UNICOWS.DLL

[thanatoid]

"Hot-text" <hot-text@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:CB74EAB5-FEFB-4BC8-8C21-D2BE5092B5F4@microsoft.com:

> Why do we need unicows.dll in are Windows 98 all Version
> System Folder for? And Why I need to get it from
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... splaylang=
> en&FamilyID=73ba7bd7-ed06-4f0d-80a4-2a7eeaee17e2 Only?

You can get if from any file depository. If MS told you (or one
of their slaves) that only THEY can supply you with it, that's
just so they can do a scan of your computer while you're
connected to them with IE.

That file is needed by a couple of programs, like an earlier
(not latest) 98SE version of vlc and a few others I can't
remember.

Unless a program says something like "can't find unicows.dll,
program/installation terminating", you don't need it.


--
There are only two classifications of disk drives: Broken drives
and those that will break later.
- Chuck Armstrong (This one I think, http://www.cleanreg.com/,
not the ball player. But who knows. I can't remember where I got
the quote. But it's true.)

[meb]

On 01/14/2010 11:48 PM, thanatoid wrote:
> "Hot-text" <hot-text@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:CB74EAB5-FEFB-4BC8-8C21-D2BE5092B5F4@microsoft.com:
>
>> Why do we need unicows.dll in are Windows 98 all Version
>> System Folder for? And Why I need to get it from
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... splaylang=
>> en&FamilyID=73ba7bd7-ed06-4f0d-80a4-2a7eeaee17e2 Only?
>
> You can get if from any file depository. If MS told you (or one
> of their slaves) that only THEY can supply you with it, that's
> just so they can do a scan of your computer while you're
> connected to them with IE.
>
> That file is needed by a couple of programs, like an earlier
> (not latest) 98SE version of vlc and a few others I can't
> remember.
>
> Unless a program says something like "can't find unicows.dll,
> program/installation terminating", you don't need it.
>
>

I would add that you should place it into the folder for the
application rather than in system. It is/was a security issue in Win9X
when installed for system-wide usage, hence you generally find it
installed *by the application* into its own folder if needed.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---

[robert macy]

On Jan 14, 10:27

[meb]

On 01/15/2010 11:16 AM, Robert Macy wrote:
> On Jan 14, 10:27 pm, MEB <MEB-not-h...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> On 01/14/2010 11:48 PM, thanatoid wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> "Hot-text" <hot-t...@hotmail.com> wrote in
>>> news:CB74EAB5-FEFB-4BC8-8C21-D2BE5092B5F4@microsoft.com:
>>
>>>> Why do we need unicows.dll in are Windows 98 all Version
>>>> System Folder for? And Why I need to get it from
>>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... splaylang=
>>>> en&FamilyID=73ba7bd7-ed06-4f0d-80a4-2a7eeaee17e2 Only?
>>
>>> You can get if from any file depository. If MS told you (or one
>>> of their slaves) that only THEY can supply you with it, that's
>>> just so they can do a scan of your computer while you're
>>> connected to them with IE.
>>
>>> That file is needed by a couple of programs, like an earlier
>>> (not latest) 98SE version of vlc and a few others I can't
>>> remember.
>>
>>> Unless a program says something like "can't find unicows.dll,
>>> program/installation terminating", you don't need it.
>>
>> I would add that you should place it into the folder for the
>> application rather than in system. It is/was a security issue in Win9X
>> when installed for system-wide usage, hence you generally find it
>> installed *by the application* into its own folder if needed.
>>
>> --
>> MEBhttp://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
>> Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networkinghttp://peoplescounsel.org
>> The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
>> ___---
>
> Thanks for THAT heads up!
>
> I found it in my WINDOWS/SYSTEM folder and would like to move it to
> the appropriate application folder. How do I find which one uses
> it?
>
> Just move it out and wait?
>
> Or, is there some whizbang utility that looks through an application
> and lists all the .dll's it uses? Or, are they only called upon when
> certain sections of the program run? So there is no way.

I wish there was a "whizzbang" application that scanned for those
things but, AFAIK there are none [though you may find one somewhere];
there WAS such a thing in Nuts & Bolts [IIRC] AND UnInstaller 3 & 4
[these did a check on the entire disk for other applications using any
application files or referenced file BEFORE uninstalling], however both
were broken early in the Win98 update process, and I could find no fixes
or create one.

