Yes, I know Microsoft has ended support. But...
I have an extra pc that I want to use for playing world of warcraft, storing my music, and some web browsing. I don't want to buy a copy XP because I already own a copy of 98.
The pc is and intel 4 1.5 ghz. 512 ram and basic components.
I will be using Mcafee virus protection and a firewall of some sort.
Is it still safe to run 98 this way? Does anyone else run 98 like this and have you had any problems?
-thanks
2007-06-18 04:51:18 · 10 answers · asked by Italian Samurai 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
There is absolutely no problem in using win98 with your config. Most of our office PCs are still running on windows 98 with effortless ease. It is true that Microsoft has withdrawn the product support for windows 98, but still it is a very good OS and can be efficiently and effectively used for normal browsing and office working, that too with an effective anti-virus program. Carry on !
2007-06-18 05:00:41 · answer #1 · answered by venky 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That PC will run Windows 98 extremely well but like you already said that Microsoft has ended support but they also cut off access to old security updates. With 512 MB ram the system has more RAM than Windows 98 was designed to work with. Windows 2000 Professional is an alternative that worth considering if you don't want to go to XP.
2007-06-18 04:58:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have an old laptop with Windows 98. The last time I connected to the internet, with it, it downloaded 28 viruses in the first 10 minutes of the connection. These were all viruses that the virus scanner did not recognize, since the company that mad the antivirus software no longer supported Windows 98 versions with upgraded virus definition files.
2007-06-18 06:38:15 · answer #3 · answered by Niklaus Pfirsig 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To add to the other comments, keep in mind that not only has MS withdrawn support, updates and security fixes, but most of the larger antivirus suites have also started to withdraw 98 support. For McAfee, I believe the cut off date is actually this month or the coming month, July, 2007.
You should, however, be able to find other suites, even free ones, that are continuing support.
2007-06-18 05:10:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can use Win98. But if you intend to put it on the web I would be sure to use a very good firewall. I run 98 on one of my machines so that I and my kids can play some of the older games. But I have not put it on the web so I can't say just a vulnerable it is to hacking, etc.
2007-06-18 04:56:46 · answer #5 · answered by Ron M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No problem. Be careful because your computer will seem very very fast! I'm running a Windows 98SE laptop to wireless internet and it screams compared to the XP that was on it.
Security this and security that - sure. Just don't go playing around and downloading in the warez sites and stay off the adult-oriented hacker sites and you should be ok.
Enjoy!
2007-06-18 05:14:27 · answer #6 · answered by waltzme2heaven 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Chances are most of the programs you want to run will not. You will also run into the issue of driver support. I am not sure if newer hardware is supported, driver wise, in windows 98.
2007-06-18 04:57:29 · answer #7 · answered by chuck g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you keep your pc stable i.e. not installing new software or hardware, i don't see any problems you doing so. Just make sure you always have a back up of your files though - you never know what happens..:-)
2007-06-18 04:55:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you drive an old car without airbag, or seatbelts? That is does safety count?
2007-06-18 05:11:50 · answer #9 · answered by braveskypilot 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Upgrade mate, this is old news .
2007-06-18 05:06:27 · answer #10 · answered by Cocoon 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