Using Windows 98 Update

Using Windows Update

On of the greatest features during the Windows^® evolution process is the Windows Update feature. On the presumption that you have Internet access, Windows Update will allow you to log onto the Microsoft Windows Update site and view any number of add-on features beginning with security fixes, product updates as well as numerous add-on features to increase the usability of your computer. The following will show you how to use Windows Update, and in some cases when it doesn’t operate as intended, make the necessary repairs to have it function as it should.

How to keep Windows 98 Up To Date

The computer world changes so fast, it’s hard to know when you need to update files on your computer. Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system provides a resource site on the Web, called Windows Update, that helps your computer work and run better. Windows Update can automatically review the system software on your computer and then recommend when you need to install updates specific to your computer. Note that this information is not sent to Microsoft or to anyone else.

To go to the Windows Update, click Start, and then click Windows Update.

Using Windows Update

Windows Update (lexplore.exe) is an online extension of Windows 98. It helps your computer operate better by providing a central location to find customized files and product enhancements. Product enhancements include service packs, system files, device drivers, and new Windows 98 features.

When Windows 98 is installed, an Internet shortcut to the Windows Update page on www.microsoft.com is created on the Start menu. Windows update uses Active Setup and ActiveX controls to provide product enhancements. The ActiveX controls are downloaded and installed on your system when you connect to the Windows Update Web page.

Note:

Windows Update requires browser software that supports ActiveX controls.

Once the controls are installed, they automatically compare device drivers installed on your computer with a database of updated drivers on the server. If any drivers are found to be newer than your current set, they are offered to you to install.

Note:

Device drivers, system patches, or hot fixes can be uninstalled using the Restore page from the Web site. If you are unable to connect to the Windows Update Web site, you can uninstall the latest updates by using Update Wizard Uninstall (Upwizun.exe) found on the Tools menu of Microsoft System Information. Existing files and drivers are automatically backed up before the new ones are installed.

To use Windows Update

• Click Start, and then click Windows Update.

  – Or –

  Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Windows Update.

Follow the instructions on the screen to install the latest updates. Windows Update scans your system, generates a list of items that can be updated, and then installs the files for the items you choose to update.

Points to remember about Windows Update:

• Windows Update is an online extension of Windows 98 that helps you maintain a current computer.

• You must have browser software that supports ActiveX controls to access Windows Update.

• Device drivers, system patches, or hot fixes can be uninstalled using the Restore page from the Web site. If you are unable to connect to the Windows Update Web site, use Update Wizard Uninstall (Upwizun.exe) found on the Tools menu of Microsoft System Information. The original files are automatically backed up to ensure a safe return to the prior state, if needed.

What to do if Windows Update doesn’t work correctly.

Typical Problem: When you attempt to connect to the Microsoft Windows Update site, you may experience any of the following:

• You see only a blank Web page.

• You receive a scripting error message.

• You receive the following error message:

• Error Installing Dependency.

• You receive the following error message:

• An unknown error occurred.

• You receive the following error message:

• You chose not to download the software controls or there was a problem with downloading the controls, in which case much of the Windows Update site will be unavailable to you. If you would like to download the controls now, please click Try Again below.

• You receive the following error message:

• Your Internet Explorer security settings are set to High.

  In order to use the Windows Update site, you need to set your security settings at medium.

  To change your security settings: From the View menu on the toolbar, choose Internet Options. Click the Security tab, and then select Internet zone in the drop- down box. Click Medium.

• You receive the following error message:

• Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet site address.

• A connection to the server could not be established.

• Your computer stops responding (hangs) when you attempt to download a file from the Windows Update site.

The Usual Reasons or Causes for this to occur:

This behavior can occur for a number of reasons, including a poorly written Java program, a damaged ActiveX control, a damaged cookie, a damaged file in the Temporary Internet Files folder, damaged Microsoft Active Setup or Windows Update files, or a non-registered copy of Windows 98.

Fixing the Problem:

To resolve this problem, use as many of the following steps as is necessary. If one step does not work, go to the next step until the problem is resolved.

1. To use the Windows Update site, you need to set your security settings to Medium. To change your security settings, click Internet Options on the Tools menu in Internet Explorer, click the Security tab, click the Internet zone, click the Medium setting, and then click OK.

   Note: This may also require that the security setting be set to Low.

2. Verify that your copy of Windows 98 is registered. To do so, follow these steps:

   • Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Welcome To Windows.

   • Click Register Now, and then follow the instructions on your screen. If Register Now is not listed, your copy of Windows 98 is already registered.

3. Try to log on to your Internet service provider (ISP) before you attempt to access the Windows Update site.

   Some ISPs require you to log on before opening a browser session. When you log on to an ISP, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is loaded and provides connectivity to the Internet.