IF you use VLC, it or you may have placed it into the system folder;
look at your present VLC [does it still need it?] and if necessary, move
it over to that folder as .dll files are loaded from application folders
FIRST or when necessary [in Win9X, when it can't be found elsewhere]
before {or after} any registry or other directions, at least that what I
have generally found [though there are always those "times" when it
doesn't work due to some .ini or registry entry].
*IF* you used the MS file and followed some of the directions generally
found [though not from Microsoft's original articles for the unicows
installation/usage], it MAY have a registry entry for shared dlls [you
"registered" the file with regsrv32 in the system folder, or some other
program did].

As for *individual* application checks: yes, you can use Dependency
Walker to "profile" exactly what a program needs, uses, loads and from
where, and what errors occur; even during an installation of an
application [using the installer executable and "profiling" it].
You could also use sysinternals regmon or filemon [9X versions], though
those can be daunting to use unless you're familiar with them.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---

[glee]

"MEB" <MEB-not-here@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:uWX$UvalKHA.1824@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> On 01/14/2010 11:48 PM, thanatoid wrote:
>> "Hot-text" <hot-text@hotmail.com> wrote in
>> news:CB74EAB5-FEFB-4BC8-8C21-D2BE5092B5F4@microsoft.com:
>>
>>> Why do we need unicows.dll in are Windows 98 all Version
>>> System Folder for? And Why I need to get it from
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... splaylang=
>>> en&FamilyID=73ba7bd7-ed06-4f0d-80a4-2a7eeaee17e2 Only?
>>
>> You can get if from any file depository. If MS told you (or one
>> of their slaves) that only THEY can supply you with it, that's
>> just so they can do a scan of your computer while you're
>> connected to them with IE.
>>
>> That file is needed by a couple of programs, like an earlier
>> (not latest) 98SE version of vlc and a few others I can't
>> remember.
>>
>> Unless a program says something like "can't find unicows.dll,
>> program/installation terminating", you don't need it.
>>
>>
>
> I would add that you should place it into the folder for the
> application rather than in system. It is/was a security issue in Win9X
> when installed for system-wide usage, hence you generally find it
> installed *by the application* into its own folder if needed.


Please provide ANY actual proof of what you say, for example links that
actually describe this purported "security risk" on a Win9x system, from
unicows.dll being in the system folder. I know of no such issue, and
besides, all the trojans and adware I have come across or look up, that
use unicows.dll, put their own version in a Program Files sub-folder
rather than use the version in the System folder.

In fact ZERT in 2007 included the Microsoft Layer for Unicode (MSLU),
which is the Win9x unicows package (which puts unicows.dll in the System
folder) as part of their ANI 0day patch for unsupported operating
systems, so that they could PROTECT Win9x from that particular
vulnerability. Without unicows.dll in the System folder, there is no
unicode support in Win9x and their patch could not be implemented. So
in this case you are suggesting increasing risk rather than decreasing
it.
http://www.isotf.org/zert/

Some of the unsubstantiated balderdash that comes up in this group
lately, disguised as "security alerts", amazes me. Please put on your
tin-foil beanies and carry on.....
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

[glee]

"thanatoid" <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns9D00E84D6283Fthanexit@188.40.43.245...
> "Hot-text" <hot-text@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:CB74EAB5-FEFB-4BC8-8C21-D2BE5092B5F4@microsoft.com:
>
>> Why do we need unicows.dll in are Windows 98 all Version
>> System Folder for? And Why I need to get it from
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... splaylang=
>> en&FamilyID=73ba7bd7-ed06-4f0d-80a4-2a7eeaee17e2 Only?
>
> You can get if from any file depository. If MS told you (or one
> of their slaves) that only THEY can supply you with it, that's
> just so they can do a scan of your computer while you're
> connected to them with IE.
>
> That file is needed by a couple of programs, like an earlier
> (not latest) 98SE version of vlc and a few others I can't
> remember.
>
> Unless a program says something like "can't find unicows.dll,
> program/installation terminating", you don't need it.

