Internet Explorer crashes when pc turned on.

[ChetN]

Three days ago I removed Microsoft Office 2000, anticipating to reload a later version. The next day when I turned on the pc, I received an error message saying that "Explorer has caused a page fault in module Internet Explorer...etc." The pc will not go past this point, turning it into a large paperweight.

PC: Windows 98.

So I have three questions:
1. If I boot into DOS is there a way to bypass Internet Explorer, and what happens to the desktop display?
2. If I have to reformat and reload software from an installation disc, will a new copy of IE be installed?
3. Is this really a problem caused by something other than IE?

 

[kjv1611]

If you can't get any further than that in Windows like you are saying, then I would suggest first doing a Safe Boot:

Just before You would see the Windows boot screen (Windows, not the computer/info boot screen), hit the F8 key, and you should get a DOS screen with options: Safe Mode, w/networking, normal, etc. Choose safe mode, and see if the problem recreates itself. If it doesn't, then you can run various tests and such from there. If you have any registry editor programs, such as in Norton Systemworks, you could run this at this point, and see if that fixes it - maybe something went quirky in the registry?

Just a suggestion. But, if you can boot in safe mode, then I would think you can fix it. I don't think you can get into MSConfig on 98, but maybe you can and I just can't remember. If you can, then it would be Start -> Run, and type "msconfig" in the dialog there. Then, I would look in the Services and Startup tabs and uncheck anything that might say "office" on it, and see if that clears it up - just a guess since Office is what you removed.

Of course, my number one suggestion would actually be to post this in forum615 , it is the Windows 95/98 forum, and I would think you would find more info there, since it is probably more related to Windows 98 issues than Office.


As far as option 1: yes, there are ways to boot in through Dos, and fix windows, and there are actually 3rd party programs out there to help you do it - I've not used them myself, but I know there are at least one or two really good ones that are Linux based (from what I've read).

Question 2: If you reinstall windows, it will reinstall internet explorer by default, yes, but not Office, unless you have it as part of a pre-installation type deal from Compaq or HP or someone like that.

Question 3: It could be just a file got misdirected or something. You could also try checking around for registry editing/checking programs out there. There are several free ones.

But, in the end, if you don't know what you're doing, and you're not interested in trying to take the time to figure it out, and you don't want to pay someone to do it, and you don't care if you lose your data, then you could just format it and start over. Unless you have some hardware issues, that option would be the easiest for sure - if you ended up finding a less than 30 minute solution beforehand, then it would not be the fastest, but if not, then it will probably the the fastest option.

Stephen
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

 

[ChetN]

kjv1611,
Thanks for the info and heads-up. I reposted in the proper forum.

p.s. Safe mode failed as well.