• WINDOWS 96 (OSR2)

    • Windows 96 - The new beta

    Windows 96 is just about upon us and as such it is time that we began to discus this minor upgrade in this FAQ. There are some subtle differences between it and Windows 95 and it here that we will be discussing them. For myself I have allready developed a few pet hates but we'll see how things pan out.

    Differences - The Taskbar

    Clicking on the taskbar now not only opens minimised windows but it also closes them again if you click the programs task bar icon.

    Differences-The mouse pointer

    Grrr it activates and select everything that is beneath the mouse pointer I personally could have done without this crap. Expecially in Netscape - touch a file in the save as dialogue and there goes the original file name!!!!

    This from Microsoft

    Microsoft� Windows 95�
    Market Bulletin, September 1996

    OEM Service Release 2 (See hansie's personal observations)

    Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 (OSR 2) is an update to the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system intended to add support for new and emerging hardware, and to include various updates to Windows 95 which were formerly available separately.

    Because most of the new functionality in OSR 2 is applicable only to new hardware devices, OSR 2 will only be available on new PCs shipping later this year. However, many components of OSR 2 are already, or soon will be available for download from the Internet (http://www.microsoft.com).

    The features of OSR 2 will be later included in the "Memphis" release of Windows 95, which will enter beta testing in early 1997. The purpose of this document is to outline the features of Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 and to identify which components are available to existing Windows 95 customers.

    The following features will be covered in this document:

    Features and Delivery Vehicles

    Hardware Support

    Feature Description New PC Download
    FAT32 Enhancements to the Windows 95 FAT file system designed to efficiently support large hard disks, up to 2 Terabytes in size. Includes updates to FDISK, Format, Scandisk, and Defrag disk utilities to support FAT32 partitions. Yes No
    DriveSpace Update Windows 95 DriveSpace compression utility now supports compressed volumes up to 2 GB in size. Note: DriveSpace compression is not supported on FAT32 volumes. Yes No
    Power Management Improvements Support for Advanced Power Management (APM) 1.2 BIOS, wake-on-ring for modems, multi-battery PC's, drive spin down, and powering down of inactive PCMCIA modems. Yes No
    Storage Enhancements Support for IDE Bus Mastering, 120M Floptical disk drives, removable IDE media, Zip drives, and CD Changers. Also adds the SMART predictive disk failure API's. Yes No
    PCMCIA Enhancements Adds support for new PC Card 32 (Cardbus) bridges, PCMCIA cards that operate at 3.3 volts rather than 5 volts, multifunction PCMCIA network/modem cards, and PCMCIA Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) devices. Yes No
    CDFS Enhancements Support for ISO 9660 disks up to 4 GB in size, and CD-I format CD-ROMs Yes No
    PCI Bridging/Docking Support for PCI devices for use in PCI docking stations Yes No
    IRQ Routing Support for new PCI interrupt routers. Yes No

    Internet and Multimedia

    Feature Description New PC Download
    Internet Explorer 3.0 Microsoft's hot new Internet browser. Get the most from the Internet with support for ActiveX, HTML style sheets, frames, Java and more. Yes Yes
    Internet Connection Wizard A simple, easy to configure connection to worldwide Internet Service Providers through a centralized service, as well as assistance in the sign-up process. Yes Yes
    Internet Mail and News Send and receive email quickly with our new SMTP and POP3 mail client, and subscribe to your favorite newsgroups with our flexible newsreader. Yes Yes
    NetMeeting Make telephone calls over the Internet, including data calls with several people. You can remotely view and control any program, share a whiteboard, chat, and transfer files. Yes Yes
    Personal Web Services Allows publishing and hosting of HTML pages over the Internet/intranet. Yes No
    DirectX 2.0 (including Direct 3D) High-performance 2D and 3D graphics, sound, input, and communications for great games on virtually any PC. Will also ship with games that require it. Includes some sound and display driver updates. Yes Yes
    ActiveMovie Next generation video architecture for Microsoft Windows. Delivers high quality and performance playback of video, including QuickTime and MPEG-1 formats. Yes Yes
    OpenGL Support libraries for OpenGL graphics standard, plus some cool screen savers. Yes Available Soon
    Intel MMX Support Support for third parties to build software that exploits the Intel Pentium Multimedia Extensions (MMX) for fast audio and video support on the next generation of Intel Pentium processor. Yes No

    Networking and Communications

    Feature Description New PC Download
    Dial-up Networking Improvements User interface enhancements, support for scripting, and hands-free dial-up. Yes Yes
    Voice Modem Support Support for VoiceView and AT+V modems to allow switched voice and data transmission to occur, and to allow the modem to answer voice calls. Yes Yes
    Service for NetWare Directory Services Full client support for Novell NetWare 4.x, including NetWare Directory Services. Yes Yes
    32-bit DLC 32 bit support for the Data Link Control protocol for SNA host connectivity. Yes Yes
    Infrared Support Support for Infrared Data Association (IrDA) 2.0 compliant devices - includes Infrared LAN connectivity. Yes Yes
    Desktop Management Support for Desktop Management Interface (DMI) 1.1 - allows a desktop management application to monitor devices on the PC. Yes Available Soon
    NDIS 4.0 Adds support for new NDIS 4.0 network interface card drivers. Yes No

