---------------------------------------------------------------- MANUAL 98lite Professional March 2001 ---------------------------------------------------------------- (c) 98lite.net, 2000 This document is the Installation Manual for 98lite Professional ------------------------ HOW TO USE THIS DOCUMENT ------------------------ IN DOS ------ Type "EDIT 98MANUAL.TXT" or "TYPE 98MANUAL.TXT | MORE" without the quotation marks. IN WINDOWS ---------- To view 98MANUAL.TXT on screen in Notepad, maximize the Notepad window. To print 98MANUAL.TXT, open it in Notepad or another word processor, and then use the Print command on the File menu. ======== CONTENTS ======== INTRODUCTION New In This Version USING THIS MANUAL Searching DOS & Conventions Common DOS Commands SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Hardware Disk Space Requirements for 98lite Installation International Language Modules INSTALLING 98LITE Automatic Installation Manual Installation Upgrading from previous versions USING 98LITE TO INSTALL OR CUSTOMIZE WINDOWS 98 Clean installing Windows 98 with 98lite Clean Installing From a Windows 98 Upgrade CD Configuring Preinstalled Windows 98 with 98lite Upgrading Windows 95 to Windows 98 with 98lite 98micro UN-INSTALLING 98LITE APPENDIX 98lite Command Line Switches Installing Windows 98 With MSBATCH Zip and Other Removable Media with 98lite Windows 98 & 98SE Setup Switches 98lite Versions & Upgrading Files and Directories Removed From Windows With IE Removal Reasserting Windows Registry with 98lite Application Compatibility Without Internet Explorer Known Issues ------------ INTRODUCTION ------------ Thank you for purchasing 98lite Enterprise, we are confident that 98lite will let you realize configurability, stability, performance, security and economy you will not find elsewhere. 98lite is very easy to deploy and employ, many Users and Administrators jump in and get satisfactory results immediately without ever opening the Manual. But, 98lite is not like any other utility in existence, and it's simplicity belies it's power and hidden complexity. We strongly urge you to read the Manual and accompanying documentation, especially the Feature Guide to help you better understand the Components and Subsystems 98lite is modularizing and allowing you to Add/Remove. 98lite Enterprise also offers advanced installation options and compatibility with powerful Microsoft installation Tools like MSBATCH and ZAK. To fully understand and benefit from these features you will have to read this Manual as the Automated features in 98lite take the safest route. To get the most out of Microsoft Windows and 98lite Please take the time now and read or at least skim the pertinent sections of the Manual and spare yourself unnecessary complication and headache. New In This Version ------------------- Windows Millenium Edition Ready! Windows Millenium Edition or "Windows Me" is Microsoft's latest incarnation of windows 9x and includes new "Features" that offer arguable improvements in ease of use with a sacrafice in system control and a lot of bloat in the process. 98lite gives you the option to get things back in shape and really take advantage of some of the truly new (less visable) technology Microsoft is offering in Windows Me. For a complete synopsis of the new features found in Windows Me that Microsoft makes uninstallable defaults see the "98lite FEATURES GUIDE" (98featur.txt), "NEW Windows Me Features" section. Of course all these features are Add/Removable so if you feel you need them back they are there at the click of your mouse. ----------------- USING THIS MANUAL ----------------- This manual is formatted for easy display in most editors; the format is derived from Microsoft README standards and is intended to be navigated with the Search feature in your editor. The manual is organized into standardized headings and markers that exactly mirror the CONTENTS. Searching --------- To jump to the CONTENTS just enter == in your editor's search tool. To jump a specific topic; cut and paste that topic to your search tool. DOS & Conventions ----------------- 98lite and Windows perform their installation and configuration at the DOS level. In most cases 98lite can perform all setup, customization and reconfiguration of Windows automatically. In some cases it may be necessary or desirable to manually configure 98lite and Windows setup; as this will require typing certain commands and text in DOS; the following conventions are used (in this manual) for clarity: Type "COMMAND /SWITCH" means type the text inside the quotes (excluding the quotes) exactly - in this case: COMMAND /SWITCH hit or depress the Return or Enter key on your keyboard "Execute" run a program by typing the name of the program and hitting return - same as double clicking on a program binary, icon or shortcut in Windows. "Navigate" using DOS CD and .. commands to change to the indicated directory. In Windows Explorer, File Manager or using any replacement File Manager open the directory structure to the indicated directory and sub-directorie(s). DOS Commands ------------ Familiarity with the following DOS Commands will help you better understand, use and configure advanced features in 98lite and Windows: CD Change Directory .. Change Directory Back One Level DIR List Directory and Files MD Make Directory RD Remove Directory DEL Delete / Apply switch DELTREE Delete Directory All Contents and Sub-Directories ------------------- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ------------------- Hardware -------- To install 98lite and configure Windows 98: · A 486 with a 33 MHz processor and 4 MB RAM minimum · License for Microsoft Windows 98 or 98se · License for Microsoft Windows 95 (Optional) · Windows Startup Disk with the correct CD-ROM driver · Typical install: 200 MB, < 100 MB after restart and cleanup · Full install: 200 MB, 200 MB after restart · Minimal install (98micro from Network or CD): 50 MB · CD-ROM drive (for installations from CD - Professional only) · Network Card (for Network installation - Professional only) Disk Space Requirements for 98lite Installation ----------------------------------------------- 98lite requires a setup files directory of at least 130 MB for Microsoft Windows CAB files and the 98lite custom installer. In addition to this you require another 50 MB for a minimal 98micro installation, or up to 200 MB for any other configuration installed by 98lite. International Language Modules ------------------------------ Visit http://www.98lite.net/lang.html and download the language module in your language. Simply unzip the module into the setup directory where 98lite has installed itself (default C:\98lite) or the custom directory you have manually copied your setup files to. 98lite will read the file 98LANG.DAT and replace the interface as well as some internal Windows text in your language. ----------------- INSTALLING 98LITE ----------------- Automatic Installation ---------------------- All the work is done for you, if you prefer or require a customized setup like an OEM or VAR installation where the Windows CAB files are left on the installed system for fast re-configuration skip to "Manual Installation' otherwise: · from Windows or DOS execute the 98lite archive; it will require you to enter your Registration Key and then self-extract; the default directory is C:\98lite · navigate to the temporary directory and execute or 'click' on 98LITE.EXE to initialize the setup · follow the on screen prompts to automatically build a Setup directory Manual Installation ------------------- · from Windows or DOS execute the downloaded archive and extract the 98lite files to any valid DOS partition on your hard drive; if you already know that you have or want the Windows Setup files on your system (typically C:\Windows\Options\CABS) extract to this directory by entering it in at the 98lite prompt; default directory is C:\98lite · copy all the files in the "\Win98" directory ONLY on your Windows 98 or 98SE CD to your the directory containing 98lite (do not copy the CHANNELS, OLS, TOUR or CONTENT subdirectories or their contents) · if you intend installing 98micro or 98lite with the higher performance and lighter weight Windows 95 Explorer Shell desktop option (called the SLEEK desktop option in the installer) you will also need to copy the following three Windows 95 files to the setup files directory: EXPLORER.EXE SHELL32.DLL COMDLG32.DLL These need to come from an original Windows 95 CDROM; 95a, or 95b -- Windows 95c has integrated IE4 so files from 95c are not compatible. All three files should have version numbers in the form 4.00.XXXX (NOT 4.72.XXXX or later) in the file properties dialog · once the final Setup directory has all files copied to it, 98lite will make a \98lite subdirectory to store the Windows 95 shell and patched files so they will not need to be recopied or patched again (you may reuse this install directory again and again to clean reinstall Windows · If you are not installing or re-configuring multiple systems, or do not require fast "Shell Swapping" you may safely delete this 98lite subdirectory and all the files it contains; 98lite will make it again whenever you install/reinstall the SLEEK Windows 95 desktop option keeping it saves the extra steps and makes "Shell Swapping" as a rapidly re-configurable option Upgrading from Previous Versions -------------------------------- This section is for users who are currently have a Windows installation modified by 98lite 2.0 or 3.0 beta. · Download the 98pro30.exe file (see below) and decompress to your setup folder or to a temporary folder on your hard drive. · Run 98lite.exe from within windows and select option 2. "Take Control" to get all the great new options in your Windows Add/Remove Options list! (Window Setup Tab on the add/remove programs control panel) · You should also use option 3 "ShellSwap" and select the same configuration as you are using now. This will clean up your install and reset your desktop to the fastest condition for the configuration that you choose. You do NOT have to reinstall Windows - Even for 98Micro. ----------------------------------------------- USING 98LITE