1st post from old-timer with new problem

Hi all. I've a big problem with my W98 system. I think it's acquired a virus or malware or suchlike so when I try to boot up it takes me to the win 98 instal page (or a copy) and is asking for the activation code but w98 was installed b4 I acquired the PC so I don't know this code.

Also, If I try to boot in safe mode I get a general protection fault (stack dump etc) forcing me to close explorer so I can't workaround that way.

So I ask, is there any way I can investigate via dos?

How I think this happened was ... I had a couple of problems about a year ago but had been running smoothly until my son & I were searching the web for some dinosaur drawings to print off about 3 weeks ago and then I think the system either crashed or locked and when re-booted, no more w98

BTW I found some discs of AVG 6.656 and run them on the PC - the scan was no infections so although out of date, it may be purely an error in a program, but I just don't know.

BTW, I'm contacting you by a forced purchase and upgrade to win XP on another PC. Bit of a bummer really, I liked the headroom w98 gave me.

Apologies if this type of q's already been answered in these forums but I couldn't determine a response with reference to DOS based investigation tools and all of the FAQ files seemed to point to software to be used within various windows versions.

Thanks for reading my post, I hope someone can assist since I'd really like to be able to fix this issue.

Regards all

Charles

 

Just a few things you might try:

1. Reboot the computer
2. Press and hold the left CTRL key as the computer is booting.
3. Select the option for Safe mode command prompt only.

If you can get there type scanreg /fix to attempt to fix the current registry settings. If that does not work, from DOS prompt type scanreg /restore and pick a previous good boot to restore.

Let us know.

Steve

 

Thanks - I tried this but each restore aborted.

But I've been looking into the Microsoft KB's, specifically 'Various Error Messages May Be Displayed After You Install Internet Explorer' KB 225040

I tried their suggestion to amend the system.ini file, as below.

If you do not have access to your desktop, you may need to change the "shell=" line in the System.ini file to "shell=progman.exe": 1. Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Command prompt only.
2. At the command prompt, type cd windows, where windows is the folder in which Windows is installed, and then press ENTER.
3. Type edit system.ini, and then press ENTER.
4. Change the "shell=" line to "shell=progman.exe".
5. Press ALT+F, press S to save the System.ini file, press ALT+F, and then press X to quit the editor.
6. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart your computer.
7. In Program Manager, click Run on the File menu, and then click Browse.
8. Double-click the drive C:\, double-click the Window~1 folder, double-click the Ie5setup.exe file, and then click OK.
9. Follow the directions on the screen to install Internet Explorer 5.

This stopped the error msg so I can now run program manager in w98 safe mode but I can't find the ie setup file?

I'm looking through the MS KB's but I'd appreciate any pointers guys.

Thanks

Charles

 

Just a thought, because I'm running IE6 which I've installed from an ISP cd, should I be looking to re-install from another folder instead?

At present my CD doesn't respond ( stopped a long time ago) so I can't re-install from there, yet

Any ideas?

 

Charles,

Click on My Computer, click on (C) drive, click on the Windows folder, click on the Windows Update Setup Files folder and iesetup should be there.

You might also try the steps below:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs, click Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or 6 and Internet Tools, and then click Add/Remove.
3. Click Repair Internet Explorer, click OK, and then click Yes when you are prompted to repair the installation.
4. Click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer.

Steve

 

You idea's good but I can't execute it.

If I boot into w98 I am presented with an install w98 screen, if I boot in safe mode I get a gen prot fault with explorer (but I can run if I change system.ini to point to progman.exe instead.

What is good, however, that it appears to be a corrupted file that's doing this rather than a virus.

Not sure what to do next?

 

Try Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > click on System Information. From the Tools menu, choose and run System File Checker and Registry Checker.

Steve