    Additional Features

    Feature Description New PC Download
    Display enhancements Support for dynamically changing screen resolution and color depth. Adapter refresh rate can also be set with most newer display driver chipsets. Yes Available Soon
    Wang Imaging for Windows 95 View image data from a variety of different file formats, including JPG, XIF, TIFF, BMP and FAX. Scan and annotate images with built-in TWAIN scanner support and Imaging applet. Yes Yes
    Fonts Support for HP LaserJet 4 grayscale fonts. Yes Available Soon
    MSN 1.3 The latest version of the MSN client, which features performance improvements. Yes Yes. Available from The Microsoft Network.
    Fixes/updates Various Windows 95 updates including: updated OLE components, enhanced Windows Messaging client with improved performance, and fixes to Microsoft Fax. Yes Yes
    Automatic Scandisk on boot In situations where the PC was not shut down normally, Scandisk will automatically run at the next reboot in order to check for damaged files. Yes No
    Online Services Folder Client software for America Online 3.0, CompuServe 3.0, CompuServe WOW!, and AT&T Worldnet. Yes No

    � 1996 Microsoft Corporation
    Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT and Win32 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
    Other product and company names mentioned herin may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
    0996

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    1 Installing OSR2 on a machines allready installed with Windows 95?

    Can I upgrade my extisting installation of Windows95 to OSR2 with the OSR2 disk?

    The arguments......

    Date:    Sun, 10 Nov 1996 13:15:57 -0800
From:    Sean Erwin <erwin@LING.UCSD.EDU>
Subject: Re: APPS: oemsr2 installation problem

    No. If you attempt to upgrade from an earlier version of Windows95, it will give an error message and not let you proceed. You can only install OSR2 on top of DOS, Windows 3.1/WFW, or OS/2(?).

    Okay, but there's gotta be a way to fool it into upgrading from an earlier version of Windows95!!!!

    According to various sources, renaming the file "WIN.COM" in the C:\WINDOWS directory will do this. Rename the file, then proceed with the upgrade. Warning: I haven't yet confirmed that this will work. Do not attempt this unless you are comfortable mucking around with system files.

    Date:    Sun, 10 Nov 1996 11:03:02 -0600
From:    Nathan Schuler <nschuler@SANASYS.COM>
Subject: Re: APPS: oemsr2 installation problem

    If the version 95b I have could not be used as an upgrade to my win95a, how could I install a new version 95b on my system? And can I keep and use my old win95a since I have installed many programs on it and re-install takes much time. My system has two SCSI harddrives-1GB(Win95a boot, single partition) and another 2GB(two partition:one is VFAT and other is NTFS), and DriveSpace3 is used.

    Win95b is an entirely new OS and can not be installed on top of anything else. ??? To get it install you need to FDISK your boot drive. As for all your programs, you need to do a back of your disk. I would just backup all your data files and just restore everything else from the install disks. Since I noticed that you have NT, you might want to create a 10MB primary partition on your boot drive and have it formatted in FAT16 or FAT12 so you can still have multi-boot capability. I you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

    Date:    Wed, 20 Nov 1996 11:03:02 -0600
From:    Hans Klarenbeek <hansie@wantree.com.au>
Subject: Re: APPS: oemsr2 installation problem

    I will be giving this a shot sometime real soon.... I figure the most sensible thing to change would be the registry so that U/Grading to NT4.0 will be possible... will keep you posted.... Done!! See below

    The Truth...... Method 1

    Date:    Sunday, 15 Dec 1996 18:45:02 -0600
From:    Hans Klarenbeek <hansie@wantree.com.au>
Subject: Re: APPS: oemsr2 installation problem

    Well I decided to give it a shot this week and well I certainly didn't have much fun (but then it was time clean the system anyway)

    Procedure:- Copied OSR2 to the Hard-Drive. Renamed win.com to win.xxx and started the installer from DOS

    Results:- All went very well in fact right up to the point where it said now installing software for any plug and play devices you may have and BOOM! - The machine locked up and refused to work under any circumstances other than safe mode..... I disabled Qemm but that wasn't it either - after some cursing and swearing I nuked both C: and D: partition (where the apps lived) and started from scratch.... No problem.... This is NOT TO say YOU will experience the same problems but be forewarned!!!!! (I have a fairly non-standard system with SCSI everything)

    The Truth...... Method 2

    Date:    Sat, 18 Jan 1997 10:05:39 -0600
From:    Chip May <chip@xnet.com>
Subject: RE: I would like to include method II of ugrading OSR2 to theWIN95-L FAQ

    Installing OSR2 (95B) over 95, 95A..

