KernelEx Readme

KernelEx v0.3.6 formerly Kernel Update Project
Copyright (C) 2006-2008, Xeno86
Original WIN98UPDT0001 by (x) 2005/2006

Table of contents

Information
Requirements
Important information
Instalation
Uninstallation
Command line switches
Exit codes

Information

This software is provided "as-is," without any express or implied warranty.
In no event shall the author be held liable for any damages arising from the
use of this software.
See the GNU General Public License for more details.
(file COPYING.txt)

The aim of the project is to implement functions (not present on Windows 98 / ME) to kernel32.dll and other system libraries so that recent Windows XP applications and games work on Windows 98 / ME

Requirements

Important information - Read this first

Effort has been put in order to make KernelEx installation as simple and safe as possible. However, as with every system files modification, there exists a possibility that something goes wrong. Because of this I have written this step-by-step guide, which describes how to recover your system if you are unable to start the system normally and remove KernelEx from the Control Panel.

KernelEx automatically creates backup of all files it modifies (backup files have .w01 extension and are placed in system directory) and a special recovery script (KEXRECO.bat).

Firstly, you have to enter DOS mode. You can do it in several ways:

Option 1. (Windows 98 only!)
As the computer is booting, press the F8 key when you see "Starting Windows 98" OR press and hold the left CTRL key as the computer is booting.
If done properly you should see "Windows 98 Startup Menu".
Select option 5. "Command prompt only".

Option 2. Use boot diskette you created manually or during Windows installation.

Option 3. Use Windows instalation CD and select the option to boot with (or without) CD-ROM support.

When you are in DOS mode (indicated by "C:\>_" or similar), start KEXRECO.bat by typing "KEXRECO.bat" (without quotation marks) and pressing the ENTER key.
If you booted from a diskette type "KEXRECO.bat" (if you coppied KEXRECO.bat onto it) or "C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\KEXRECO.bat" (without quotation marks) where "C:\WINDOWS" is path to Windows directory. If you booted from CD type "C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\KEXRECO.bat".

If you don't see any error messages but only "All done!" message, please reboot your PC (either CTRL+ALT+DEL or RESET button).


Instalation

  1. Uninstall any previous version of KernelEx or Kernel Update Project.
  2. Unpack this archive to any directory on your harddrive.
  3. Read the 'Important information' section above.
  4. Run KernelEx.exe.
  5. Confirm installation.
  6. Restart the system.


Uninstallation

  1. Open Start->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs.
  2. Select "KernelEx".
  3. Press "Add/Remove..." button.
  4. Confirm uninstallation.
  5. Restart the system.

Command line switches

-remove      assume uninstallation mode
-v0          verbosity level 0
-v1          verbosity level 1 (default)
-v2          verbosity level 2
-v3          verbosity level 3
-batch       don't display message boxes (for batch installation)
-nolog       logging to file disabled
-log         logging to file enabled (default)
-verify      check KernelEx installation


Exit codes

0 = OK
1 = Invalid parameter
2 = wrong Windows version
3 = Abort by user
4 = Detected Wininit.ini
5 = Some files missing
7 = already installed
8 = Some patches failed
9 = Other version already present


-Xeno86