 |
|
| Neptune 5111 | |
| Kernel version | NT 5.00 |
|---|---|
| CPU architecture | x86 |
| Edition | Client Professional |
| BIOS date | December 10, 1999 |
Windows Neptune build 5111 is the Developer Release of Neptune and a Milestone 2 build.
It is the only build of Neptune to have leaked.
Features
Key / Timebomb
Most of the leaked ISO's have be detimebombed and dont require a key, however the untouched copy will accept the following key W7XTC - 2YWFB - K6BPT - GMHMV - B6FDY and/or any Windows 98 / 98Se Retail keys (Not MSDN,OEM or Upgrade)
The untouched copy has a timebomb of 444 days and does not need a specific BIOS date set.
Login Screen
The Login Screen in Neptune is an HTML and Javascript based UI. The Login Screen files can be found in logonhta.dll. Installing Internet Explorer 6 on this build usually causes the login screen to stop functioning.
User Accounts
Neptune introduced 4 types of accounts ranging from Owner to Guest
- Owner - This type of account is intended for people who can make system-wide changes to the computer. A person with an Owner account can make changes to all windows accounts that have been created for this computer, Such as changing account names, Pictures, Passwords, and account types
- Adult - This type of account is intended for people who can make standard changes to the computer. Such as installing applications and software
- Child - This type of account is intended for children whoose activity should be monitored and who should be safeguarded against corrupting computer settings and deleting important system files. Restricted accounts have limited access to internet content and can have limited computer time. A person with a child account can only change his or her own account name and picture
- Guest - This type of account is intended for Guests to use the computer , Guest accounts have restricted access to this computer. Settings, Themes and web browsing history will be erased each time a person with a guest account turns off the computer. Only Documents created by a guest person will be saved
User Accounts Panel
Another HTML and Javascript based UI, pretty much an early version of the Windows XP one. The source code for the applet is contained in nusrmgr.cpl.
Help Center
The Help Center in this build appears to be a direct copy from an early Windows ME build, as the internal branding and help text often contains references to "Windows Millennium". It is run by MSHTML and uses .htm and .xml files for most of the content, as can be seen in the data folder C:\WINNT\PCHealth\HelpCtr\System.
There is an inentionally commented out Windows 2000 Help Link (same help as the windows 200 RTM) in the homepage.htm code and the system restore Link points to a missing exe in the wnnt directory
The database is a .mdb file and can be edited with Microsoft Access (after Whistler 2202, Microsoft switched to a different file format that doesn't allow easy editing); copying the database from early Windows ME builds should add the full range of support topics, however some broken help links will show up.
Using the HCupdate.exe in the binary folder and a properly configured .cab file allows updates to the Help Center components.
Bug Report
The bug reporting is launched via the "Help And Support Center" and is not linked to on the start menu , like most of the other html based apps it appears to be from an early windows me build (Much of the branding still says "windows miliennium"
There are two ways of lauching the report a bug , one is via the desktop shortcut "Report a Bug" and the other is to click on the comments on the top of every dialog/window
Creating a bug report still works creating a cab file in the root of C:, However the reporting servers have been shutdown/reperposed years ago
The page code is "bugrep.htm" in the vendor folder
Bugrep.htm contains 2 commented out sections "Direct x Team" & "system restore team"
Auto Update
Microsoft Autoupdate in Neptune is hidden away in the c:/WINNT directory named wuauclt.exe (That could stand for Windows Update Auto Update Client) This is another of the HTML applications and the UI code is storeed in wuauhtml.dll
Activity Centers
Activity Centers are single window applications, Written in a combination of HTML and the Win32 API, that facilitate easy ways to complete common tasks, However, by the release of Windows Millennium Beta 1 in the fall of 1999, it was clear that the underlying Activity Center technology wasnt going to be far enough along to provide the needed HTML hooks into the traditional Win32 interface, So plans where scaled back dramaticly, Microsoft axed Photo Center, Gaming Activity Center and the Home Networking Configuration Center before ever releasing them publicly to testers
Remnants of the Activity Centers where phased out by Millennium Build 2419 and where replaced by oher applications
The Activity Centers main layouts are contained in the "ACCORE.DLL" (Activity Center CORE.DLL) and is used to tie all the activity center resources together via the html layout extracted when the dll is registered
Installing Activity Centers
To install the Activity Centers in this build, follow these instructions:
- Put your Neptune installation CD into your CD drive.
- Click Start, Run or press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type in regsvr32 X:\i386\accore.dll (where X:\ is the drive letter of your CD drive) and press Enter.
- Now you can find the files in %WINDIR%\Activity.
You can set the activity centers as a background, as it is probably meant to be, by doing the following:
- Right click the desktop, click properties and go to the Web tab.
- Put a tick in the box with: Show Web content on my Active Desktop.
- Click the "New" button and browse to the activity center's main homepage (%WINDIR%\Activity\Start\StartPage\start.htm).
- Maximize the new screen at the desktop by hovering over the top with your mouse and clicking the second right button.
- Optional: Remove the icons by right clicking in the empty space on the desktop, hovering over "Active Desktop" and clicking "Show Desktop Icons". Then place your mouse over the left border and stretch it as far left as possible or click the third right button.
After many years, Extensive file edits, Lots of research and trial and error, Ex-BA member KenOath was able to fix the Activity Centers as close to what Microsoft intended.
Setup Upgrade Bug
Inserting a Windows Neptune Disc in to a windows xp computer will show a message saysing "This CD-ROM contains a newer version of Windows than the one you are presently using. Would you like to Install neptune
Gallery
- Setup 29.PNG
Login Screen
- Setup 22.PNG
User Accounts Panel
Help and Support
Activity Center
Neptune Disc
Neptune Desktop
