"Searching for a new driver" error message

Hi, everyone!

First, thank you to anyone who can help me. My parents' computer has been having huge problems. My mom accidentally started deleting registry files in our Gateway 2000 desktop computer (Microsoft Windows 98, IntelPentium 3 processor). They haven't been able to even get the computer to the desktop screen. Every time they start the computer, it acts normally until it reaches this screen : "Add New Hardware Wizard." She goes through the procedure, thinking she deleted a driver somehow. It says "Seaching for a new driver for this device (CD-ROM drive)" and then it says "Failed! No class key! Enum/ROOT/=PNP0200/000 (I think). We tried the Windows Recovery disk that came with the computer, but it only gets us this far before giving this message. Is there anyone who can help us get the desktop back to where we can do something? I'm sorry I don't know more, but I am trying to do tech support for them while I'm at college and they're at home.

Justina

 

Take a look at device manager and see if there are any yellow triangles with a ! sysmbol showing

This is how to get to device manager http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;285122

You might have to do this in safe mode