--Ed Bott
Dean Andrews is a freelance writer living in Boston. After receiving a bachelor's degree in computer science from the University of California at Berkeley, he worked as a software developer at IBM and was a systems consultant to small businesses in the San Francisco Bay area. In 1991, he joined the computer press and has worked on staff at InfoWorld, as a Senior Test Developer, and PC World, as the Manager of Usability Testing. Now, as a freelance writer, he frequently contributes to a variety of publications including PC World, Macworld, and Boston.com, the on-line hub of the Boston Globe. Mr. Andrews also is a contributing author in Peter Norton's Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs and Windows 98 Installation and Configuration Handbook.
Ty Belknap has been in the computer industry for over six years, working as a hardware technician, technical support advisor, and software support engineer. He helped launch the Windows 95 help desk for Microsoft, and vowed to "never do it again." He currently is a support engineer for a government agency in Washington state. He is spending his free time obtaining his MCSE, and currently holds MCPs in Windows 95 and Networking Essentials. Ty can be reached by email at wrldbuld@blarg.net.
Ed Bott is a best-selling author and award-winning computer journalist with more than 10 years' experience in the personal computer industry. As senior contributing editor of PC Computing, he is responsible for the magazine's extensive coverage of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Microsoft Office. From 1991 until 1993, he was editor of PC Computing, and for three years before that he was managing editor of PC World magazine. Ed has written numerous books for Que Publishing, including the "User Friendly" editions of Using Windows 95 and Using Microsoft Office 97.
Ed is a two-time winner of the Computer Press Award, most recently for PC Computing's annual Windows SuperGuide, a collection of tips, tricks and advice, for users of Windows 95 and Windows NT. He lives in Redmond, Washington, with his wife, Judy Merrill, and two incredibly smart and affectionate cats, Katy and Bianca.
Kyle Bryant, Microsoft MVP for NT and Operating Systems, is the owner of a Dallas-based PC network integration firm and has over 15 years' experience in the personal computer industry. He was an early advocate of the Microsoft Windows platform and continues to follow Windows technology developments under Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT.
Phil Callihan is the WAN Administrator at the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), a research and development consortium based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Phil has six years' of experience with Microsoft products and holds both the MSCE and MCT certifications from Microsoft. In addition to his employment at NCMS, he works as a consultant and performs training in Microsoft Networking and Internet technologies. He is a 1993 graduate of the University of Michigan. Phil lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife, Lisa, and their dog, Tribble. Phil can be reached on the Internet at philc@ncms.org and on his home page (http://mis.ncms.org/philc/phil.htm).
Michael Desmond is a senior associate editor at PC World magazine and author of Peter Norton's Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs. He is also president of the Computer Press Assocation, an organization of working editors, writers, and producers covering computing issues and the computer industry. He is a contributor to both the Special and Platinum Editions of Using Windows 98, and was co-author of Platinum Edition: Using Windows 95. Michael lives in Vermont with his wife, Anne, and two sons, Kevin and Patrick.
Christopher Gagnon is a network analyst and consultant with an Atlanta-based software development firm. He has worked with Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM, and several practice management firms in the healthcare industry. He has served as network administrator on several occasions and knows only too well the politics and technical nuances of this unique environment. When he's not reading trade magazines and technical manuals, he enjoys playing his didgeridoo, chasing his cat, and reading about theoretical physics. He currently resides in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, Georgia, with his wife, Keshly, and their daughter, Paige.
Theresa Hadden, MCSE, MCT, has over 10 years of system administration experience using Novell, UNIX, and Windows NT. She is currently teaching in the MCSE program at a local college where she teaches core courses and Internet products, both in the classroom and via the Internet. In addition, she does consulting for organizations with Windows NT and Novell networks. She is actively involved in the design and implementation of online courses, which includes instructor access using audio conferencing via the Internet. She is the mother of two sons and lives in New Mexico.
Jerry Honeycutt provides business-related technical leadership to the Internet community and software development industry. He has served companies such as The Travelers, IBM, Nielsen North America, IRM, Howard Systems International, and NCR. Jerry has participated in the industry since before the days of Microsoft Windows 1.0, and is completely hooked on Windows 95 and the Internet.
Jerry is the author of Using the Internet with Windows 95, Windows 95 Registry & Customization Handbook, Special Edition Using the Windows 95 Registry, VBScript by Example, Special Edition Using the Internet 3E, Using the Internet 2E, and Windows NT and Windows 95 Registry and Customization Handbook published by Que. He has been printed in Computer Language magazine and is a regular speaker at the Windows World and Comdex trade shows on topics related to software development, Windows 95, and the Internet.