    Hope you have loads of disk space...

    1) Make a temp directory on a hard drive - call it Win95.

    2) Copy the Win95 directory from the CD to the new directory on your hard drive. From here, we work with the files on your hard drive.

    3) Extract from PRECOPY2.CAB the file called SETUPPP.INF. Note: MS has a CAB file extraction tool available as a PowerToy on their WEB site.

    4) Open LAYOUT.INF in a text editor. Search for "SETUPPP.INF". You should find: setuppp.inf=2,,4550

    5) Open SETUPPP.INF in a text editor. Search for "ProductType". You should find: ProductType=9

    6) Run SETUP from Windows95 off your hard drive.

    Note: This does NOT create any FAT32 partitions. Use Partition Magic or do a full backup of your new installation - from a 95B boot diskette with FDISK, FORMAT, and SYS - FDISK your drive, FORMAT the drive, then SYS the drive. Now do a full recover of the backup.

    Note2: Other stuff:

    After ProductType=x, add the line: UPI=24396-XXX-XXXXXXX

    When I used the procedure, I had added the UPI= line. This lets you use your old CD KEY.

    More experiments:

    ProductType=1:

    Upgrades without asking for CD KEY (serial number)

    ProductType=2:

    I used this - the same as on my original Win95 upgrade.

    ProductType=3:

    Wants a floppy install - doesn't work.

    ProductType=4:

    Fails - Error - previous ops system installed.

    ProductType=5:

    Works - asks for CD KEY, but won't take mine - can "ignore"

    ProductType=6

    Works OK

    ProductType=7:

    Fails - Error - previous op system

    ProductType=8:

    Fails - Error - previous op system

    I assume no liability for this routine. Proceed at your own risk.

    Also see the Windows 95 OSR2 MiniFAQ

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    Date:    Sunday, 15 Dec 1996 19:05:03 -0600
From:    Hans Klarenbeek <hansie@wantree.com.au>
Subject: Re: APPS: oemsr2 installation problem

    2 Hansie's personal Observations of the new OS!

    Notes On Changes to Win 95 OSR 2

    On boot failure or Non proper (alt-F4) shutdown scandisk is automatically executed..

    Quicktime movies are now playable by Win 95 out of the box.

    Recognised Monitor (Optiquest V775 in my case - video card must support) as part of plug and play.

    TimeZone animation has gone as per NT4.0 - Display Properties has altered to reflect the Millenium's setting (using generic

    Joystick Control Panel now supports a multitude of sticks and controllers...

    (Aussies) Netcomm / Banksia / Telstra Modems are now also listed in the Modem control panel

    Execom Modems (Australia) are also listed and a 59.6 modem is listed here.

    The Microsoft Intellimouse is NOT listed

    The Internet Wizard now has provision for I/Net service providers .... Also when connected the connection indicator shows

    Quickres is now built into the OS and activated by Control Panels / Display / Settings / SHOW SETTINGS ON TASKBAR!!

    Animated icon in ScanDisk.

    Also this from Adam Sharp

    Date:    Sunday, 15 Dec 1996 13:43:02 -0600
From: Adam Sharp [SMTP:asharp@DEXINFO.COM]
Subject: APPS: oemsr2  WARNING!!!

    OSR 2 uses the new Windows Driver Model (WDM) in which Win95 and NT 4 share the same drivers. The good news is that Microsoft included a boatload of drivers on the MSDN copy of OSR 2. The bad news is that if a driver you need was not included, or you need to add hardware after you install OSR, you can't. I learnt this the hard way - I installed OSR 2 on my laptop after Fdisking with FAT32 and a week after I installed it, decided to start using my Xircom 10/100 PC Card. But the OSR copy I have doesn't include the driver for it, and Xircom can't (or won't) help me. Guess I'll have to wait until the release...

    OSR2 appears to be a closer bridge to NT 4.0 ( now I wonder whether the registry is like NT4.0?) Essentially this means that some new drivers may be needed for some stuff (NT 4.0 drivers should in theory work...) Hansie. It was pointed out to me recently that OSR2 is not quite there yet but OSR3 will be....

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    Disclaimer

    This article and web site listing is provided without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, the author, faq maintainers and contributors assume no responsibility for errors or ommissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information herin. This document respects all owners of their repected trademarks and or copyrights, Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT are the sole copyright of Microsoft Corporation and thus belongs to Bill.

    Copyright Notice �

    Windows95 (Win95-L) FAQ COPYRIGHT � 1996 by Hans Klarenbeek

    All Rights Reserved by the author, Hans Klarenbeek

    Windows95 (Win95-L) FAQ � 1996 PERMISSION:

    Permission is granted freely to distribute this article in electronic form as long as it is posted in its entirety including this copyright statement. This article may not be distributed for financial gain. This article may not be included in any commerical collections or compilations without the express permision of the author, Hans Klarenbeek(hansie@wantree.com.au)