Windows 95

Installing Windows 95

If you are going to share your disk between Windows 95 and Unix, I recommend that you zero your disk and that you install Unix first. My BSD/OS page explains why and gives instructions on how to do this.

Windows 95 Updates

After you install Windows 95, you will want to pick up and install various Windows Updates

Infrared Driver Update

After you install Windows 95, you will want to pick up and install the Infrared Driver Update from Microsoft so you can use the Butterfly's IrDA interface.

Microsoft's "Power Toys"

Microsoft has a page called Power Toys. The two I use are the X Mouse and the Tweak UI control panel.

Microsoft's "Kernel Toys"

Microsoft has a page called Kernel Toys. The one I like is the Keyboard Remap; I map caps-lock to left-control. Unfortunately, it doesn't let you remap delete or backspace.

Adobe's Acrobat

Since Acrobat files are common these days, I like to have a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on my Butterfly.

Microsoft Word Viewer

Microsoft Word Viewer makes it possible to view and print Microsoft Word documents.

Hilgraeve's HyperTerminal Private Edition

Windows 95 comes with HyperTerminal. But a more power version called HyperTerminal Private Edition is available. It has some bug fixes and a few enhancements.

Automatically enabling DOSKEY from the MS-DOS Prompt window

To enable DOSKEY by default:

Launch Windows Explorer
Find the shortcut for MS-DOS Prompt
Right click on MS-DOS Prompt
Select Properties in the menu
Select the Program tab
Enter DOSKEY in the Batch file box
Hit OK

Eliminate the start menu delay

By default, the start menu waits a bit before opening sub-menus. To get speed this up:

Launch Regedit (usually C:\Windows\Regedit.exe)
Open (e.g. double click) HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Open Control Panel
Right click on desktop
Select New in the menu
Select String Value in the sub-menu
Name the new string value MenuShowDelay
Double click on MenuShowDelay
Set the string to the desired value

"10" is the longest delay; I use "0" (the shortest). You must reboot for the change to take effect.

Getting TCP/IP up

After successfully installing Windows 95 on your Butterfly, you will want to install and configure TCP/IP:

Pull down Start Menu
Pull down Settings
Open Control Panel
Open Network
Push the Add button
Select Protocol
Push the Add button
1. Select Microsoft
2. Select TCP/IP
3. Push the Ok button
Push the Ok button

After you reboot the system, proceed to the Changing the IP address section.

Changing the IP address

If your Butterfly moves around alot, here's how to change the IP address:

Pull down Start Menu
Pull down Settings
Open Control Panel
Open Network
Open TCP/IP
Select the Gateway tab
1. Delete the old gateway
2. Add the old gateway
Select the IP Addr tab
1. Update the IP address
2. Update the net mask
Select the DNS tab
1. Update the hostname
2. Update the domain
3. Delete the old DNS server
4. Add the new DNS server

As usual with Windows 95, you must reboot for the change to take effect.

Bypassing the Windows 95 startup

If your systems gets hosed and won't come up or you just want to go to DOS, hold down F8 while Windows 95 is loaded; you will be presented with a list of options. Number 6 (Command prompt only) is what I usually use.

Restoring the master boot record

If you manage to destroy master boot record, it's easy to restore assuming you have a floppy you can boot from. Get the system up and the type:

fdisk /mbr

This will rewrite the master boot record and make your hard drive bootable again. (Obviously if you are sharing the disk between Windows 95 and some other operating system, you will want to install a dual boot master boot record.)

Here's a list of useful Windows 95 links:

And here are some humorous Windows 95 pages:

Related Craig's Butterfly pages:

Back to Craig's IBM Butterfly page