So... I have Windows 98, and every time I boot to the startup screen, I get a registry error. I googled it, found these instructions:



To Repair the Registery:
Turn off the computer; or reboot; then immediately press F8, (or, could be F5) located on top of the keyboard. Keep it press down until an options window comes up, then release it.
(If F8 or F5 doesn't work, then re-boot, and immediately press down the CTRL key, hold down until it comes up to the options screen).
Use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select "Command Prompt Only".
Press Enter
You will now see C:>
Type in SCANREG /FIX (there is a space between the G and the / ).
You will now see C:>SCANREG /FIX
Press Enter
This will take about 5 minutes or so.
When finished, press Enter for OK.
Manually, turn off the computer, wait a few seconds, the turn it back on.
If you don't have the "Command Prompt Only" option, then re-boot the computer normally.
Go to Start/ShutDown, then choose "restart in ms-dos mode".
It will come up to C:\windows.
Type in CD C:\
It will look like C:>windows CD C:\
Press Enter.
It will then be at the C:> prompt.
Then type in SCANREG /FIX
Press Enter
When it returns to the C:> prompt, then manually turn off the computer, and turn it back on.

These were pretty much what I got throughout my search (some steps removed but the basics were the same: Get to C prompt, use scanreg), so I decide to try them.

The problem: This doesn't work.

I get a "Bad command or file name" every time I try this. Any suggestions?

If it matters, this is what I see every time I try this (exactly):


C:\>scanreg /fix
Bad command or file name

C:\>

I would try SCANREG /? To get a list of possible options. If you that doesn't help then try SCANREG /RESTORE and then press enter. This should be able to take you back to before the errors.


Good Luck

I would try SCANREG /? to get a list of possible options. If you that doesnt help then try SCANREG /RESTORE and then press enter. This should be able to take you back to before the errors.


Good Luck

I got the same "Bad command or file name" response from both those options. I tried them both in uppercase and lowercase, though I'm not sure if that matters or not. It can't hurt, I know that much.

Try this I use windows 98SE and had success as follows. In DOS list choose "Safe Mode Command Prompt Only". At C: prompt type scanreg/restore and hit enter key. Looks like this C:scanreg/restore. No space between the g and /. In the list choose your latest date to restore.

Also if possible choose a restore point marked STARTED next to it.