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General discussion

Windows 98 crashed

Mar 5, 2004 3:54AM PST

A friend of mine has asked me to post this, as his computer no longer works. He deleted some files he shouldn't have and now Windows 98 no longer starts. How can he restore the system? He says he no longer has the Windows 98 installation disks

Discussion is locked

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Re:Windows 98 crashed (and I have no 98 CD or disks.)
Mar 5, 2004 4:00AM PST
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(NT) Find a Windows 98 CD on ebay, or copy the deleted files from another machine (using MS-DOS).
Mar 5, 2004 5:30AM PST

.

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Re:Windows 98 crashed
Mar 5, 2004 5:32PM PST

Thanks for that.

So Windows 98 doesn't have the "last successful boot" function, or whatever it's called that XP has?

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Last succesfull boot.
Mar 5, 2004 7:20PM PST

Windows 98 has various things like that (a boot option, and scanreg /restore), but both don't cover the delete of essential OS files, only certain settings.
Windows XP has better facilities indeed (System Restore), but I wonder if they are foolproof.

And you'll agree that it isn't exactly smart to delete part of the OS without having a backup that works without those parts, nor the installation media.

Kees

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Re:Last succesfull boot.
Mar 6, 2004 7:34PM PST

OK...just a short update.

I've managed to locate a Win 98 cd. I also have Win 2k. He's asked if I could install Win 2k on his machine instead.

So my idea was to take his hard drive with me. hook it up to my computer, copy his files onto my hard drive and install 2k on his. Then move his stuff back onto his drive. Should be simple enough. I've now stumbled onto another problem: The computer wants to boot only off his drive. I've tried changing the connections around, but it makes no difference - I'm not familiar enough with the computer set-up configuration to want to mess around with it. How can I boot my computer (which runs XP) whilst having his drive attached? As soon as I remove his drive completely, there's no probs again (as you can see, because I'm here!!)

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(NT) A PC boots from the master on IDE 1.
Mar 7, 2004 3:18AM PST

.

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(NT) One of my PC boots from the master on IDE 0. IDE 1 is the Secondary...
Mar 7, 2004 3:23AM PST

Love the PC industry being consistently inconsistent.

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(NT) What's in a name? And always RTFM.
Mar 7, 2004 4:29AM PST

.

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(NT) You got a manual?
Mar 7, 2004 7:42AM PST

.

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Re:Windows 98 crashed
Mar 8, 2004 6:47AM PST

Having removed files that are needed, there is only one cure, (with several options, ) If he has NOT emptied the recycle bin.. He can restore the deleted files from there.. Provided he can identify Those Files from any other files in the BIN.. im gonna guess they are already permanently deleted. This means he will have to use a 98 se CDrom. I might suggest he Borrow a CD from someone he knows who has one??.If all else fails, it may be possible to obtain a USED copy from a number of sourses. I'd try Pricewatch.com 1st. Fear Not.The solution to his problem and getting the PC working again is as simple as re installing Windows 98!!
If all this proves too hard contact me by email. we May be able to supply a COPY by mail if all else fails.. As i have an outfit here locally that deals in USED software.. we will have to see What they want for a used copy of Win 98.. But there is that option.. best com2pc. Com2pc@aol.com

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Your new SPAM.
Mar 8, 2004 7:26AM PST

Your email address in in a public posting. This is a good way to get more SPAM.

I can delete it on request.

Bob