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kfstacey
Nov 23, 2004, 11:34 PM
Can anyone tell me how to go back a few days when my computer was working good, i know you go to start, run, type a word, like
Msconfig, and ok... you can choose a day that your computer was working good.

Thank you... [email protected]
Please e-mail me...

urmod4u
Nov 24, 2004, 02:51 AM
No, Windows98 keeps no back-up copy of its registry.
But you can always reinstall Windows98 on top of the old installation - without formatting. Your data will not be lost.

cremedies
Nov 24, 2004, 09:04 PM
Unfortunately, urmod4u is incorrect. I normally don't like correcting people because I realize that no one knows everything, myself included, but this one I cannot let slip by since I repair computers for a living.

YES, you absolutely CAN restore your computer to a date before your computer started to behave badly in Windows 98. Simply boot to a Windows 98 Startup/Boot Disk, change directory to the C:\ drive and type in: scanreg /restore with a single space between scanreg and the forward slash (/), and press the ENTER key.

You will then receive a list of system restore dates that you can choose from. Select a restore date by using your arrow keys and press ENTER to begin the restoration process.

urmod4u
Nov 25, 2004, 04:17 PM
Cremedies goes fast.
If there is no backup of the registry, there is nothing to repair.
And I guess that this is the case here, because Win98 just doesn't make copies of the registry. One has to do it manually. I was not wrong.
In most cases, Cremedies' procedure will not restore the computer to the previous state.
Reloading win98 on top of the existing installation will rebuild the registry, will restore WIN98 files that were deleted by mistake, and will revalidate existing applications.

cremedies
Dec 6, 2004, 11:17 PM
Actually, "Windows 98" DOES make backup copies of the registry automatically. I have explained the entire procedure in one of the 4 computer repair manuals that I have written over the last two years. If you would like to view the Windows 98 manual that describes this procedure, you may currently download it for free at the link below. Just click on the "Products" page and then on "Free Downloads".

Please note that I'm not trying to "one up" anyone... I'm merely speaking from my own personal experience from something that I have done numerous times in my computer repair business. I'm not trying to offend anyone. Just passing on knowledge and trying to insure that people get the correct information.

fredg
Dec 7, 2004, 06:40 AM
HI,
I use Win98SE because I like it over 2000 and XP. Win98/98SE automatically makes backup copies of the Registry. It only keeps the last 4 days listed, and makes the backup when the computer is shut down, then re-started.
One volunteer gave you the scanreg /restore. This WILL work, if your sys.ini files have not been changed too drastically.
You can also re-install Win98/98SE by selecting from the menu of your install CD's; install Win98. IF you select "delete and install", then you will have to re-install all your hardware (printers, scanners) and all your programs like word, photo programs, everything!!

Here are some maintenance steps and things to do for Win98/98SE; which help keep my computer running smoothly:

Registry Repair should be done whenever there are problems:

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.

Win98/98SE Regular Maintenance
All of these should be run whenever Win98/98SE starts giving problems. It will keep the computer running smoothly.

Before doing any of the following; turn off wallpaper and screensavers before re-starting or re-booting the computer.

Safe Mode is best where indicated, because most programs are not running meaning their files are closed, or not in use. This allows them to be scanned much better, repaired, or defragged better.

1. Scandisk
Start in Safe Mode by:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter
After it boots to Safe Mode, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools, and click on Scandisk.
(It is faster if set on "Standard", the "Thorough" usually is not needed and takes a long, long time).
Click on "Start" and let it run until finished.

2. Defrag
When Scandisk is finished, click on "Close".
Now, go back to the same place, but this time, click on "Defrag".
Click on OK, and wait until it finishes (might take 1 hour if not done within a month).
After it finishes, Click on OK or whatever.
Then, re-boot.

The following Boot Disk has to be done only one time.

Also, a "must have" is a Boot Disk, for Win98/98SE. One never knows when the computer might not load windows and go to the desktop... it does happen.

Here are steps to make one:

Insert the Win98/98SE CD in the CD-ROM drive.
Go to Start/Programs/Windows Explorer
Double click on D:/ , if that is your CD-ROM drive letter.
Find and open the folder; Tools/Mtsutil/Fat32ebd (stands for Emergency Boot Disk)
Double click on the file Fat32ebd.exe and follow the instructions to create the Boot Disk.
Then remove the CD from the CD-ROM.

Now, we must test the Boot Disk to see if it works.
Shut down the computer; then turn it back on with the Boot Disk still in the computer.
When a screen comes up, use the up and down arrows on the keyboard to select "Boot with CD-ROM support". Then press Enter.
It will show some things about the computer, and then come up to the A:> prompt.
Now, insert a CD (any will do) into the CD-ROM.
Wait until it "spins" and the light goes off.
Now, at the A:> prompt, type in DIR D:
It will now look like A:>DIR D:
It should show all the files on the CD.
If so, the Boot Disk is good. If NOT, repeat all the above.
If it's good, then remove the CD, manually turn off the computer, and remove the Boot Disk. Turn on the computer and it's ready to go.

Here are some "tweaks" for Win98/98SE that really work well.

Win98SE Tweaks for better performance
http://www.speedguide.net/read_articles.php?id=170

To extract files: here are steps:
Extract the following from c/cabs/cab53 and cab54.
(Right click on a Cab, then left click on View).
To extract a file then seen, Right click on the file,
Then Left click on Extract.
Vcomm.vxd
Vdmad.vxd
Configmg.vxd
Vdd.vxd
Vmouse.vxd
Ntkern.vxd
Vflat.vxd
Extract to:
c/windows/system; and also to:
c/windows/system/vmm32.

Win98SE USB Updates:
http://www.usbman.com/win98seusbguide.htm

You don't have to be a computer expert to use all the above.
I wish you the best,
fredg

garence33
Dec 14, 2008, 06:41 PM
I need a Windows 98 SE bootable CD, does anybody know where I can get s free down-
Load ?

Tj3
Dec 14, 2008, 11:03 PM
I need a Windows 98 SE bootable CD, does anybody know where I can get s free down-
load ?

Should be able to get it from here:

Bootdisk.Com (http://www.bootdisk.com/)