TO INSTALL OR CUSTOMIZE WINDOWS 98 ----------------------------------------------- The target partition must have enough space for the Windows Installation Files (130 MB) and enough space for the desired installation profile as follows: Profile Space micro 50 MB sleek 90 MB chubby 110 MB overweight 120 MB The 130MB minimum space required by the Windows Installation Files DOES NOT have to be on the target partition, but must be on a partition (local, remote or CD see: CREATING REMOTE SETUP MEDIA) accessable to the system you are installing to. Clean Installing Windows 98 With 98lite --------------------------------------- You may use 98lite to substantially accelerate the time spent performing "Clean" or new installations of Windows by preventing components and subsystems that will not be used from being installed, this also results in a much smaller and cleaner Windows Registry. Proceed as follows · boot your computer using a Windows 98 CD, Boot disk or any DOS boot disk that loads HIMEM.SYS (loading HIMEM.SYS important to ensure 98lite can load the Smartdrive disk cache) 98lite setup can complete normally without Smartdrive (eventually) but may take up to an hour · format the desired partition you wish to install to: Type "format c:\" · if you have not already installed 98lite (see preceding section: "INSTALLING 98LITE") to a different partition using the automatic or manual installation outlined above then follow the steps in INSTALLING 98LITE now · navigate to the setup files directory; use the DOS command "CD"; for example, if you have let 98lite self-extract to the default directory: Type "C:" to change to the C: drive Type "CD 98SETUP" your prompt should look like this: C:\98Setup> · start 98lite Type "98LITE" · follow the on screen prompts After installation and configuration of Windows the install directory may be manually deleted. Note that if there is no CD access, or you remove access to this install directory you will not be able to perform some updates, application installations, use Add/Remove to reconfigure Windows or any tweaking or reconfiguring of Windows that require access to these original installation files. Having the Windows CAB files on your hard drive saves time having to run after your Windows CD in these instances and your hard drive is obviously much faster than your CDROM. Clean Installing From a Windows 98SE Upgrade CD ----------------------------------------------- Microsoft has release TWO different versions of the Windows 98SE Upgrade CDROM: a COMPLETE-UPGRADE, and a WINDOWS-ONLY-UPGRADE. The original Windows 98 upgrade is only available as a COMPLETE UPGRADE. Please note the following distinctions and differences: COMPLETE-UPGRADE CDROMs can be used from DOS to perform clean installations of Windows 98SE from DOS. These versions can be used to install Windows 98SE cleanly with 98lite. The Windows installer and will only need to check that you have a valid Windows product during the installation. WINDOWS-ONLY-UPGRADE CDROMs lacks the DOS mode installer and can only be used from a pre-existing Windows installation. This version can NOT be used to install Window 98 cleanly from DOS and can NOT be used by 98lite to install 98micro. This "cheap" version is the version Microsoft released from their web site for US $20.00 and mailed out to some registered users for free. If you have this version you will have to perform the upgrade first without 98lite and then use 98lite options 2 or 3 to customize your new Windows 98SE installation. Configuring Pre-installed Windows 98 with 98lite ----------------------------------------------- When configuring an existing Windows 98 installation with 98lite be sure to use Windows CD's and installation files of the same version as the installed version of Windows! The target installation must be stable and in good working order. Using 98lite on problematic installations of Windows may exacerbate outstanding issues. 98lite enhanced installations of Windows are typically much more stable and robust than "stock" Windows installations, and using 98lite enhanced Add/Remove to clean out corrupt and redundant Registry entries is possible (see Appendix: Reasserting Windows Registry with 98lite), 98lite is not, and should not be considered a repair utility. To reconfigure an in place Windows installation with 98lite you will need at least 130 MB free space to perform the operation this space does not have to be on the same partition the Windows installation but must be accessible from it. Proceed as follows: · launch 98lite from in Windows (i.e.. Windows running): navigate to the setup files directory using Windows Explorer and double click on 98LITE.EXE or if 98lite was installed automatically open the Control Panel Add\Remove Programs Applet and double-click on the "98lite Windows Configuration" entry in the installed programs list · follow the on screen prompts. After you select TAKE CONTROL! on the main menu 98lite will install many options to the "windows setup" tab of the control panel Add/Remove applet that allow you to configure your system your way. select