Feel free to contact Jerry on the Internet at jerry@honeycutt.com or visit his web site at http://rampages.onramp.net/~jerry.
Dennis Jones's first desktop computer was a North Star Horizon, which in 1981 began his long fascination with microcomputers. He is co-author of Que's Special Edition Using Microsoft FrontPage 98, and has contributed to several other Que titles. He is a freelance technical writer, software trainer, writing instructor, and also a published novelist. He lives near Ottawa, Canada.
Grant King is a software developer, author, and attorney who lives in Atlanta with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Elizabeth. He has been either the lead author or a contributing author on several books and articles relating to 32-bit Windows operating systems and software development. He also maintains The Windows Mill, a web site devoted to news about Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT. Grant received his B.A. from The University of the South and his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law where he graduated magna cum laude. His email address is ggking3@mindspring.com.
Curtis Knight is a senior quality assurance analyst, technical writer, and technical editor. Curtis lives in Vancouver, Washington. By day he works in Symantec Corporation's Beaverton, Oregon, development site. At night he is a freelance writer and technical editor for Macmillan Computer Publishing.
Curtis's overall computer industry experience includes MIS, technical support, data recovery, quality assurance, technical writing, and technical editing. Like most computer professionals, he is his family's personal computer consultant. He is currently training his 11-year-old son to take over the family consulting responsibilities.
Dan Logan is an award-winning freelance writer, book publisher, technical writer, and journalist from Cambria, California. He has contributed to a number of computer books, including Que's Using PCs. He has also published a regional book, The Computer Resource Guide: San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria, and is publisher of a regional web site and newsletter called the Tri-tip Computer News (http://www.thegrid.net/dlogan). Dan's articles have appeared in more than 40 magazines and newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle. He is on the board of directors of Softec, the Central Coast Software and Technology Association.
Larry Passo is a principal systems engineer for QuickStart Technologies, a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner and Authorized Technical Education Center, at their headquarters in Newport Beach, California. With over 20 years of experience in the computer industry as a software developer, design engineer, and network specialist, Larry holds certifications as both a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Trainer. He provides advanced-level consulting and training for a variety of Microsoft operating systems and the Microsoft BackOffice family of products, and is a Contributing Writer for Microsoft Certified Professional magazine. Larry and his wife, Debra, live in Irvine, California.
Ron Person has written more than 20 books for Que Corporation, including the best-selling original editions of Special Edition Using Microsoft Word 97 and Special Edition Using Microsoft Excel 97. He was lead author for the original editions of the best-selling Special Edition Using Windows 95 and Platinum Edition Using Windows 95. He has an M.S. in physics from Ohio State University and an M.B.A. from Hardin-Simmons University. Ron was one of Microsoft's original Consulting Partners and Microsoft Solution Providers.
James Portanova, CNE, is a self-employed computer programmer and consultant who has earned a CTIA A+ certified technician rating. He owns Network Consulting Services, which specifies, installs, configures, maintains, and troubleshoots Local Area Networks for small- to medium-sized business and professional clients. He also is the owner of Hot Properties Software, the programming and reselling arm of his business.
James earned a B.A. in English and philosophy from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, in 1976. He is the author of the 1996 "Career Focus" feature article for LAN Times. James is currently involved in completing the requirements for the MCSE+Internet track.
Paul Sanna has been using PCs for almost 10 years, and he has been using Windows NT since its first Beta program. Paul is a project manager in the development department of Hyperion Software, Stamford, CT, where he works on the company's line of client/server financial accounting software. He has co-authored three books on Windows 95, Understanding Windows 95, Inside Windows 95 (New Riders), and The Windows Installation and Configuration Handbook (Que). Paul has a degree in English from Boston University. He lives in Bethel, CT, with his wife, Andrea, his twin daughters, Rachel, and Allison, and their new sister, Victoria. He can be reached on the Internet at psanna@ix.netcom.com.
Rob Tidrow is a writer, web-site designer, trainer, and president of Tidrow Communications, Inc., a firm specializing in content creation and delivery. Rob has authored or co-authored over 25 books on a wide variety of computer topics, including Windows 95, Netscape Communicator 4, Windows NT, and Microsoft Internet Information Server 4.0. He authored Windows 95 Registry Troubleshooting, Windows NT Registry Troubleshooting, and Implementing and Supporting Windows 95, all published by New Riders, and Windows 95 Installation and Configuration Handbook, published by Que. You can reach him on the Internet at rtidrow@iquest.net.
