Windows 98 startup Problem

[NSolano]

I recently had my AOL account PW reset by Aol because somenoe had hacked into my system and started using my account to send junk maill. I downloaded Mcafee virus software from teh AOL virus site and then scanned my computer. I found about 8 corrupted files and i had them cleaned or deleted. Only one which was called TEMP~1 was not deleted, but i trained cleaning it. The computer had been working fine for about two days after the cleaning, yesterday it was resetted and now it doesn't work. The main Compaq screen comes up, then the windows 98 logo just like it always does when it loads, and then thats it, it freezes. I treid pressing lots of buttons and then a different screen came up, it said Mcafee virus scan in DOS mode, it scanned the C:/ drive 16 times before it froze again. Does anyone know how I could fix this, or wahts wrong it?? I am thinking about putting it on safemode and back up the files and reinstall windows, but i lost my windows 98 CD.

 

[snootalope]

I can't remember right, but does the "step-by-step confirmation" go through the GUI process? It's been a long time, but I think it might. Try that from start up menu.. Of course, if you find the file or command that's causing the trouble, simply by-pass it! "tis better to be thought of as a fool then open your mouth and remove all doubt" Mark Twain

"I should of been a doctor.." Me

 

[gargouille]

Boot to safe mode and try scanreg(space)/fix

 

[gargouille]

Should've added from Start/Run

 

[bygeek]

Start from a boot disk or boot into safe mode and look at the Autoexec.bat file. See if there is a line or two at the very end that say something like "if error...pause". If so, insert the letters REM at the begining of the line, then save the file and reboot normally. Sometimes McAfee will insert these lines, which cause the bootup process to stop, but it never tells you why. If you "rem" out these lines it should boot properly.

 

[NSolano]

ok, i've tried starting it from Safe mode by pressing f1 or delete. The problem is that it doesn't work.. The only key that works is f12 which sends me to setup. I tried rebooting many times, everytime it does the same it either freezes on windows 98 screen or ont he macfee DOS scan thing, the keyboard also freezes up cuase i can't even put caps lock on afterwards. Any other suggestions?? so i can at least boot it in safe mode??

 

[gargouille]

F8 should give you the boot menu...and give you the chance to do safe mode...do it as soon as the computer gets into the post info...(yours may be blocked by splash screen)
Once in Safe Mode you oughta' be able to turn off the DOS scan thing...if not follow NSolano's advice and edit the autoexec.bat file. But you don't need to use a boot disk if you're already there....
Do a start/run/sysedit and there will appear all the prep files from startup...rem out the line or lines for McAfee dos scan...a rem in front of each one will make them ignored.

 

[gargouille]

Oops, wasn't paying attention, huh?
YOU'RE NSolano, bygeek was the advisor misquoted...anyway...

 

[NSolano]

i checked them, it says REM in front of it already. i will edit it again. Any other ideas? any other files i should REM

 

[NSolano]

ok, problem fixed. it turned out that there was a pause command all the way in the bottom that i missed the first two times i edited the file, it said something about a virus find, I guess macafee never cleaned my corrupted files. i am going to scan again, hopefully this thing won't happen again. Now a new problem, any ideas on how to delete files that you are not allowed to. Something about write protected?

 

[gargouille]

Highlight the file and right click and choose properties...and uncheck the read only attribute of the file...then dumpit