Windows SE Upgrade Is Faster but Has Problems in Shutdown
Q: Question: I have Windows 98 on my computer. Should I upgrade to Windows 98 SE?
--Fariba B., Culver City
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Answer: Windows SE (Second Edition) sells for about $19.95 as an upgrade to Windows 98. According to Microsoft, it includes Internet Explorer 5.0, NetMeeting 3.0 and Media Player 6.1. The bottom line is that Windows SE seems to load applications faster and supports new generations of hardware.
The downside in upgrading to SE is that users report problems with shutting down Windows SE. Microsoft offers a patch on its Web site that should cure this problem. In addition to the patch, Microsoft also posts trouble-shooting tips at https://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q238/0/96.ASP. You might want to look at that site before you upgrade. If an AMD CPU chip running at 350 MHz or faster powers your computer, and the system uses the Via Technologies USB controller, you will need to download a patch so your USB connections will work with Windows SE. The patch can be found at https://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/corporate.asp.
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Q: Is it possible to change the color around Desktop icons? Every so often I change Desktop wallpaper and the colors clash with the icon colors.
--Stuart T., Santa Monica
A: To change the colors Windows uses around Desktop icons right-click on the Desktop and then select Properties. Now click on the Appearance tab. In the Item box locate Desktop (it may already be selected) and then click on Color. Select your new color and click OK. If you don’t see your new color right away, right-click on the Desktop and select Refresh.
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Q: What is the difference between CD-R and CD-RW drives? Which one can I use to back up my hard drive?
--Dan P., Huntington Beach
A: CD-R drives can record music or data and the recorded material stays on the CD-ROM disc. This technology was once called “WORM” (Write Once Read Many). The CD-R drive is useful for recording music tracks and information that doesn’t change.
CD-RW drives, on the other hand, can record music or data over and over again, as many as 1,000 times. This media is great for backing up your hard drive as it overwrites whatever is on the CD-ROM disc each time you perform a backup operation.
You should be able to buy CD-R discs for 40 cents to 50 cents each in quantities of 100. CD-RW discs can cost about $1 or more in quantities.
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Jeff Levy can be reached at jefflevykfi@hotmail.com.
