Microsoft Windows 98 Case Studies & Practical Application 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Windows 98 user complains that their dial-up modem connects but web pages do not load, even though email works. What is the most likely cause?
- The modem speed is too slow for HTTP
- A proxy server address is misconfigured in Internet Explorer (Correct answer)
- Outlook Express is blocking the browser
- The DNS cache is full
Correct answer: A proxy server address is misconfigured in Internet Explorer
Email uses direct SMTP/POP3 connections that bypass proxy settings, while Internet Explorer routes HTTP through a configured proxy; a wrong proxy address blocks web browsing only.
Question 2: You need to transfer a 900 MB backup file from one Windows 98 PC to another with no network. The destination PC has a CD-RW drive but the source does not. What Windows 98-era solution is most practical?
- Use a direct cable connection (null-modem or parallel cable) with Direct Cable Connection (Correct answer)
- Copy to multiple floppy disks manually
- Use the Windows 98 built-in Bluetooth transfer
- Use FAT32 drive sharing over Bluetooth
Correct answer: Use a direct cable connection (null-modem or parallel cable) with Direct Cable Connection
Windows 98's Direct Cable Connection utility uses a null-modem serial or parallel cable to create a temporary two-PC network for large file transfers without network hardware.
Question 3: A Windows 98 workstation is part of a Windows NT 4.0 domain. After changing the user's domain password from the server, the user cannot log into the workstation. What should you advise?
- The workstation must be re-imaged
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Del at the logon screen and use the 'Change Password' option to update the cached credentials (Correct answer)
- Boot to Safe Mode and reset the local account
- Delete the user profile folder and re-create it
Correct answer: Press Ctrl+Alt+Del at the logon screen and use the 'Change Password' option to update the cached credentials
Windows 98 caches domain credentials locally; after a server-side password change, the user must use Ctrl+Alt+Del at the login screen to synchronize the new password with the cached copy.
Question 4: A Windows 98 PC's hard drive makes clicking sounds and ScanDisk reports cross-linked files repeatedly. What should you do immediately?
- Run Disk Defragmenter to fix the file links
- Back up all data immediately and replace the hard drive (Correct answer)
- Increase the page file size to reduce drive activity
- Reinstall Windows 98 to repair the file system
Correct answer: Back up all data immediately and replace the hard drive
Clicking sounds combined with repeated ScanDisk errors indicate imminent hard drive failure; data backup and drive replacement must be the top priority before the drive fails completely.
Question 5: A Windows 98 PC in a home office must run an older 16-bit application that conflicts with a new 32-bit application. Both apps must run simultaneously. What Windows 98 feature allows 16-bit apps to run in isolation?
- Run the 16-bit app in its own separate NTVDM memory space by checking 'Run in separate memory space' (Correct answer)
- Convert the 16-bit app to 32-bit using App Converter
- Use Virtual PC to sandbox the old app
- Configure the 16-bit app in High Memory Area (HMA)
Correct answer: Run the 16-bit app in its own separate NTVDM memory space by checking 'Run in separate memory space'
Windows 98 allows 16-bit applications to run in a separate memory space via a checkbox in the program's shortcut Properties, preventing conflicts with other 16-bit apps sharing the default NTVDM.
Question 6: A Windows 98 computer cannot print to a network printer that was working yesterday. The printer is online and other users can print. Which troubleshooting step should come first?
- Reinstall Windows 98 networking components
- Delete and re-add the network printer in the Printers folder (Correct answer)
- Replace the printer cable
- Disable the firewall
Correct answer: Delete and re-add the network printer in the Printers folder
Removing and re-adding the network printer refreshes the connection and driver settings with minimal disruption, and resolves most cases where a single workstation loses printing while others can still print.
Question 7: A Windows 98 machine shows 'Invalid VxD dynamic link call' on startup. What does this error most commonly indicate?
- A missing or corrupted Virtual Device Driver (VxD) (Correct answer)
- An expired Windows 98 license
- A bad sector in the swap file
- An incorrect BIOS date setting
Correct answer: A missing or corrupted Virtual Device Driver (VxD)
This error occurs when Windows 98 cannot load a required VxD (Virtual Device Driver), often due to a corrupted or incompatible .vxd file left by an incomplete uninstall or driver update.
Microsoft Windows 98 Case Studies & Practical Application 5
A Windows 98 user complains that their dial-up modem connects but web pages do not load, even though email works.
What is the most likely cause?