Microsoft Ending Live Support for Windows 98
 

REDMOND, Wash. (Dec. 12) - Microsoft Corp. will stop offering support services next month for computer users whose machines are still running Windows 98, though the company said it might still release security patches if threats appear serious enough.

About 20 percent of all Windows-based computers still run Windows 95 or 98, according to International Data Corp., a technology market research firm. Support for Windows 95 stopped Dec. 31, 2001.

People whose machines run Windows 98 will not be able to call Microsoft for help after Jan. 16. Online assistance will still be available.

Analysts said the support phase-out should not cause major problems, in part because businesses - the largest segment of the PC market - generally upgrade their computers every three to five years.

"I don't think anybody's freaking out about it," said Jupiter Research analyst Joe Wilcox. "One, the operating systems are very old and I don't believe a large number of businesses are using (them) in critical areas. Two ... there's an ample warning that these products are end-of-life."

Wilcox argued that consumers have better reasons to upgrade than the approaching end of support

"Those older operating systems, as long as they're kicking around, they're potential security problems for every company that uses them," Wilcox said. "They weren't built with encryption of data in mind. A lot of information is transmitted, passwords and things, as clear text. If you're looking for a good way to allow a virus on a network or allow it to be hacked, keep running these older operating systems."


12/12/03 20:50 EST

WTF!!!!!!!!!!!
so what about the home users that ahve this system for the last 5+ years ;(

Guess we are all screwed

What about an upgrade?

With Windows ME you get a movie maker program too.


Here you can get ME for $75.00:

http://www.nextag.com/Microsoft_UPG_..._mezmainz2-htm

Time to get on the front of the bus. BUY A NEW Computer.:)

Oh...just wanted to add...

If you do buy a Windows upgrade, make sure you buy the "Upgrade" package, and not the full version. You can't return it after it has been opened.


Full versions of Windows ME sell for as low as $39.00, but upgrades are about $75-$90.00.


But I'm like Emotiondriver.....I don't buy upgrades. After a few years, my PC is done & I'm ready for a new one ;)

Win 98? I still run DOS...:crazy: :crazy:

HEY guys rid yourself of 98 Ill set ya up with a computer for very little and it will have all the right programs
ask dlbCheckmate,


XP pro, xp office and Photoshop to boot
I hate spam , Pop up stopper, all the plug ins to play music and video files, plus if ya mess it up all ya have to do is send back and Ill restore it for $0, plus I offer the best tech support, just hit the chat room and ask :D
p3s I have 3 new black p1000's and a 750,

just remember those 400.00 computers
the monitor is extra, the chip is celeron and they come with xp home

PLUS YOU WILL BE HELPING FINANCE MY NEW MOTOR
WHICH IF YOU ASK ANYONE I NEED :D :D :D

Windows ME isn't worth the plastic CD-ROM that it comes on. It is the worst OS MS ever released.
Hey Top- Always the salesman, eh?:D Oh yeah, Top-BTW- I need a couple PIII/slot1, matched, 100fsb, 600 or higher processors for my server.

Windows ME really is crap but okay for kids who download music and run mulitmedia programs. I would suggest that everyone running Win-98 go ahead and upgrade to XP. I have found it to be an easy and stable upgrade for me but I'm sure there will be those with problems.

Roby