I don’t have a clue how to help you. However, I won’t let this keep me from adding my two cents.
My three suggestions run from mild to wild, easiest and safest first.
In Information, click Tools and select System File Checker. Run this. It may locate the trouble. When it finishes, click the Details… button to view the results. If a problem is discovered, you should be given an opportunity to correct it: Usually a re-installation of a few files from your Windows CD.
Moving on, we’ll get a little deeper.
Let’s assume that your file associations and shortcuts were scrambled.
In FIND, set the filenames to locate to *.exe and click Find Now button. You should get a ton of files, some with recognisable icons, and some with a generic.
Right click a programs you’re missing and select Create Shortcut. You’ll probably get a message saying “You can’t create here, how about your desktop?” Go along with Windows’ suggestion and create a new shortcut, then test it. If this fix works, continue using it until everything works.
Now, for the final, last chance, only if all else fails, registry restore. Only walk this path once you’ve exhausted all other measures, and are facing a total system re-installation. That way, you haven’t lost anything if things get messed up. If this works, you’ve saved a ton of work compared to the alternative.
Assuming your Registry has been destroyed, or altered beyond usefulness, you’ll need replace it with an earlier, correct copy. Each boot causes a new registry backup, with the last five stored. Check C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP\*.CAB for these. Files created before your current troubles are most important. Make copies in a secure location. Rename or erase RB???.CAB files created when your system was corrupt.
Ideally, you want to finish with RB???.CAB files in this directory which have all been created at a time when your system was running properly.
To restore your registry, you must get rid of your old one. Windows will install a replacement from the RB???.CAB files in your \SYSBCKUP directory when you next boot.
Click Start, Shutdown, MD-DOS mode.
Change directory to Windows CD \WINDOWS
Remove hidden and read-only attributes
ATTRIB –h SYSTEM.DAT
ATTRIB –r SYSTEM.DAT
ATTRIB –h USER*.DAT
ATTRIB –r USER*.DAT
Erase the files
ERASE SYSTEM.DAT
ERASE USER*.DAT
Now press Ctrl-Alt-Del keys simultaneously to reboot, (or shut off the power)
Your system will boot to DOS and you’ll see a message recommending you run SCANREG
Run SCANREG now.
Your system will display some scary text based stuff. Just go along with it.
Your system will require another boot. This time, it will bring up Windows in safe mode. Once running, reboot again. This time, you’ll get normal Windows.
A suggestion – Download RegClean from Microsoft. It’s small, quick, and easy to run. If you don’t, at least run Information, Check Registry, which comes with Win98.
Cheers, PW.
P.S. This is as good a time as any to repeat how much anguish I’ve been spared because I make back-ups regularly. This problem would be solved on my system in less time than it would take me to enjoy a coffee. I’d simply restore from an image I know is OK.
In addition, knowing I have the safety net in place, I can perform an experiment such as destroying and regenerating my registry without fear. Without this ability, I could never test my advice before posting.
Pssst! I test everything I post. |
