menu and help capabilites. It even comes with Windows Update which goes on the internet and shows you new files you can get for it. Oh yeah... the startup is alot faster (about 50 sec). Windows 98 also has better system tools and network capabilites. So if you are using Windows 3.1 or 95, and your computer can't handle the newest version of Windows (ME) than go with Windows 98! Its worth it.

points to ponder: 1 - if you have a windows system now you should go to microsofts website before you buy any thing and see if they give it to you for free 2- the package has alot more drivers so it is easier to install hardware 3- If you are on LAN or might be sending a kid off to school with one GET it, win3.1 can't easily be networked, and win95 can be fussy sometimes too 4- I've been running it since aug and I have had to reformat my hard drive 3 times since, that is alot of lost data, I never had to reformat win 95 running the same programs 5- BEWARE OF REMOVING SYSTEM COMPONATES even with the CD ROM and they are opational removing desktop themes resulted in my computer denying the existance of my CD ROM DRIVE (above was for win98 in general) as for the second edition update: * IF YOUR COMPUTER IS RUNNING FINE DON'T MESS WITH IT! YOU DO NOT WHAT TO ANGER THE COMPUTER GODS THEY ARE MEAN AND VENGEFUL **

after purchacing a computer with 98 secondedition 2000 update i recieved another update in the mail. Installing that was the cause of reformat number two. My system ran much slower and just would not to open some programs. Nor would it let me shut down and it would not start again the first time through.

Although it is OK (knock wood) now with the orginal software

so as I said do not blindly change your operating system.

Don't you love microsoft? This is a total waste of money. I would rate it less than one star if I could. Every time Microsft decides to make money, they produce an over-priced product like this, then discontinue support for the old OS, forcing everybody to upgrade. Win98 fixes the problems you never paid for with Win95, and introduces new problems you will pay for again with Win2k. Basically they gave you a broken product with no alternatives so when you have to pay for the fix, you still have no alternatives. But you need to buy it anyway, because the latest hardware will not work without it. Beware though, you may want to check out your hardware for Win98 compatible drivers, as some perphials (like some HP scanners) requre you to send away to HP to get them, and this may lead to more cost that you counted on. You may have a problem with winmodems as well. If you don't know what you're doing, you will be almost guaranteed to have problems with drivers that will need to be fixed by a local computer guru, and so you may end up paying a lot more for this "simple" upgrade.

I really wish I could tell you to "STAY AWAY" but there is nothing better, because there is nothing else.

This software package is supposed to be the improved version of Windows 95, true it is reliable but there are no new features that jump right out at you, I upgraded my home PC from Windows 95b to 98SE because of constant freezes in 95 and for the most part I have been pretty satisfied with it's performance. it does include newer versions of Internet Explorer and it has a better driver database but other than that it's ok. If you are using 95a or 95b, I recommend that you buy this upgrade it will have your system running better with new utilities and it will be easier for you to install hardware with the new drivers database. The memory requirements according to Microsoft.com say 24mb, but I recommend 32 and up the more you have the faster it will run.

Windoze98 upgrade from 95 made my computer much worse. I needed the 98 version because 95 has poor USB support. My experience is that many applications run a magnitude slower under 98. There are also frequent freeze-ups of the system, sometimes I can't power down the system through Windoze (I have to unplug it), and sometimes the system refuses to recognize peripherals (depending on what software was being ran). If you don't need USB support, my advice is to stay with Windows95. There are far less bugs.

I use Windows NT, 95, and 98 in varying work and leisure activities and find there are definite advantages to having 98 available when it comes to adding and configuring certain devices, especially USB and certain 3D cards. If you're a gamer and want to keep playing the leading 3D games, Windows 2000 won't treat you any better than Windows NT. Of course there are exceptions. Like Quake II in Open GL with my Voodoo Banshee. But for most popular games you will still need Windows 98. Upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows 2000 and expecting to be able to use all the same software on your system, is like expecting the same thing out of Windows NT 4. That's because Windows 2000 IS Windows NT. Remember, it WAS called WIndows NT 5.0.

Windows 98 makes it easier to operate in today's market with the newer software and devices that are becoming available. Remember, if the system requirements on that software you are buying don't state that it will work on NT, it probably won't work on Windows 2000 either.

This was the worst thing I could have installed. Once installed, my DVD player no longer worked. I can play CDs but not DVDs. I tried uninstalling SE, but it leaves residual files that CANNOT be removed. If you do attempt the uninstall, then the DVD worked, but other programs don't. Microsoft and Gateway refuse to help with the issue. Gateway claims I purchased it 3rd party from Mircosoft (! ) and Microsoft says it's Gateway's responsibility. So now I have a $3000 machine with a useless DVD. Take my advice: DO NOT use this software. The testing was poor, and the changes that do work are not worth the effort. Unless you want to FTP from Explorer, you don't need IE5. And at least your equipment will continue to work.