Thinkpads Forum

I am experimenting with an old 380XD. It originally had a duff CMOS battery and no HDD. After finding a replacement HDD , I have successfully installed Win 98SE and TP video/audio drivers and the TP config utility.

Initially I had problems installing a USB modem. It worked but I think it used all the RAM. I then managed to install a PCMCIA modem and when I uninstalled the USB modem , things speeded up.

I have also installed AVG which seems to run OK but a bit slow. There also appears to be an AVG bootloader virus scan feature which I have not seem before.

For a firewall , I have installed Zonealarm version 3.1.395 which works OK and requires 8MB RAM. Originally , I tried version 6.1.744.001 which requires 24 MB (I think) but this did not install every time at boot up. I think this may have been due to the duff install on the USB modem - version 3.1.395 worked OK with the duff USB modem installed and I have not bothered trying version 6.1.744.001 again.

I am after advice regarding other programs to install with only 32MB of RAM available.

I want to install Adobe Acrobat. Version 5 requires 64MB of RAM so I guess I need to install version 4.05 which requires 16MB.

I am planning on running a Windows Update for WIn 98SE. I am using Internet Explorer version 5.00.2614. Various websites keep telling me that I need to update my IE browser.

I am after advice about which version of IE I should install - do later versions of IE use more RAM? Is there an optimal version to use which works on Ebay etc but is OK with only 32MB RAM (maybe the latest version 6 is OK but I can't seem to find any mention of RAM requirements?) Does the Win Update proceedure automatically measure RAM and only installs updates which will run OK with 32MB?

Any thoughts? I want to stick with Win 98SE (rather than use Linux) as I have some old software which will only run on Win 98.

Thanks

I am after advice about which version of IE I should install - do later versions of IE use more RAM?

Unfortunately they will start using more as you get to IE 5.5 and up. I personally use Firefox, I pay a small price for memory usage but it gives me better security.

Does the Win Update proceedure automatically measure RAM and only installs updates which will run OK with 32MB?

No, it updates everything irregardless. It's OS specific and not platform. I would take the plunge anyways. If you scan MS's websites you can find all the updates for 'SE and download them without using Windows Update.

Any thoughts? I want to stick with Win 98SE (rather than use Linux) as I have some old software which will only run on Win 98.

Here's my rub, I like linux for the simple fact that it is much lighter on my system (like W98SE). Security is an ongoing process in linux whereas it's not for W98. I also get many more applications in linux.

I understand that you may have some applications for W98 that you want to use. There is a Windows emulator called WINE that you can run Windows applications in Linux with. I've had some success with it.

I would see if I could snag a 64Mb EDO DIMM (they are really inexpensive) to max out your laptop at 96Mb. Then you'll have much greater latitude on running both linux or Win98SE if you choose.

I have Win98, W2k, Linux (Arch) and OS/2 Warp 4 running on my older thinkpads. I generally don't get on the net with any of them except the linux 'pad.

Between the poor memory management of WIN98SE and your older (slower) processor, running any browser plus Zone Alarm plus AVG is going to be S-L-O-W. I have quite a bit of experience running WIN98SE on older hardware and that's just the way it is.

As suggested, see if there's any way you can install more that 32MB of physical RAM. That would help a little bit.

FWIW, I finally gave up on WIN98SE for going on line when my 1.2 GHz PIII with 1GB RAM (desktop) was running so slow I just couldn't deal with it any more.

The 365x in my signature is never used for going on line.

max out the memory, edo so dimm in 32 or 64megs is cheap on e-bay. the 128 meg sticks are scarce and expensive. run 98se with all the updates from microsoft. they are still avalable, and they dont look for validation on that old of a o/s. DONT run any virus protection, (know where you go, know what you do!!) DEFINATLY update to the latest internet explorer.
(as a matter of fact, windows update wont even work untill you do)
go to google, and find a independent site that offers the internet explorer download. use pc card network cards, they are MUCH faster than
usb 1, and not so hard on the hardware. most of the new pc cards sold today have no 98 support, but most sold before vista came out do. after doing all that, you will find your machine works really well. adrian