Keith Underdahl is an electronic publishing specialist for Ages Software in Albany, Oregon, where he produces electronic versions of classic texts on CD-ROM. Keith is also a prolific author and personal computing consultant, and has served as technical editor on numerous titles from Que. When he is not goofing off with computers, Keith is a road tester and regular contributor to Street Bike, a motorcycle magazine serving the western United States.
Robert Voss is an independent software trainer with extensive experience training in Windows 95, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel. Bob has worked with Ron Person on several of Que's bestselling books, including Special Edition Using Word 6 for Windows, Special Edition Using Microsoft Excel 97, and the Using Windows 95 books.
Robert Ward is best known as the founder of the C/C++ Users Journal, Windows Developers Journal, and System Administrator. In addition to writing numerous technical articles for these and other magazines he has also authored Debugging C (Que) and co-authored Windows Custom Controls. He has worked as a consulting digital engineer and was named Professor of the Year while teaching computer science at McPherson College.
John West is a Managing Consultant at IntelliNet Corporation (www.intelli.net), based in Atlanta. IntelliNet is a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner and ATEC, specializing in infrastructure planning, deployment, and support. John is an MCSE, MCSD, MCT, and CNE. When he's not designing large NT-based network deployments, he enjoys creating web sites with ASP and programming with Visual Basic. He likes to write programs that help administer and monitor the networks he's implementing. To relax, he enjoys boating at Lake Lanier and hanging out with his friends from church. Contact John at johnw@intelli.net.
Craig Zacker has been employed as a network administrator, a technical writer and editor, a webmaster, a technical support engineer and supervisor, a courseware developer, and a freelance network consultant. He now spends most of his time tinkering with computers and writing about them. His previous credits for Que include Special Edition Using NetWare 4.1, Platinum Edition Using Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Advanced Technical Reference, and Upgrading and Repairing Networks, among others. He can be reached at craigz@tiac.net.
A book of this size and scope doesn't just happen overnight. It takes a hard-working team of professionals to put all the pieces together. Literally dozens of people--co-authors, editors, designers, proofreaders, technical reviewers, and others--had a hand in the making of this book. It's impossible to thank them all personally, but a few deserve special thanks for special efforts.
It was a pleasure to work with Development Editor Mark Cierzniak, who succeeded at the unenviable job of keeping the entire team focused on a single objective. Thanks, too, to Executive Editor Jeff Koch for his leadership and astute insights into Windows 98 (and for several pounds of excellent coffee, which arrived just in the nick of time), and to Acquisitions Editor Jane Brownlow, who managed the tight editorial schedule with grace and good humor.
Technical Editors Robert Bogue, Ron Ellenbecker, Kyle Bryant, Walter Glenn, and Henly Wolin checked the manuscript for accuracy and added valuable insights in several key chapters. Behind the scenes, Copy Editor Audra McFarland did a marvelous job of smoothing the rough edges so that this book is easier to read, and Project Editor Chris Morris made sure all the pieces wound up on all the right pages.
I owe a special debt to the many beta testers of Windows 98, who shared their insights and discoveries freely (and occasionally sacrificed their PCs for the cause). And I couldn't have written this book without the unwavering support of Paul Somerson of PC Computing, who challenged me years ago to become a Windows expert.
Finally, a very big thank you to Claudette Moore and Debbie McKenna of Moore Literary Agency, for handling all the boring but essential business details so I could concentrate on Windows 98.
Ed Bott
As an upgrade to the best-selling software package in history, Windows 98 has a tough act to follow. The original release of Windows 95 revolutionized the computer industry, and today Windows is the undisputed standard for personal computing. It's virtually impossible to buy a PC without Windows, and there are thousands of productivity programs, utilities, and games that assume your PC is running Windows.
Windows 98 doesn't look dramatically different from its predecessor, but under the hood it's packed with changes that make computing and communication easier. The same is true with this book: Platinum Edition Using Windows 98 adheres to the same high standards as its best-selling predecessors, but between the covers the content is all new for Windows 98. Microsoft has produced a major upgrade to Windows 95, and we've produced a brand-new volume designed to help you work effortlessly and productively with its new features and capabilities.
