I have a problem with windows explorer: if I log on, even in safe mode I get an error message. ("this program has encountered an error and needs to be shut down"). When I click 'close' the same message just comes back over and over

I tried setting the cd-rom as the primary drive and using the windows 98 installation cd but I was told that I couldn't install it since it was already the operating system in use

All my files are backed up so I simply want to reboot the whole operating system and I don't have windows2000

Help?! :confused:

Hi,
I use Win98SE; and have found the following maintenance steps to keep my computer running smoothly.
The fact that Windows Explorer will not open indicates 1 of 2 things:
1. Your registry is corrupt; and you can possible fix it.
2. You might have to reinstall Win98 if the scanreg /fix doesn't work.

Here are the steps I use:

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

If you can't get into SafeMode, then run the SCANREG /FIX from the C:>, and run SCANDISK from the C:> first.
The Boot Disk instructions are only if you have never made a Boot Disk.
Best wishes,
fredg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chunkyfaces

i have a problem with windows explorer: if i log on, even in safe mode i get an error message. ("this program has encountered an error and needs to be shut down"). when i click 'close' the same message just comes back over and over

i tried setting the cd-rom as the primary drive and using the windows 98 installation cd but i was told that i couldn't install it since it was already the operating system in use

all my files are backed up so i simply want to reboot the whole operating system and i don't have windows2000

help?!! :confused:

---

Is your Win 98 CD an Upgrade CD or a full version. If it's the upgrade that could count for the message you got (btw, its usually best to give us the EXACT message).

If you only have the Upgrade CD, do you have your old version of Windows? If you want to reformat, you will need to install the olde version then upgrade.

thank you for the assistance. Unfortunately I haven't had any joy.

after booting from the hard disk I got the list of options as you said, and I chose 'Command Prompt Only'

then I got the message:

The following file is missing or corrupted: COMMAND.COM

C:\>c:\windows\net initialize
3Com DOS Etherlink III Network Driver v30
Plug-n-play BIOS had initialized 1 3Com Etherlink III.
Adapter # 1: I/O Port = 210h, INT = 5
ERROR: No network adapter with specified IO address
ERROR: Initialization failure. Driver will not be installed

Press any key to continue...


it fails me what's going on with the computer, especially why a missing network adapter's causing problems when I'm happy enough to wipe the whole system clean and reinstall the operating system

I have resently salvaged this machine from work so I can work at home and I assume that this problem is something to do with the computer being given a new home. And since it has been collecting dust for almost a year I also assume that the virus protection isn't up to scratch

anyway... after pressing any key and continuing the same old thing happens: the Scandisk runs for a few minutes (since when I boot up the only way to 'log off' is using the power switch)

the error message when the system starts, word for word is:

'Explorer (written in the bar at the top of the box)

This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.

If the problem persists contact the program vendor'

the there are 3 options: 'close', 'debug' and 'details>>'


I would really appreciate any further assistance you might be able to provide

thanks again

Sounds like the hard drive is trashed. What exactly do you want to do with this machine?

Thanks again. The machine I have at work has all of the large software I need to do what I do plus the capacity to do almost anything I can throw at it so I'm not in much trouble when it comes to computer power. The machine I'm having problems with is just for the internet and for writing up of the work I do in the office while I'm at home, plus an extra bit of ram for backups and such. It runs matlab and mathcad occasionally when I need to get results or whatever.

I think it's looking like I might have to buy a laptop or a new hard drive for this machine. Do you have any advice in this area?

Really appreciate your help

A new hard drive might be the answer, but you will need to have copies of all your system drivers, the OS and your software to install on the new drive. Drives are cheap now, but you may want to check how large a drive your system can handle. This means finding out what motherboard is in it and checking the mfg's web site. You can get an 80G drive (I like Western Digitals) for under $50.