Appendix I - Windows 98 Resource Directory

This appendix provides information on obtaining additional support and information for Microsoft Windows 98. This appendix also discusses the different Microsoft sources for support and assistance.

Where to Go First

If you encounter a problem using Windows 98, there are a number of easily accessible sources of information available to you:

• Review Welcome to Windows 98,* *which appears automatically when you install Windows 98. You can access Welcome to Windows 98 in your Start menu. Point to Programs, Accessories, and System Tools, and then click Welcome to Windows. 

• Visit online Help. You can access online Help for Windows 98 from the Start menu. For assistance solving specific problems, click the Troubleshooting option listed in the Help Contents tab. Troubleshooters use a step-by-step approach to help you isolate and solve problems. 

• Use Microsoft Technical Support Online to gain access to the most up-to-date technical information and resources to answer your support questions. Locate technical articles, programming aids, or commonly asked questions from the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Use this support to connect to available Windows 98 Newsgroups. You can also customize the site to control your search. To begin your search, go to https://support.microsoft.com/support/ . 

• For the latest device drivers and operating system software updates, you can access the Windows Update site by clicking Windows Update on the Start menu. 

Getting Answers to Your Technical Questions

You can find late-breaking updates and technical information in the Readme Help files that came with your product disks or compact disc. If you have a technical question about Windows 98 that is not answered in Help, Microsoft offers additional support and services ranging from self-help tools to direct assistance with a Microsoft Technical Support Engineer.

The services and prices listed here are available in the United States and Canada only. Support services may vary outside the United States and Canada. For more information on support in other locations, contact your local Microsoft subsidiary.

Microsoft's support services are subject to Microsoft's then-current prices, terms, and conditions, which are subject to change without notice.

Self Help Resources

• For fast answers to common questions and a library of technical notes delivered by fax or mail, call Microsoft FastTips (800) 936-4200, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Microsoft FastTips is an automated system, accessible by touch-tone phone. 

Direct Assistance

Contact a Microsoft Technical Support Engineer.

Standard No-Charge Support

Microsoft offers 90 days of Standard No-Charge Support for retail versions of Microsoft Windows 98, including questions regarding Personal Web Server, beginning with the first time you contact a technical engineer. Toll charges may apply.

• In the United States, call (425) 635-7222, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

• In Canada, call (905) 568-4494, 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

If your Microsoft product was preinstalled or distributed with your personal computer, the personal computer manufacturer is responsible for providing your product support. For support, contact the manufacturer or source from which you obtained your Microsoft product.

Pay-Per-Incident Support

If you require support after normal business hours, or if your 90 days of Standard No-Charge Support for Windows 98 and Personal Web Server have expired, you can purchase Pay-Per-Incident Support as follows: 

• In the United States, for a fee of $35 (US) per incident, please call (800) 936-5700 or (900) 555-2000, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• In Canada, for a fee of $45 (CDN) plus tax per incident, please call (800) 668-7975, 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Support fees for the (800) calls will be billed to your VISA, MasterCard, or American Express card. Support fees for the (900) calls will appear on your telephone bill.

In the United States and Canada, you can also submit your Standard No-Charge Support or Pay-Per-Incident Support questions through the Internet with Web Response. For more details, go to Technical Support Online at https://support.microsoft.com/support/.

Microsoft Text Telephone (TT/TDD) services are available for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Using a TT/TDD modem, dial (425) 635-4948, between 6:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M. Pacific time, Monday through Friday. In Canada, dial (905) 568-9641, 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. eastern time, Monday through Friday.

For more information about the accessibility of Microsoft products and services for the deaf or hard-of-hearing, see Appendix H, "Accessibility."

Hardware Compatibility Information

Support may be limited if you are running Windows 98 on hardware that is not on the Hardware Compatibility List. To view the most current listing of hardware that works properly with Windows 98, please go to the Microsoft Hardware Compatibility Web site at https://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/upgrading/compat/default.asp .

Windows 98 SDK Information

Developers who are writing applications to run under Windows 98 should obtain the Microsoft Platform Software Development Kit (SDK). The SDK is available with a Professional or Universal subscription to the Microsoft Developer Network. It is also available on the Web at https://msdn.microsoft.com/** **. For more information, see "Microsoft Developer Network" later in this appendix.

MS TechNet

If you are an information technology (IT) or Help desk professional responsible for administering your corporate network or supporting end users, then you can stay on top of your organization's requirements with TechNet. TechNet is a comprehensive resource for evaluating, implementing, and supporting Microsoft business products. Every month, TechNet delivers two compact discs packed with more than 150,000 pages of the critical information you need to smoothly deploy mission-critical systems and minimize downtime—all while building your technical expertise. To subscribe, see your local authorized retailer, or call (800) 344-2121, 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

MS Developer Network

If you develop applications for the Internet or the Windows operating system, or use Microsoft products for any other development purposes, you will enhance your productivity with a Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscription. MSDN is Microsoft's official source for technical programming information, SDKs, DDKs, Windows, BackOffice, Microsoft Office, and Visual Tools for developers. For more information on MSDN subscription levels and benefits, visit MSDN online at: https://msdn.microsoft.com/ . Or call (800) 759-5474, 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Pacific time, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

MS Certified Solution Providers and Authorized Support Centers

Microsoft Certified Solution Providers and Authorized Support Centers specialize in providing support packages for hardware, network, and software products from both Microsoft and other vendors. For more information or a referral to a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider, call (800) 765-7768 or visit https://members.microsoft.com/partner/partnering/ . For more information on Authorized Support Centers, contact your Microsoft account representative, or visit https://www.microsoft.com/business/default.mspx .

Obtaining Drivers Electronically

You can obtain current device drivers at the Windows Update World Wide Web site. You can access the Windows Update site by clicking Windows Update on the Start menu.