Oh come on, thanatoid, they're scanning your computer for what? Your
secret decoder ring's hiding place? Go to the Microsoft site and
download the Microsoft Layer for Unicode (MSLU), and extract the files
to the System folder. Big deal. Use Opera to do it...there is no need
to use IE at all. No, you say...one should get the package from an
online file depository....why? To increase the risk of downloading a
virus-laden package from an unknown party? That makes a lot of
sense.....NOT!
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Oct. 2002 - Sept. 2009
A+
http://dts-l.net/

[bill in co.]

glee wrote:
> "thanatoid" <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in message
> news:Xns9D00E84D6283Fthanexit@188.40.43.245...
>> "Hot-text" <hot-text@hotmail.com> wrote in
>> news:CB74EAB5-FEFB-4BC8-8C21-D2BE5092B5F4@microsoft.com:
>>
>>> Why do we need unicows.dll in are Windows 98 all Version
>>> System Folder for? And Why I need to get it from
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... splaylang=
>>> en&FamilyID=73ba7bd7-ed06-4f0d-80a4-2a7eeaee17e2 Only?
>>
>> You can get if from any file depository. If MS told you (or one
>> of their slaves) that only THEY can supply you with it, that's
>> just so they can do a scan of your computer while you're
>> connected to them with IE.
>>
>> That file is needed by a couple of programs, like an earlier
>> (not latest) 98SE version of vlc and a few others I can't
>> remember.
>>
>> Unless a program says something like "can't find unicows.dll,
>> program/installation terminating", you don't need it.
>
> Oh come on, thanatoid, they're scanning your computer for what? Your
> secret decoder ring's hiding place?

Yup, I think you got it, Glen! See, they want your name and address, so
they can come and get ya, and lock ya up in San Quentin, don't ya know.
Big Brother has arrived! Geeesh!

ROFL!

[thanatoid]

"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
news:en5IWpllKHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:

<SNIP>

> Oh come on, thanatoid, they're scanning your computer for
> what? Your secret decoder ring's hiding place?

Hey, I have no life.,.. Give me a break... Paranoia at least
provides some amusement... Besides, MS have been forced to admit
on at least one occasion (that I remember) that their programs
were spying on the users (start of WGA). Who knows what they're
really up to. We ALL know they do not have a blemish-free record
of pure morality and have been stealing (they were convicted by
a French court of stealing the code from a French program,
sorry, I can't remember any more details) buying-out-to-kill,
spying all over the place and being good businessmen and
Americans in general.

And if they DO NOT check your machine, how come so many people
get "your copy of Windows may not be legal" when they go online?

Etc.

> Go to the
> Microsoft site and download the Microsoft Layer for Unicode
> (MSLU), and extract the files to the System folder. Big
> deal. Use Opera to do it...there is no need to use IE at
> all. No, you say...one should get the package from an
> online file depository....why? To increase the risk of
> downloading a virus-laden package from an unknown party?
> That makes a lot of sense.....NOT!

NOW who's being paranoid! www.driverguides.com and other major
driver sites are WELL known for spreading malware, right? NOT!

Besides, anyone who installs ANYTHING they DL'd without
AV/malware scan first is a moron, plain and simple.

Basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
basics, basics.

--
There are only two classifications of disk drives: Broken drives
and those that will break later.
- Chuck Armstrong (This one I think, http://www.cleanreg.com/,
not the ball player. But who knows. I can't remember where I got
the quote. But it's true.)

["j. p. gilliver]

In message
<49e44465-1cc7-4f2e-92fc-c512bdd6519d@k35g2000yqb.googlegroups.com>,
Robert Macy <macy@california.com> writes:
>I found it in my WINDOWS/SYSTEM folder and would like to move it to
>the appropriate application folder. How do I find which one uses
>it?
>
>Just move it out and wait?
>
>Or, is there some whizbang utility that looks through an application
>and lists all the .dll's it uses? Or, are they only called upon when
>certain sections of the program run? So there is no way.

There are such applications: Dependency Walker is one of them (has been
discredited by some here, but I think is a reasonable starting place).
They tell you, given an application (.exe or .dll file) to start from,
which other .dlls it uses (and I _think_ can run recursively, i. e. tell
you which those use, and which those use, and so on).