It doesn't matter how you use Windows 98 and Internet Explorer 4.0. If your family shares a home computer for work and play, you'll find plenty of help here. If you dial in to a local Internet service provider, we can help you make smoother, faster connections. We've also included detailed information that can help you integrate your computer into a business network, whether your business is a simple storefront or a far-flung multinational corporation. This book includes all the content you'll find in the best-selling Special Edition Using Windows 98, plus six all-new chapters, two new appendixes, and dozens of expert-level tips and updates throughout the book. All of this new material is aimed exclusively at the needs of advanced users and network administrators.
This book was designed and written expressly for intermediate and advanced Windows users who understand the importance of keeping up with advances in technology. Platinum Edition Using Windows 98 contains detailed information about every aspect of Windows 98, including setup, customization, troubleshooting, and networking. You'll find complete coverage of Internet Explorer here as well, from basic web browsing to advanced security topics. And Platinum Edition Using Windows 98 also includes step-by-step instructions on how to find and install online updates.
Platinum Edition Using Windows 98 is a comprehensive reference that makes it easy for you to accomplish any task quickly and effectively. To help organize this enormous breadth of coverage, we've divided the book into eight parts, beginning with the essentials and progressing to more specialized or advanced subjects.
Part I: Getting Started
This part covers the absolute essentials of Windows 98 and Internet Explorer 4.0. Pay particular attention to Chapter 1, "What's New in Windows 98?," which includes an overview of significant new features in Windows 98, including Internet Explorer 4.0. You will find the basics of starting and quitting Windows as well as controlling the operating system to help you accomplish your tasks. Windows 98 also includes a new HTML-based help system; you'll find details about the changes in Chapter 4, "Getting Help."
Part II: Working with Files and Folders
Windows 98 completely replaces the original Windows Explorer with a single browser that lets you manage files, folders, and web pages in the same window. Read Chapter 5, "An Overview of the Windows Desktop Update," for step-by-step instructions on how to configure the new Windows interface, including the controversial Active Desktop. This section also introduces Windows 98's new set of file-management tools. You'll learn basic and advanced techniques for working with programs, files, and folders, whether they're stored on a local disk or on a corporate network. You'll also find detailed information to help you customize the new Explorer and manage associations between data files and programs.
When Windows 95 was released, gigabyte-class hard drives were an expensive novelty. Today, even entry-level PCs include several gigabytes of storage. The most efficient way to partition and format large hard drives is to use the FAT32 file system, and Windows 98 includes a utility that can safely convert existing drives to FAT32. Chapter 9, "Working with Disks and Drives," explains this important new feature.
Part III: Working with Applications
There are literally tens of thousands of applications available for Windows 98. Collectively, they give you the power to organize your thoughts, communicate with other people, run a business of any size, and even create your own custom applications. This section covers the essentials of installing, running, and managing applications--including 32-bit Windows programs as well as older 16-bit Windows and MS-DOS programs. You'll also find details about applets included with Windows itself. And you'll learn how to make any application work well with local and network printers.
Part IV: Managing your System
Exclusively in Platinum Edition Using Windows 98, you'll find in-depth instructions for safely editing the Windows Registry (see Chapter 20, "Advanced Registry Hacks," for a treasure trove of advanced tips and techniques). Windows 98 also lets you automate routine tasks using VBScript and JavaScript. In the past, scripts written in these languages would only run in a browser window; Chapter 21 shows how to use the Windows Scripting Host to run these mini-programs by simply clicking an icon.
Part V: Configuring and Customizing Windows
Windows owes a large measure of its enormous popularity to its impressive flexibility. This section exhaustively details how you can modify Windows 98 to suit your personal preferences. Add new hardware, reconfigure existing peripherals, set multimedia options, and troubleshoot your system. Customize the Windows desktop, Start menu, and taskbar. Change the colors, fonts, and background images to make Windows more visually appealing. Reset the many system-level options that help define how Windows works, from which keyboard layout and language you prefer to which sounds play in response to system events. Understanding and configuring power management features are also explained.
Part VI: Windows Internet Services
In just a few years, the Internet has evolved into a crucial source of information for tens of millions of people, and increasingly it's a major force in banking, commerce, and stock trading. This comprehensive section details all of Windows 98's Internet-related features. It covers every aspect of Internet connectivity, from setting up a dial-up connection to configuring TCP/IP options to downloading files from FTP servers. If you've got questions about the World Wide Web, email, newsgroups, or Internet security, you'll find the answers here.