the installation and configuration options you want to reconfigure your system(s) After you have run one of 98lite's options for the first time, 98lite will enter itself in the Uninstall Applications list and a menu group will be created in the "Start Menu". Upgrading Windows 95 to Windows 98 With 98lite ---------------------------------------------- Upgrading Windows 95 to Windows 98 is less desirable than installing Windows 98 cleanly. The upgrade process typically results in a system that is less stable and has poorer performance than when cleanly installed. Installing Windows 98 using 98lite does not remove any existing Internet Explorer files from your system. To upgrade Windows 95 to Windows 98 you should: · perform the upgrade installation from the Windows 98 Upgrade CDROM using just Windows 98 WITHOUT 98lite · ensure your system is working properly (test EVERYTHING) · install 98lite using the preceding steps and then use 98lite to customize Windows 98 98micro ------- 98mirco completely eliminates the Microsoft HTML engine (SHDOCVW.DLL, and MSHTML.DLL). You can not run any program that relies on this IE Engine; e.g. Outlook Express, FrontPage, and MS Money are out. But a system with Apache, Netscape, Opera, Pegasus Mail, Gravity, Agent etc. would be just fine! Microsoft Office 97 will install and run beautifully under 98micro! Our tests and diagnostics suggests that 98micro can be 15% to 20% faster than a stock Windows 98 installation. See the 98lite.net Performance Page http://www.98lite.net/perform.html for details. If you find an application that does not work under 98micro, it's possible that: · it requires the MS HTML Engine and you'll have to abandon that application or use the ShellSwap feature of 98lite to swap to a shell containing the IE engine (SLEEK, CHUBBY, or OVERWEIGHT) · a file is simply missing; you may be able to isolate the problem to the specific file and reinstall it (this is common and most often the result of un-installing applications) To isolate missing files go to http:\\www.sysinternals.com and download a program called FileMon; its free!. Run FileMon and then try to start the application or do whatever wouldn't work. FileMon will tell you if something is missing. Most times you can just get this file out of the Windows CABS and put it on your hard disk in the C:\Windows\System directory. ------------------- UNINSTALLING 98LITE ------------------- 98lite includes a fully automated uninstall proceedure enabling complete removeal of 98lite an the modifications it makes to you system. IMPORTANT: un-installing 98lite reverts your system back to the default installation that includes Internet Explorer; the 98lite customizations to the Windows Options list are removed so you will not be able to reinstall or "Add" any of the 98lite modified components if you haven't done so before un-installing 98lite. You should use the "Customize Windows" link in the 98lite Start Menu Group or the "Add/Remove Programs" Control Panel Icon to add back all features you may want to have access to after the un-installation of 98lite. Un-installing 98lite will automatically restore the following features: · Internet Explorer · Internet Connection Wizard · Internet Control Panel Icon · DOS command Files · Task Manager · MS Info · Windows Help Files · Defrag · Scandisk To uninstall 98lite just double click on the "98lite Uninstall" entry in the installed programs list (Control Panel Add\Remove) -------- APPENDIX -------- 98lite Command Line Switches ---------------------------- syntax: 98lite [/ng] [/nc] [] /ng No Graphics - runs 98lite in text only DOS mode. /nc No CabDir Check - The CabDir check is to prevent 98lite using a different set of cab files when multiple versions of windows setup files are stored on the system. The install files used to install the operating system are referenced in the registry by the key: HKLM,Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup SourceDir=X:\XXXX. If the check fails 98lite will prompt you to automatically install the 98lite files in the correct folder. The /nc switch bypasses the check entirely. Zip and Other Removable Media with 98lite ----------------------------------------- Due to their small size and improved performance 98lite enhanced configurations of Windows may be installed to and from Zip and other removable media where there is sufficient space. Removable media must be enable-able as "Bootable" for Windows to boot; Zip media now supports this option, via third party drivers. Windows 98 & 98SE Setup Switches -------------------------------- 98lite will pass any setup switches on to the Windows SETUP.EXE file e.g. 98lite /is /nm will start 98lite and pass these configuration switches to Windows SETUP.EXE /? Provides help for syntax and use of documented Setup command line switches Undocumented: /ID do not check for the minimum disk space required to install Windows 98 /IM skip the check for low conventional memory /IG allows Setup to run on some older Gateway and Micron computers with an early BIOS /NM bypass the check for minimum processor (66MHz 486) /D