Installation Tips
Cleanup of Windows95 Pre-Installed by OEM
Platform: Windows 95
User Level: Intermed.
Submitted by: Andy Hutton
Manufactures who pre-install Windows
95 such as Compaq and IBM install unwanted drives in the Registry. PC does NOT
have a CD-ROM- Check Registries for CD-ROM driver loaded in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run for
MSCDEX.EXE. PC does NOT have a Modem - Remove Dial-up Adapter from the Network
under Control Panel.
Disable Virus Protection in BIOS
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
Submitted by: Frank Gregory
When installing W95/NT, be sure to
disable the virus protection in your system BIOS if you have it. Not doing so
will give the same effect as having a software anti-virus program loaded.
First Time Password
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
When Windows asks you for a password
when it boots for the first time, just enter your user name and skip entering a
password. Then, you'll never be bothered by it again. A password in this box
won't protect any of the files on your local machine. It's only useful for
logging onto network resources on a LAN.
IE 4.0 impossible downgrade
Platform: Windows 95
User Level: Intermed.
Submitted by: Glenn Eckard
It is almost impossible to down grade from IE 4.0 to IE 3.02. I
have the solver for the problem. 1. Use the win95 uninstall to uninstall
whatever IE version you now have installed. 2. Reboot the computer and press F8
when "Starting Windows 95" is displayed. 3. From the startup menu
choose command prompt only. 4. Type the following lines at the command prompt.
cd\windows (substitute your Windows directory name if it is not Windows)
smartdrv, deltree tempor~1, deltree history, CD system, ren mshtml.dll
mahtml.old, ren shdocwv.dll shdocwv.old, ren inetcfg.dll, netcfg.old, ren
actxprxy.dll actxprxy.old, ren wininet.dll wininet.old, ren cachevu.dll
cachevu.old, ren inetcpl.cpl inetcpl.old, ren shiwapi.dll shiwapi.old, ren
url.dll url.old, ren urlmon.dll urlmon.old, ren wsock32n.dll wsock32n.old.
Restart Windows 95 and then reinstall whatever version of Internet Explorer you
are using.
Installing New Programs
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
When installing new programs to work
with Windows 95, try using the Installation Wizard by going to Control Panel,
Add/Remove Programs, then clicking the Install/Uninstall tab.
Installing the Bare Minimum
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
When using the Custom Setup option,
don't install anything unless you're sure you need it. You can always go back
and install the wallpaper, games, additional communications options, or
anything else later by clicking on the Add/Remove Program icon in the Control
Panel.
Installing Win95 from an Upgrade Version
Platform: Windows 95
User Level: Intermed.
Submitted by: Benoit Bourgeault
To install Windows 95 from an upgrade version, simply create in your root directory (c:\), using an ASCII editor(e.g. DOS edit.exe), these two files : win386.exe and gdi.exe.
Modify Registry to Auto-Point to CAB
Folder
Platform: Windows 95
User Level: Intermed.
Submitted by: Bruce Leypoldt
Press Start. Press Run. Key in
"Regedit" and press OK. Double-Click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
Double-Click on SOFTWARE folder. Double-Click on Microsoft folder. Double-Click
on Windows folder. Double-Click on CurrentVersion folder. Double-Click on Setup
folder. Click on "down" arrow key on Right Panel until you see the
"SourcePath" entry. Right-Click on SourcePath. Click on Modify. Key
in Path that contains folder for CAB files. Click OK. Click on Registry at top,
left side of window. Click on Exit.
Power on Peripherals
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
Make sure that any external devices
(like printers, scanners, etc.) are plugged in and turned on before you install
Windows 95. This makes it easier for Windows to detect them an install the
proper drivers.
Quick Install
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
If you are always installing new
software, make it easy on yourself by creating shortcuts on your desktop to
A:\SETUP.EXE and A:\INSTALL.EXE. Now when you have a new program, you can now
just click on the appropriate short cut.
Stop asking me for Win95 disk !!
Platform: Windows 95
User Level: Intermed.
Submitted by: Larry Ellison
After copying the Cab files to a
directory on your hard drive open Regedit.exe and hit Ctrl-F. Type Sourcepath.
Regedit should take you to My
Computer\HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup.
Pick edit, modify and type the path to the Cabinet files. Example;
C:\Windows\Win95\. Exit Regedit and restart Windows. Now when you make changes
on your computer, Windows 95 will not ask for the Windows disks.
Upgrading to Windows 95
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
Even though Windows 95 will install
smoothly over a previous version of Windows, your system will run better if you
back up your data, reformat your hard drive, and install Windows 95 on a clean
hard drive.
Using Custom Setup
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
Even though Windows 95 gives you different
setup options, choose custom setup and verify all the settings it thinks you
might want. You'll usually end up selecting a more exact driver for certain
hardware devices.
Using Local CAB Files
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Intermed.
If you change your Windows 95
settings frequently, you can copy all the CAB files from the WIN95 folder on
your Windows 95 Installation CD to a folder on your computer (like WIN95CABS).
That way, you won't have to search for the Windows 95 CD every time you want to
add a new program, driver, etc. The CAB files take up about 34 MB. When Windows
95 looks for the CAB files, simply point it to the new folder!
Virus Software and Setup
Platform: Windows 95/98/NT
User Level: Beginner
Be sure to disable any
virus-checking software before you install Windows 95. Virus checking software
will sometimes interfere with setup programs that need to create or modify
system files.