This section also covers Windows 98's Personal Web Server, which lets you turn any Windows 98 PC into a full-featured web host for use on a corporate network; it's also ideal for staging a personal web site that you plan to upload to an Internet service provider.
Part VII: Windows Network Services
Even a two-person office can benefit from Windows' capability to communicate and share files over a network. In this section, we cover the full range of network topics: setting up a simple workgroup; sharing resources on a small network; setting up Windows 98 as a client on larger networks with Novell NetWare and Windows NT servers. Chapter 41, "Windows 98 Network Administration," is exclusive to Platinum Edition Using Windows 98.
Part VII: Appendixes
If you're upgrading from Windows 95, look here for details on how to install Windows 98 (on one system or throughout an entire department) and how to find and install the most recent patches and updates.
Que has over a decade of experience writing and developing the most successful computer books available. With that experience, we've learned what special features help readers the most. Look for these special features throughout the book to enhance your learning experience.
Note
Notes present interesting or useful information that isn't necessarily essential to the discussion. This secondary track of information enhances your understanding of Windows, but you can safely skip notes and not be in danger of missing crucial information. Notes look like this:
NOTE: Be careful not to add too much to your taskbar. If you do, you might find yourself spending more time searching your taskbar than it would take to just browse to the file, application, or shortcut the old-fashioned way.
To gain maximum benefit from toolbars and Quick Launch, implement them only for those programs you use frequently. If you access a file or program once a week or less, think twice before establishing a toolbar or Quick Launch icon.
Tip
Tips present short advice on quick or often overlooked procedures. These include shortcuts that save you time. A Tip looks like this:
TIP: Select multiple items on the desktop by clicking the desktop and dragging the selection rectangle that displays so that it surrounds the items. Release to select all objects within the rectangle.
Caution
Cautions serve to warn you about potential problems that a procedure might cause, unexpected results, and mistakes to avoid.
CAUTION: When the Task Scheduler brings up the Backup utility, you have to run the proper backup job. The Task Scheduler only runs the Backup utility; it doesn't perform the actual backup.
Troubleshooting
No matter how carefully you follow the steps in the book, you eventually come across something that just doesn't work the way you think it should. Troubleshooting sections anticipate these common errors or hidden pitfalls and present solutions. A Troubleshooting section looks like this:
TROUBLESHOOTING:When I use the Windows Setup feature to add new components, it adds those components, but it also removes other components. Why? If you clear a check box for a component that was checked, this tells Windows to remove the component when you run Windows Setup rather than to not install it. This can be confusing the first time you run Setup again to add new components. Leave those components that are already installed checked unless you want to uninstall them.
Cross References
Throughout the book, you see references to other sections and pages in the book (like the one that follows this paragraph). These cross references point you to related topics and discussions in other parts of the book. They also point to Internet references where you can find out additional information about topics.
In addition to these special features, several conventions are used in this book to make it easier to read and understand. These conventions include the following.
Underlined Hot Keys, or Mnemonics
In this book, hot keys appear underlined as they appear onscreen. In Windows, many menus, commands, buttons, and other options have these hot keys. To use a hot key shortcut, press Alt and the key for the underlined character. For example, to choose the Properties button, press Alt and then R.
Shortcut Key Combinations
In this book, shortcut key combinations are joined with plus signs (+). For example, Ctrl+V means hold down the Ctrl key and then press the V key.
Menu Commands
Instructions for choosing menu commands have this form: Choose File, New. This example means open the File menu and select New, which is one way to open a new file.
Instructions involving the Windows 98 Start menu are an exception. When you are to choose something through the Start menu, the form is as follows: Open the Start menu and choose Programs, Accessories, WordPad. In this case, you open the WordPad word processing accessory. Notice that in the Start menu you simply drag the mouse pointer and point at the option or command you want to choose (even through a whole series of submenus); you don't need to click anything.
This book also has the certain typeface enhancements to indicate special text, as described in the following table.
| Typeface | Description |
| Italic | Italic is used to indicate terms and variables in commands or addresses. |
| Boldface | Bold is used to indicate text you type, as well as Internet addresses and other locators in the online world. |
| MYFILE.DOC | Filenames and directories are set in all caps to distinguish them from regular text, as in MYFILE.DOC. |
Monospace |
Mono indicates screen messages, code listings, and command samples. |
| Underline | Underline indicates keyboard hot keys. For example, to choose the Properties button, press Alt and then R. |
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