do not use the existing version of Windows for the early phases of Setup. Use this switch if you have problems starting Setup that might be due to missing or damaged supporting files for Windows 98lite Versions & Upgrading --------------------------- If you have previously installed Windows 98 using an older version of 98lite or if you have removed IE using IE-Remove or IEradicator you may simply install the newest version over the top of your existing setup to gain all the latest features and benefits of the newest version of 98lite, while retaining your existing settings! Files and Directories Removed From Windows With IE Removal ---------------------------------------------------------- When Removing Internet Explorer with WHEN REMOVING INTERNET EXPLORER (OPTION 2) 98LITE WILL UNCONDITIONALLY DELETE THE FOLLOWING DIRECTORIES AND ALL FILES THEY CONTAIN. BACKUP ANY PERSONAL FILES YOU MAY WANT TO KEEP ENGLISH %root%\program files\internet explorer %root%\program files\uninstall information %windir%\application data\microsoft\internet explorer %windir%\application data\microsoft\welcome %windir%\catroot %windir%\cookies %windir%\desktop\online services %windir%\downloaded program files %windir%\favorites %windir%\history %windir%\java %windir%\subscriptions %windir%\temporary internet files %windir%\web GERMAN %root%\programme\internet explorer %root%\programme\uninstall information %root%\programme\online-dienste %windir%\verlauf %windir%\favoriten %windir%\anwendungsdaten\microsoft\internet explorer %windir%\anwendungsdaten\microsoft\welcome %windir%\desktop\online-dienste SWEDISH %root%\program\internet explorer %root%\program\uninstall information %root%\program\onlinetjSnster %windir%\tidigare %windir%\favoriter %windir%\skrivbord\onlinetjSnster ITALIAN %root%\programmi\internet explorer %root%\programmi\uninstall information %windir%\cronologia %windir%\preferiti DUTCH %windir%\geschiedenis %windir%\favorieten FRENCH %windir%\historique %windir%\favoris SPANISH %root%\archivos de programa\internet explorer %root%\archivos de programa\uninstall information %windir%\escritorio\servicios en lfnea %windir%\favoritos %windir%\historial DANISH %root%\programmer\internet explorer %root%\programmer\uninstall information %windir%\foretrukne %windir%\oversigt PORTUGUESE %root%\arquivos de programas\unistall information %root%\arquivos de programas\internet explorer Reasserting Windows Registry with 98lite ---------------------------------------- The Windows Registry is a critical, but also fragile and vulnerable system file that is constantly modified during Windows operation. It is susceptible to corruption and can be the culprit in many Windows failures. If you have trouble-shot a Windows problem to the limit of your resources and patience and are ready to give up and reinstall or have reduced the issue to the registry you may be able to save the "Situation" with 98lite and get things up and running smoothly again without reinstalling. By simply employing 98lite to remove all or selected culprit components with Add/Remove programs, running Microsoft RegClean and/or ScanReg /FIX from MSDOS Mode, and then Adding the components back in you can refresh a specific or even the majority of the registry, eliminating erroneous registry information and often restoring a system to "Like New" performance. Remember you will also delete relevant program data for those Components you Remove and Add back; like Internet Explorer Favorites so be sure and back-up first if you are able. Application Compatibility Without Internet Explorer --------------------------------------------------- Most applications that claim they need IE really only need the MS HTML rendering engine (SHDOCVW.DLL + MSHTML.DLL). Many of these continue to work perfectly under 98lite (incl. Outlook Express, Netmeeting). Many will still work under 98micro, but the specific feature that relied on the IE Engine will be non- operational (e.g. Netmeeting works wonderfully but you can not browse the on-line directory). Known Issues ------------ . A ShellSwap under Windows Me will reboot TWICE, This is by design - the first reboot is needed to deactivate the System File Protection built into Me. The second reboot replaces system files that were in use at the time of file copying. · 98micro installations completely remove the Microsoft HTML layout engine and all support files; HTML help will no longer work, Windows 95 Standard Win32 Help is still installed and supported. This is a feature, not an error. · Windows 98 Original version (IE4) users who have upgraded to IE5+. 98lite can remove IE5, but allow you to keep the newer desktop Explorer files from IE5 (that improve a couple of things on your desktop like how Windows deals with partially hidden toolbars). If you encounter any shell errors you can use the shell swap feature of 98lite and select to REVERT TO THE ORIGINAL Windows 98 SHELL when prompted. This will remove all IE5 versions and version information returning you to the default Windows 98 configuration. ----------------------------------------------------------------