Windows 98, boots but won't load programs

[tdk99]

I am using Windows 98 Plus.  Yesterday I deleted my temporary Internet files and my cookies.  Now my system boots up with the windows 98 screen and with the sign in window, but after sign in, nothing comes up.  I press Ctr-Alt-Del to see what programs are running, at first there were none.  I shut down my computer with the button in order to get the scandisk to operate upon restart.  Now when I press Ctrl-Alt-Del, I get an Explorer, Rundll32 and another Rundll32.  I restarted the computer and pressed on F8 and it took me to a window with a systemboard icon and a memory icon, a HDD-1 icon etc.  I clicked on each and it seemed to run a test on each of them.  I got an OK under each of the icons that were listed after the tests.  It seems that the programs are not loading for some reason.  Any idea of what is happening and how I can fix it?

[Backdated]

I suspect malware at work here, maybe a shell hijack. What happens in Safe Mode?
If Safe Mode seems to work OK, post back. If it doesn't, try this:
Reboot to DOS, enter scanreg /restore and a series of restore points should appear. Pick the newest one prior to your problems occurring and OK it.

[tdk99]

Thanks for your reply.  How do I get to safe mode and post back? How do I reboot to DOS mode? I am sorry, I am not a computer guru as you can see.

[Backdated]

Continually tapping the F8 key just after boot will get you to a startup menu. You can choose these options from there. It may take a few attempts to get your timing right so be patient and try a few times.

[tdk99]

Thanks again for your assistance.  I was able to get to an Easy-Setup menu that had a box that says Start up.  I click on the box and nothing happens.  Is this the start up menu?

[tdk99]

When I push the F8 key at boot, I get a 00301 error and then it allows me to go and test as I did above.

[Backdated]

It sounds like you're getting a BIOS setup screen. Wait a little while before hitting the F8 key. You should eventually get a screen like this:



As I said though, getting the timing right can take a little practice!

[tdk99]

I found that screen.  I choose Safe mode and it still just has a green screen with nothing except safe mode in the 4 corners of the screen.  Do I get to the DOS prompt by choosing command prompt?

[tdk99]

How do I post back in safe mode in Windows 98?

[sodataxi]

Yes, Go to the Command Prompt and type scanreg /restore then press enter, it will come up with restore points, select one which is the closest time to date when your computer was working


Soda

[tdk99]

Sodareg, thanks.  The closest date is over 1 year old, is that OK?

[tdk99]

sodataxi,

The newest date is 04/04/05, over 1 year ago.  Is that OK?

[sodataxi]

Yeah, give it a try, if it wont work, it will come up with an error but should work

Soda

[tdk99]

Soda,

It looks like it worked.  Thank you very much for your help.

Tdk99

[sodataxi]

Anytime  

Soda