Explorer caused an invalid page fault

I have another computer with Windows 98 installed. The problem is when I start up I get "This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down". In the details it says "EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module EXPLORER.EXE at 0167:00401f31". Then it lists some registers and other info. When I close this it just gives me a blank desktop with nothing on it, so I can't do anything.

I've tried restoring the registers, but this didn't help. I also tried restoring internet explorer by changing "shell=Explorer.exe" to "shell=Program.exe", but when I rebooted, the Program Manager wasn't able to start (I had to just shut down).

Also, I don't have the Windows 98 startup disks as the computer was given to me.

Is there anything else I can do to fix this? So far I've had no luck.

Thanks.

 

Try booting to the Command prompt then type scanreg/restore. Pick a date before the problem started then reboot.

Now if you have already tried this (I wasn't sure what you meant by

run an up to date virus scanner if you can boot to safe mode.

Oh and if you changed the shell = explorer.exe in the system.ini file then change it back as that is what it should say.

 

Unless something important is installed on the machine, then I would extract the cd-key and do a complete reinstall using a install-cd from a friend.

 

Try an sfc scan and see if that helps. I know 98 has a file checker because I had to fix my cousin's old laptop with windows 98 and i can run sfc /scannow. Try that command if you can get a windows cd and let us know if that helps.
-the new tech guy