cannot start windows98 -- mprexe error at blank desktop

[PBentl]

I am troubleshooting a desktop computer that was worked on before I got it. I don't know what was done before I started. Apparently programs were uninstalled (printer, etc). It looks like a reinstall may have been performed as well. System tools version conflict manager reported a vast amount of older files that replaced newer versions last week. I restored the newer versions and can't get beyond the empty desktop.

I have read up on the error, and it seems related to password lists. I read up on workarounds, and followed them by removing the password lists from Windows\system folder. I continue to get the error.

Any suggestions on how to prevent the machine from executing mprexe so that I can at least run windows and continue troubleshooting?

 

[ski]

What is the exact text of the error message, incl. Details?

 

[mattjurado]

Boot to safe mode, run msconfig, go to startup tab, uncheck all background apps.

Matt J.

 

[PBentl]

ski: The exact text is: "mprexe" and the standard "This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down" message. If I click on "details" the dialogue box disappears and the machine hangs with the empty desktop (Windows default green).

mattjurado: The machine hangs with this error even in Safe Mode. I cannot start Windows...period.

 

[ski]

If the system uses Win 98 or 98SE, then reinstall Windows over itself.
You will need a Windows installation CD, and a boot floppy to do this.
You can make a boot floppy on another Win 98 system if you do not have one in Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs/Startup Disk.

-Insert the boot floppy, and start the computer(Make sure that the Floppy drive the 1st boot device in BIOS if the system does not boot from the floppy).
-Select 'Start with CD-ROM support', and press Enter.
-At the A:\> prompt, type X: (where X is the CD-ROM drive's letter as shown above the A:\> prompt, i.e., D, E, etc.), and press Enter.
-At the X:\> prompt type SETUP, insert the Windows CD, and press Enter.
-Follow the instruction to reinstall Windows.

 

[ANFPS26]

This can happen if there is not sufficient RAM:

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/Q238/4/54.ASP&NoWebContent=1

Jim

 

[mattjurado]

Try either of these two commands from dos

scanreg /fix

scanreg /restore

Matt J.

 

[PBentl]

Thanks for your help all. Re-installed Windows 98, helped me start Windows without "mprexe" error. This was obviously something I caused with Version Conflict Manager (in haste). I'll leave that alone in future unless I have a definite reason to change a file. I was still getting various errors with many applications though. I think someone had removed some applications using the wrong method. I manually went through the registry and removed references to a couple of programs that weren't in the machine, and then ran scanreg /fix...reinstalled the applications that my friend had told me she needed...and have met with success in fixing this machine. Thanks again.

 

[ski]

Glad to hear that you fixed the problem, and thanks for posting back with the solution.