Windows 98 + Media Player 9

[galah]

I have found a way of installing Media Player 9 onto systems using the first edition of Windows 98.

Have installed a zip utility such as WinZip
http://www.winzip.com

Download Microsoft Media Player 9 for Windows 98SE/ME/2000
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia

Create a new folder on you desktop by right clicking on a blank area of the desktop and selecting, New, Folder

Name the new folder
wmp9

Right click on the downloaded file
MPSetup.exe

Select, WinZip, Extract To...

Choose the folder you created earlier by left clicking on it once
wmp9

you created earlier by left clicking on it once. Then click on the Extract button. Wait while the files are copied to the wmp9 folder. Then click on Windows Start button. Select Run. Type,
regedit

Double click on the following folders in the correct order;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion

In the right section in the Name column, double click on the following names and change their data value to:

ProductName Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Version Windows 98SE
VersionNumber 4.10.2222

Hit OK after changing each value. Close Regedit.

Open the folder wmp9 and double click on wm_setup.exe to begin installation.

Follow the prompts to install Media Player 9 onto your system.

[ESALADUANE]

for everyone else:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...ad/default.asp

[galah]

If the point of your reply is to put the exact link to the Media Player 9 download, thanks.

For those with the first edition of Windows 98 you will still have to follow the procedure above to enable it to install.

Microsoft decided that by now everyone should have upgraded from Windows 98 to a newer OS.

So they barred Media Player from installing on 1st edition of Win98 for its now 4 years old. But they would have caused an outrage if the also barred Win98SE as it was still available upto 2 years ago.

So they disabled the 1st edition of Win98, not for compatability reasons, but rather as the second stage of their forced obsolescence policy.

(1st they have abandonned Win95 not allowing DirectX 8.1 or Media Player 7.1 to install, now its Win98, next is Win98SE, then ME)

Since Media Player 9 will run on Windows 98SE their is no reason technically it won't run on Windows 98 as they are primarily identical Operating Systems.

To Microsoft:
My trusty old Pentium will not handle Windows XP so I'm forced to stick with Windows 98. So please, don't directly disable updates for the older 9x platform.
Sure, you don't have to provide any technical support for the OS's, but to disable it from installing even though it will run perfectly fine really sucks!!!!

[ESALADUANE]

For a detailed explanation of Microsoft's Life Cycle policy see:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lif...r/default.mspx

[galah]

My point is not that they have discontinued supporting the product, because that is their right to decide.

But to block it from installing on an OS when it will run, why not let users do so at their own risk.

It not like their blocking it from running on Windows 3.11 which has a different architecture.

Since it runs on Win98 Second Edition, the risk is minimal.

[galah]

Just for the public record, here are the similar values for Windows Me.


ProductName Microsoft Windows ME
Version Windows Millennium Edition
VersionNumber 4.90.3000

You maybe able to use this once 98SE is no longer supported.

[ESALADUANE]

Thanks

[john66]

THANXS - you saved me the hassle

[galah]

no worries! WMP9 has run nfine on WIn98 first edition for a couple of months now. I give it the thumbs up!

[ESALADUANE]

We appreciate the update.

[galah]

A friend of mine tells me that replacing the corresponding registry entries enable Media Player 9 to install and run on Windows 95.

Just thought I'd share the news.

[galah]

...just to let you all know still no problems have been found running MP9 on Win95 and Win98 (Original edition) under some quite heavy use (mp3, wma 9, mpeg, avi)

So if your considering trying it, I say do it!!!

[galah]

BUMP!!! for R.Punch.

How hard is it to use the search function. Boy!!!