[lindalee]

Running Windows 98SE. Have just installed modem privacy protection, updates from Microsoft website and MSN Messenger. Then PC crashed. I'm running AVG free antivrus. On reboot get message: 'While initializing device AVGCORE windows protection error. Need to restart'. On restart can only get safemode and can't find the problem in device manager. Please Help!

[Curlyben]

Running Windows 98SE. Have just installed modem privacy protection, updates from Microsoft website and MSN Messenger. Then pc crashed. I'm running AVG free antivrus. On reboot get message: 'While initializing device AVGCORE windows protection error. Need to restart'. On restart can only get safemode and can't find the problem in device manager. Please Help!

From the message I'd say that AVG didn't install correctly.
If you can get into Safe mode, uninstall AVG and reboot to normal and try reinstalling it again.

Hope this helps.

[fredg]

Hi,
If you have updated ALL the updates from Windows Updates, that could be one of your problems.
Some of those updates do NOT work well with Win98/98SE!
I also use Win98SE; with AVG, no problems.

Here are some suggestions you might try: If you get into Safe Mode, you should be able to get to the C:> prompt also.

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 wish, please print out, when you can, the above. They are great for reference later on.
Best wishes,
fredg

[lindalee]

To fredg: Many thanks for taking the trouble and no I didn't download all the updates - only the critical ones for Windows 98SE! I have, although I'm not sure how, managed to resurrect my computer, but I will definitely keep the info on repairing the registry for another time! Scan disk and defrag are used regularly, but I'm going to check out your link for the tweaks.

[lindalee]

From the message I'd say that AVG didn't install correctly.
If you can get into Safe mode, uninstall AVG and reboot to normal and try reinstalling it again.

Hope this helps.

Hi! AVG installation was not the problem as this was done quite some time ago and has been running smoothly - up to that point! Computer is now up and running, but thanks for the reply.