I bought my computer from Dell in 1998 with, of course, Windows 98 software. I have recently been invaded by a commercial enterprise that has decided to share my computer. This enterprise uses my computer to show me wonderful commercials advertising everything imaginable. When this enterprise takes over my machine I have no recourse than to wait patiently or turn power off.
I have been advised that there is nothing I can do about this because no one bothers to create for Windows 98 an up to date spy-ware or anti-virus software that will keep my computer clean. My only recourse is to buy another computer with a software operating system for which there exists suitable anti-virus software to keep it clean.
I am very suspicious that this whole thing is being executed by computer manufacturers or by Microsoft so that all of us with older machines are compelled to buy new machines. I headed for the shopping mall and now have a new computer with XP software to keep the hoodlums from taking over my machine. At least until a new operating system is introduced and they decide that my machine is again obsolete.
Who said we control our own destiny? I guess that is why we allow ourselves to be called consumers rather than citizens. This is another side of ‘planned obsolescence’.
I am also hearing funny sounding clicks on my phone.
format the drive and install linux. Then you have no need to worry about getting an anti-virus (until linux becomes more popular, even then it’ll take some serious social engineering to accomplish what can be done on windows) or an anti-spyware program.
Cheaper for you, and it screws over the endless cycle of consumerism that Microsoft wants you to be apart of.
It has been 7 years. I work for a software company, and we don’t do anything for Windows 98 either. Not really our fault, even Microsoft doesn’t support windows 98.
If you want a solution without buying a new computer or learning a new OS, I would suggest finding a friend that can install new hardware for you. You might be able to get away with a new memory stick or two, something to get Windows 2000 on your machine. As far as I know, Microsoft (and thus, the rest of humanity) still supports 2000.
Incidentally, reformatting would probably solve your problem, but you'd have to be careful where you went on the internet after that, or you'd end up right back where you were.
There’s a product called Spyboy Search&Destroy you might want to check out. it’s free, it operates independant of Windows, so odds are greater that it will run on 98.
Spybot S&D worked on my old computer when I had windows 98. I now run windows XP with the ZoneAlarm firewall (works without fault, always has done), and Ad-aware and Spybot S&D for spyware/adware.
I also use AVG anti-virus, and have few, if any, running problems.