I wasn't really sure where to put this. I need to work on someones computer tomorrow and they are using Windows 98 (not sure if it is 98 or 98 SE.) I would like to get them to use Linux but I am not sure that will work out at all (they are 69-70's) and they are not close by for me to help if they have any problems.

So I need to scan the computer and try and fix it. I am not really sure how I am going to do any of this with an outdated OS like that. So my thoughts where of using a Linux Livecd to at least scan the computer for viruses, etc.

What one would work out the best for a computer that old? I am guessing the computer was brand new in 1998 or if it is a couple of years older then that and they upgraded from Win95 to Win98.

I looked for programs to help with it but... So I need to do it all through Linux. Problem is I don't think there are any native and updated Windows 98 firewalls, anti-virus, etc for it and I don't like that at all.

For a computer from the mid to late 90's, what would be a good light Linux distro I could use if by some strange chance I can get one installed? They use the computer for basic things, like email, browsing, basic games, etc. I think they have DSL, I hope they don't have dial up. I had worked on an XP computer a couple of months ago that had dial up and this person hadn't updated anything in a few years. It took to long with dial up so it was never done, lol.

Your best bet is to backup and reinstall windows.
There are several firewalls and anti virus for windows 98
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/0...nd-windows-me/
You could install firefox.
If they agree to use linux, you can use puppy, dsl, tiny linux, debian with xfce....
However, if you can't give good support, I would keep windows.

Hi,

I would look at 'The LiveCD List'.

I would not worry about virus, Trojans or the like when working with GNU/Linux. Nothing from a M$ standpoint is going to effect the operation. Plus your going to wipe the drive?

You could use 'KNOPPIX', 'UBCD' or even 'SystemRescueCD' to identify the hardware or diagnosis. You should look at using some older versions of a distribution basically because of legacy hardware. Some current distributions like KNOPPIX might recognize some legacy hardware but I wouldn't bet on it. Look at 'Get Your ISO, LiveCD & Pocket OS' for some sample links.

Remember that era hardware will have limited memory, slower CPU and hdd space will be smaller. Your DE should be the lightest available. If possible increase the memory to the max.


The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Yeah. That is what worries me. They will have no support and I do see issues if I try to talk them through anything over the phone. Thanks for that link.

The memory at max is so little already, I can't remember but I think they said around 300 and something megabytes. As I mentioned I am worried about installing Linux but not being close by for support. I have two older computers from the mid to late 90's but I use them as firewalls/routers. I could not imagine using them for my main computer.

Ok. Getting there.

1 - Spybot
2 - Ccleaner
3 - Clamwin

I still can't find a firewall. Looks like they all stopped support awhile ago for Windows 98. I am still going to keep looking.

Ok. I found an older version of Zonealarm. It will have to be good enough. I wish installing Linux was an option, I would feel much better about that then doing it this way. But you got to work with what you have I guess.

Thanks for all the tips and help. I am going to grab a copy of systemrescue as well, just in case I need it for any reason.

As much as I hate to say this I am going to try and talk them into getting a new computer with Windows 7. Though that is a huge jump from 98 to Win7. If they where closer to me I would just install Linux (still seeing if they would buy a newer computer, at least a 2003-2006 computer.) But that is not the way it is. If no one hears from me in a few months then that means Windows 98 drove me over the edge and I am in some insane asylum, in a straight jacket and banging my head against a wall and cursing MS, lol

Why couldn't you install Linux and then set it so that you can ssh into it when you need to provide support?

I had this same experience with my niece's computer around christmas. It was running 98 or Me one. For a firewall you can use zonealarm, they have an archive of all previous releases. But it's like my sister found out, the weight of all the various AV/FW/anti-spyware made the computer useless. It might be a better idea to work out a way to restore the machine simply in the event of failure than to try and bulletproof something made of hay.

Make your choices wisely, because you are almost certainly going to have to make some compromises somewhere, and remember that education is more effective than antivirus 90% of the time (email attachments, porn sites, "FREE" software, etc).

If you need to scan the machine for malware, Trend Micro's free scanner is about as good and free as it gets.

http://free.antivirus.com/

I had thought about that. But I am not sure how often there IP address changes with their ISP. They are very, very basic users so I need to keep this extremely simple for them.

Ideally that would be perfect though.

Very good points. The good things is that, the old Zone alarm, will be the only thing running in the background, hopefully it can handle that. ClamWin, Spybot and Ccleaner will not be running at all in the back ground, though having ccleaner on their computer worries me a bit with the registry cleaner. At the very least, this will be fun, lol.

I will make a list for them to do with ClamWin and Spybot plus a few other pointers as well. I even thought about duel booting for them. Win98 as default but having the Linux option there. But I am guessing their hard drive is not that large. It would be nice if they got a better computer, one I could work with easier, lol.

Thanks for this link.

It has been awhile but looking at that link it is coming back to me, all the things I needed to do to keep Windows 98 secure and safe (getting a headache now, lol)

I see that you have a lot of concern about a firewall. Doesn't their ISP provide a firewall? If not, why not just get a router with a hardware firewall? They're not that expensive and don't require any periodic maintenance/upgrades. Plus, they don't take any cycles from the CPU which are probably already in short supply.

Check their router, there should be an option (I hope) to set the router to accept your connection and from there it's a matter of using the local IP address (192.168.xxx.xxx).

It may be a bit of extra work up front, but should pay dividends later on.