"Zilbandy" <zilbandy@comcastREMOVETHIS.net> wrote in message
news:8eb2b4ds6hibi1vh3bo7fk7iao7j3adjab@4ax.com...
| I just drug out the old P3 800mhz Dell from the closet, hooked it up
| and it booted right up.
Now, all I need to do is get everything
| cleaned up so my son can use it for some older DOS games and minimal
| Internet browsing. Does anyone have any thoughts on software... cheap
| or, better yet, freeware versions of Anti Virus, firewall and backup
| software? My initial thoughts are AVG free, but I hear that 7.5 is the
| last version to support 98, and it's not being supported with new
| updates. I'll probably use and older version of Zone Alarm since
| that's what it currently has, and it still appears to work. I also am
| considering Acronis True Image. I have both version 7 and 10 available
| to me. Any comments welcome. Gosh, it was great seeing that old
| machine boot up. ::big grin:: Now, if I could only remember what I
| used to know about Win98.
|
| --
| Zilbandy
First it depends upon the amount of memory installed, and CPU and connection
speed. Second, on what you think you need.
..
NEEDED
A generally recommended A-V is Awil Software's Avast, still free and at
present has no indications of ending support [AFAIK]. Most newer A-V
programs now include *on-access* protections, hence they require much more
memory and CPU speed/time slices, though the trade off is that these scan
ALL activities.
SpyWare Blaster [javacool software] provides protections with no load on
memory or system resources [it uses the registry to block many unwanted
things].
They also provide SpyWare Guard which blocks/monitors additional web coding
Old versions of Agnitum, Kerio PF {or Tiny}, Sygate, Jetico (difficult to
setup but *very* discriminating), as well as several newer firewalls will
provide basic protection. A manually setup RULES based firewall provides
better protection than the old "Is this Okay, then all activity is allowed"
style. Software Firewalls monitor software access - in and out, something
that hardware [like routers and NATs] can not do.
A HOSTS file can be used to block thousands of advertising sites,
questionable or known BAD sites, cookies, and other so that is a
recommended installation. MDGx has a large HOSTS file available which
provides lots of protection though it does, at times, change web page
presentations and block sites which you may visit. It is easy to modify
though [its a text style file] should that become necessary.
OPTIONAL
WinPatrol provides system monitoring [like HOSTS, settings, and system
files], and there are several other like programs.
Windows Washer {or a like program or batch file} cleans up temp files,
cookies, and other from Internet contact.
There are also other "tools" you can use like: web proxies, network
proxies, DNS proxies, etc which can be used to filter and monitor local and
Internet traffic. You can also use an old computer to setup a stand-alone
local server [several free linux based available] to add yet another level
of protection.
And, there are/were third party applications/programs which could be
installed to provide file encryption, folder and file access/exclusions
[like the NT environments], and of course "policies".
SUMMATION
It all depends upon what you want to achieve and how protected you wish to
be.
The update status of 9X is important. Though not a supported OS, it should
be updated to the highest standard available. This brings to some using
98SE, the idea for un-official modifications/installations based largely
upon XP and 2000 files from recent updates to those NT systems. One should
take specific notice that these are NOT standard, may interfere with or
destroy a system as they are generally NOT tested to the extent that the
official updates were, nor can they be {for the most part} verified as
providing the same level of protection in 9X as they would in the NT OSs
[many/they require aspects not found in 9X for any/full functioning]..
QuickTime and Real Player have not been supported in 9X so they should be
disabled or disallowed Internet access, or removed.
Adobe Reader was updated to 6.6 for 98SE, however it did contain
vulnerabilities, so it should never be allowed to download pages to its
BHO/interface. You can also use something like FoxIt Reader. It is suggested
to download all PDFs [check the link, right click, save target as] and open
OFF-LINE/disconnected. So disable any PDF application access to the
Internet.
You should note that many sites now use JAVA and Flash for a number of
functions previously offered via standard html coding. These sites will or
may not function properly and they are generally slow loading.
Sun's JAVA has been supported to {presently} 1.0.5.16 for 9X. IF you need
JAVA for specific sites, make sure all older versions have been removed, and
setup the browsers to ASK for its usage.. You also should go into its setup
and check/enable ONLY the functions you need, disabling the rest.
Flash has not been supported for some time now in 9X, last version was
9,0,124,0 IIRC. Disable or remove if at all possible.
ShockWave is also unsupported.
Also, basic settings in browsers can have a significant impact on your
security by limiting scripting and other like aspects. Numerous web pages
exist which describe the procedures. And lastly, using a supported browser
will generally provide better protection, though using something like
Offbyone or another limited browser may supply basic access.
BACKUP software:
Imaging is a better alternative.
There are a number of imaging/backup programs available which, depending
upon your needs, intended OSs, and storage media will provide the function.
True Image 7 is nice.
Nero has/had a backup/imaging program included in version 6+.
Partionsaving.com has a free DOS based imaging program.
BootItNG allows imaging.
IF the system is stable, then image it BEFORE installing any of those games
and other software.
GAMING
You may want to check what version of DirectX is installed via MSINFO32 or
DXDIAG {in the system folder or Program Files depending upon the version
installed}. 9.0c is the last supported version in 98SE though OLDER games
may not work with it correctly, so 8.1 may be preferred.
Dos Games
As for DOS based games, make sure that you have the proper entries for your
sound card and gaming controller installed, and their entries in the
autoexec.bat and possibly the config.sys. IF CDROM based games, then you
will also need the CD driver installed via the config.sys with its companion
autoexec.bat.[mscdex.exe]. Also a DOS based mouse driver in either the
config.sys or autoexec.bat..
config.sys would look something like this:
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\himem.sys
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\emm386.exe /ram /v
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICE={CDROM driver and switches - the oakcd driver from a boot/recovery
floppy works with most drives}
DEVICEHIGH={DOS sound card driver}
autoexec.bat would look something like this:
C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\mscdex.exe {switches}
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D3 T4
LH C:\WINDOWS\ASP4DOS.COM {this is for an Aureal card}
@ECHO OFF
SET temp=c:\temp {both should reflect an available temp folder}
SET tmp=c:\temp
SET PATH={the path statements}
You CAN use the Restart in MSDOS Mode, but you will need to modify the
settings for config.sys and autoexec.bat used during the process.
SEE:
C:\WINDOWS\MSDOSDRV.TXT
C:\WINDOWS\MS-DOS Mode for Games with EMS and XMS Support.pif
C:\WINDOWS\MS-DOS Mode for Games.pif
C:\WINDOWS\dosstart.bat
and Windows Help.
******
Hope this helps...
--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
--
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