Backing up windows 98 critical updates to CD for after 6/30/06 and backing up critical files for after a reformat

Hi everyone,

I have an older Windows 98 (4.10.1998) computer and I want to keep the
computer running as well as possible, and as secure as possible, even
after getting an XP machine.

As I understand it, after 6/30/06 Microsoft will no longer be providing
critical updates (even existing critical updates) for Windows 98, at
the following site...

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

This is the site that scans your computer and tells you what updates
are needed. I want to back up all critical updates to date, on CD-R, in
case I ever need to reformat my hard drive or just in case I need them
after 6/30/06.

I found the following two links that list critical updates for Windows
98...

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.co...en/default.asp

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/d.../corporate.asp

When the page at first link loads, it looks like the same webpage that
scans your computer, but it is not, it actually provides a catalog of
critical updates for almost all windows OS.

At the links above, I downloaded about 69 MB from the first link, I did
not download all of the foreign languages versions for Net framework,
and I did not download anything for internet explorer prior to version
6, because I expected security updates for all prior versions of IE to
be included in version 6. Likewise, I did not download anything for
versions of directX before 9.0 since I expect security fixes for all
prior versions of directX to be included in directX 9.

I also did not download any Microsoft Java Virtual Machine updates,
since I now use Sun Java 1.5.

Using the method above, it took the download down from about 250 MB to
69 MB, which helps on a 56K dial up connection.

I downloaded everything from the second link.

I don't understand why Microsoft cannot just keep the windows update
site working for "existing updates" relevant to windows 98. That way,
if someone needs to reformat their hard drive after 6/30/06, it would
be easy to get the needed updates. Likewise, I don't understand why at
the very least they cannot just simply archive all the existing
updates, so that windows 98 users can get them if needed.

I have my original Windows 98 CD, My original system restore CD, and
the original floppy universal boot disk.

In addition to the critical updates listed above, should I check out
any other Microsoft links or back up any other security updates ?

Aside from critical and security updates, should I back anything else
up on the CD in case I ever need to reformat ?

Thanks for your help.
John

When I Posted this message it did not seem like it went through, so I
posted again. Now I see the original post did go through and now there
are now two posts. I did not intend for this to happen. There seemed to
be a problem with all my posts on Sunday Jan. 8 / 06

John