As for going at it the other way - i. e. "what software needs this .dll"
- I don't know of any, though there probably are some: it'd be a tedious
process, though, as it'd have to scan your whole system.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Hit any user to continue.

["j. p. gilliver]

In message <Xns9D02DB1F520Bthanexit@188.40.43.245>, thanatoid
<waiting@the.exit.invalid> writes:
>"glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
>news:en5IWpllKHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:
>
><SNIP>
>
>> Oh come on, thanatoid, they're scanning your computer for
>> what? Your secret decoder ring's hiding place?
>
>Hey, I have no life.,.. Give me a break... Paranoia at least
>provides some amusement... Besides, MS have been forced to admit

(-:
[]
>spying all over the place and being good businessmen and
>Americans in general.

(-:
>
>And if they DO NOT check your machine, how come so many people
>get "your copy of Windows may not be legal" when they go online?

To be fair, have people using '9x systems been getting that?
[]
>Besides, anyone who installs ANYTHING they DL'd without
>AV/malware scan first is a moron, plain and simple.
>
>Basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,

Agreed ...

>basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>basics, basics.
>
.... though not perhaps that far ... (-:
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
** http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/G6JPG-PC/JPGminPC.htm for ludicrously
outdated thoughts on PCs. **

Hit any user to continue.

[meb]

On 01/16/2010 02:22 PM, Hot-text wrote:
> WINDOWS IS GOING TO STOP UPDATES FOR WIN98

Actual updates from Microsoft for Windows 98SE stopped in April 2006
[and those mostly for IE6 and OE issues, not the system], or are you
referring to WU [Windows Update site]?

Where did you find information on the closure of WU to Win98 [if that's
what you're referring to]?

> so they will no more scanning of your computer for MS software that need
> updated.
> THERE Deleting INFO on WIN98 to make room for New Windows in the NT's

Here you would be somewhat correct, some of the older help and
information for Win9X is being removed or revised.

>
> So CRY of Spy,,, On XP and UP>>> we here to Help OP out with Win98!
>
> "thanatoid" <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in message
> news:Xns9D02DB1F520Bthanexit@188.40.43.245...
>> "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com> wrote in
>> news:en5IWpllKHA.5520@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:
>>
>> <SNIP>
>>
>>> Oh come on, thanatoid, they're scanning your computer for
>>> what? Your secret decoder ring's hiding place?
>>
>> Hey, I have no life.,.. Give me a break... Paranoia at least
>> provides some amusement... Besides, MS have been forced to admit
>> on at least one occasion (that I remember) that their programs
>> were spying on the users (start of WGA). Who knows what they're
>> really up to. We ALL know they do not have a blemish-free record
>> of pure morality and have been stealing (they were convicted by
>> a French court of stealing the code from a French program,
>> sorry, I can't remember any more details) buying-out-to-kill,
>> spying all over the place and being good businessmen and
>> Americans in general.
>>
>> And if they DO NOT check your machine, how come so many people
>> get "your copy of Windows may not be legal" when they go online?
>>
>> Etc.
>>
>>> Go to the
>>> Microsoft site and download the Microsoft Layer for Unicode
>>> (MSLU), and extract the files to the System folder. Big
>>> deal. Use Opera to do it...there is no need to use IE at
>>> all. No, you say...one should get the package from an
>>> online file depository....why? To increase the risk of
>>> downloading a virus-laden package from an unknown party?
>>> That makes a lot of sense.....NOT!
>>
>> NOW who's being paranoid! www.driverguides.com and other major
>> driver sites are WELL known for spreading malware, right? NOT!
>>
>> Besides, anyone who installs ANYTHING they DL'd without
>> AV/malware scan first is a moron, plain and simple.
>>
>> Basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>> basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>> basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>> basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>> basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics, basics,
>> basics, basics.
>>
>> --
>> There are only two classifications of disk drives: Broken drives
>> and those that will break later.
>> - Chuck Armstrong (This one I think, http://www.cleanreg.com/,
>> not the ball player. But who knows. I can't remember where I got
>> the quote. But it's true.)
>


--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---