Backing up critical updates for windows 98 to CD for after 6/30/06

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask if anyone could please help me with the following
situation.

I am using Windows 98 (4.10.1998)

As I understand it, after 6/30/06, the windows update site at this
link..

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

which scans your computer, and then provides updates specifically for
your computer, will no longer work for Windows 98 after 6/30/06, even
for updates that have already been released and/or applied.

I want to back up all of the updates that have been applied to my
system so far, and all updates that should be applied, to CD. That
way, If I ever have to reformat my hard drive or just have a need to
reinstall the updates, I will have them backed up.

I don't know why Microsoft cannot just archive the windows 98 updates,
nor do I understand why they can't leave the windows update site which
scans your computer in operation, at least for updates that have
already been applied. This way, people running windows 98 who have to
reformat can easily get the needed updates after reformatting.

I tried to use the download history feature at the Windows update site
to see what updates I have applied to my computer and then search for
them, but it turned out to be a nightmare.

I then found some links which I have pasted below, which have critical
updates for windows 98 and other OS.

The first link I have listed looks like the standard windows update
site when It first loads, but it is actually different. I is an archive
of updates. The second link is also an archive of updates.

Do I need to download any other critical or security updates other than
the one's listed at the first two links ?

I will also be backing up IE6 SP1 and outlook express.

I will also be putting boot disk files on the CD with the Windows
updates. I have my original boot disk, my original system restore CD,
and a windows 98 CD.

Is there anything else I should put on the CD with the windows updates
that would be useful after a reformat or just useful to have backed up
? I want to grab everything I can now, while it is still there.

The links listed below are the only one's I could find that seemed to
be of any help.

Even if I upgrade to an XP computer, I still want to keep my Windows 98
machine running as good (and as secure) as possible in the future. It
has allot of programs I really like, and I am not sure all of them will
run on XP.

I would appreciate any suggestions or feedback.

Thanks for your help.

John

Microsoft Links I found...

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

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

General windows 98 & support

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/support/

General downloads:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/default.asp

Windows 98 main and general site

http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/default.asp

Internet Explorer critical updates

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/default.mspx

Third party sites that may be useful

http://www.mdgx.com/

http://www.hpcfactor.com/support/patching/win98/default.asp

http://www.geekgirls.com/windows_reinstall_98.htm

http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/win98sp1.html

http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/index.html

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/topics/networksecurity/legsgch5.mspx

http://members.bellatlantic.net/~mrscary/