   Connecting to the Windows Update site requires an existing TCP/IP session.

4. Use the System File Checker tool to extract a new copy of the Vbscript.dll file from your original Windows 98 CD-ROM or disks to the Windows\System folder.

   NOTE: Be sure to make a back up copy of the Vbscript.dll file when you are prompted to do so.

5. Register the dynamic-link library (DLL) files that are associated with the Windows Update Web site and clear the cache and history:

   • Click Start, and then click Run.

   • Type “regsvr32 c:\windows\system\vbscript.dll” (without the quotation marks), and press ENTER.

   • Type “regsvr32 c:\windows\system\mshtml.dll” (without the quotation marks), and press ENTER.

6. Remove any damaged or poorly written files downloaded from the Internet. To do so, follow these steps:

   • Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart in MS-DOS mode, and then click OK.

   • At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command, and pressing Y if you are prompted to confirm folder deletion.

     NOTE: If you have a cookie that stores a password for a particular Web site, copy the contents of the Cookies folder to a new folder instead of deleting the Cookies folder.

   • To do so, type the following commands at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each command:

   • smartdrv.exe (enter)

   • md (enter)

   • copy c:\windows\cookies\*.* c:\windows\new folder (enter)

   • *where “new folder” is the folder to which you want to copy the contents of the Cookies folder.

   NOTE: Smartdrv.exe is not required to delete these files. It is used only to speed the file deletion process.

   NOTE: If you do not intend to reinstall the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (VM), do not delete the “Win32 Classes” file in the Downloaded Program Files (Downlo~1) folder. Instead, delete every file but the “Win32 Classes” file.

   Type the following commands, touching the enter key after each.

   • cd\windows
   • deltree cookies
   • deltree history
   • deltree tempor~1
   • exit

   NEXT: Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files Or Folders. In the Named box, type “downloaded program files” (without the quotation marks), and then click Find Now. Double-click the Downloaded Program Files folder, right-click a file in this folder, and then click Remove. Continue to remove files from this folder in this manner until all files are removed, and then restart your computer.

   WARNING: Do not delete or use the Deltree command on the Downloaded Program Files folder.

7. Use the System Configuration Utility to determine if a file or program that is loaded into memory is preventing you from loading the Windows Update site.

8. Use System File Checker to replace any changed or damaged system files.

9. Delete the Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup files if they are on your hard disk.

   To do so, follow these steps:

   a. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

   b. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.

   c. In the list of installed programs, click Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0

   Setup Files. If Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup Files is not listed,

   skip this step.

   d. Click Add/Remove, click Yes when you are prompted to remove the files, and then click OK.

   NOTE: If you installed Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 in Microsoft Windows 95, save the uninstall information, and then upgrade to Windows 98, the Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup files remain on your hard disk and you have the ability to remove them using the Add/Remove Programs tool. If you are receiving the “Error Installing Dependency” error message, deleting the Internet Explorer 4.0 Setup files may resolve the error message.

10. Obtain the latest version of the Microsoft Java VM from the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/java/

11. Remove and then reinstall the Active Setup and Windows Update files. To do so, follow these steps:

    • Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

    • Double-click Internet Options.

    • On the General tab click Settings, click View Objects.

    • Locate the following file (if it exists) WUV3IS.DLL. Right click the file and then click Delete.

    • Locate the following files (if they exist). Right-click one of the files, and then click Update.

    • Wusysinfo
    • Wuredirinforb
    • InstallEngineCTL Object

    • When you are prompted to install Active Setup, click Yes.

    • Close the Downloaded Program Files window.

    • Click OK, and then click OK again.

    • Find and then delete the following files:

    • Asctrls.ocx

    • Inseng.dll
    • Wudetect.dll
    • Wupdatto.dll
    • Wuredirb.dll

    Note: To find a file, click Start, point to Find, click “Files or Folders,” type the name of the file you want to find in the Named box, and then click Find Now. To delete a file, right-click it, and then click Delete.

    • Restart your computer, and then connect to the Windows Update site to see if the problem is resolved.

    NOTE: If you are using Internet Explorer 5, connect to the http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com Web site to download the ActiveX components, and then click Windows Update on the Tools menu.

    If the problem persists, download the Microsoft Scripting Engine 5.0 for Internet Explorer from the following Microsoft Web site:

    http://microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corporate.asp

    NOTE: This is the same JScript update that is available on the Windows Update site.

    If the problem persists, you may want to reinstall Windows 98. To do so, use the following steps:

    1. Start your computer with your Windows 98 Startup Disk. If you do not have one you may be able to create one on any computer that has a CD-ROM drive.

    2. Choose “Start computer with CD-ROM support”, and then press ENTER.

    3. At the command prompt, type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

    c: cd progra~1 ren intern~1 interold :

    setup