Microsoft boasts low system requirements for both Windows 98 (Win98) and Win98 Second Edition (SE). Microsoft's Getting Started manual says: on a 486DX CPU (central processing unit) with 66MHz (megahertz), 24MB (megabytes) of RAM (random-access memory), and between 125 and 355MB of free hard drive space, you can upgrade to Win98SE. These requirements are just slightly higher than the 16MB of RAM considered minimum for Win98.

Realistically, running Win98SE on a PC with the minimum requirements will slow down boot time and software launches, and you may experience more frequent crashes.

With both versions of Win98, you'll enjoy new features and easier navigation in an environment that looks like Win95. But on a PC with the minimum requirements, remember the old adage: buyer beware. Performance suffers on low-end machines. And according to Microsoft, "more memory improves performance."

How much RAM should your PC have to run Win98SE? You will want at least 32MB; some technicians recommend at least 64MB.

To get the kind of performance that will keep you computing quickly and efficiently, you will want to install it on a Pentium machine.

Remember when considering an upgrade: Win98SE includes more than 1,200 new drivers, and many existing computers or devices may need an updated BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or device driver. If you're running Win98 on an adequate system with at least 32MB of RAM, upgrading to SE is an easy choice. Before committing to Win98SE, consider the enhancements vs. the performance. With more than the minimum system requirements, the following enhancements can improve your computing experience.



Internet Functionality. Both Win98 and Win98SE have dramatically improved Internet functionality. And not only does Win98SE improve Internet functionality, but it also improves multimedia functionality, all of this through the newest versions of Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, NetMeeting, DirectX, and Windows Media Player.

Internet Explorer 5.0 lets you Web surf more easily. Outlook Express makes e-mail easy. NetMeeting 3.0 improves file transfer and real time, long distance collaboration through Internet phone or videoconferencing. It even has a virtual whiteboard where you can collaborate on drawings. DirectX 6.1 has more multimedia formats, including Mesia, MP3, WAV, AVI (Audiovisual Interleaving), and MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group). For users who want to watch movies on their PCs, Win98SE's DVD (digital versatile disc) support will make an upgrade worth the price.

Win98SE's most significant enhancement is its Internet connection-sharing capabilities, which lets users create home networks. With Win98SE, users can network the entire house using Internet Connection Sharing network address translation and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). You can install PCs (and connect to the Internet) anywhere in your home, using the same modem and dial-up connection. Users can simultaneously access different Web sites from different PCs, eliminating the cost of multiple phone lines.

Another reason to upgrade is to improve Web access. With Win98SE's support of broadband Internet access, you can upgrade to xDSL and cable, which means faster access.

Finally, Win98SE provides improved support for USB (Universal Serial Bus) peripherals, which makes it easy to add and remove PC accessories. It also supports IEEE 1394 high bandwidth connections, making it easy to connect digital cameras and storage devices.

Along with these enhancements come performance issues that may influence your decision to upgrade. Win98SE consumes system resources to create the Active Desktop, which makes your Desktop look and feel like a Web page. You may appreciate Active Desktop if you have Web pages or JavaScript tickers in place of wallpaper, but it's a huge drag on your PC's speed. You can deactivate Active Desktop; it's a necessity if you're running a 486DX and want reasonable performance. Other applications, such as Microsoft Office's Fast Find, start up with Win98SE and run in the background. After an upgrade, take stock of these applications and remove those that you don't need.

by Jan Knudsen