Try using Automatic Skip Driver Agent
Start >> Run
MSinfo32
Tools menu >> Automatic Skip Driver
Alot of info using All System Info Utility tools here;
Automatic Skip Driver (ASD) identifies failures that have caused Windows 98 to stop responding on previous startups and marks them so they are bypassed on subsequent startups.
You'll See a "Click Here" to start Automatic Skip Driver.
You can also start Automatic Skip Driver AS I DESCRIBE ABOVE or by clicking Start, pointing to Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to System Tools, and then clicking System Information. In System Information, click Tools, and then click Automatic Skip Driver Agent.
All devices or operations that have failed to start are listed by ASD. You can use ASD to enable any device previously disabled by ASD, and Windows 98 will attempt to use the device on the next startup attempt. If it fails, your computer will stop responding. When you restart your computer again, ASD will prevent the operation from running allowing you to start your computer.
Click Details to identify the failing device and display a suggested course of action.
TT4U
Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.