Can't log into windows 98

[cshajkur]

Recently, when I try to logged on Windows will boot up for a second, then turn black then display scrolling colors in a vertical pattern on top of a black back round. Since I am unable to log on I can replace the video drivers which may be corrupt or need updating.

In effect I am locked out of Windows and unable to reached the desktop screen. Does anyone know how I can get into the Windows to correct this problem. Under different circumstances I would have reformatted the hard disk. I have a treasure trove of valuable programs that cannot be replaced. I need to salvage the information. I know, I should have backed up my hard drive.

I have another hard drive with similar programs. Can I transfer the registry data from one to the other. If so, how? Is there a better way to resolved this issue and salvage the data?

 

[carrr]

Does it behave this way when you go into Safe Mode?

 

[cshajkur]

It fails just after the Windows log on screen appears. I can't get into the safe mode.

 

[MOmelanuk]

I don't have any advice in regards to the registry or fixing the Windows problem, but if you have a "good" drive, you could install it as your master and the other as a "slave". You can then transfer any data from the slave to the master. I copy the whole drive into a backup folder. Then you can reinstall windows on the faulty drive. This might not work if you do not have the "install" for the programs you are afraid of losing.

I am an amature and any advice should be followed at your own risk.

Mike

 

[TekTippy4U]

Even though I am much more sure of this, from running them on my own pc.....
PLEASE consider my posts carefully.......as I'm trying my best to be as close
to 99.9% positve as possible......

I am hurriedly going to and searching through any and all references I made concerning below commands in other posts....to hopefully help correct my mistakes by reposting this "Updated Version" below and salvage what's left of my integrity.......
--------------------------------------------------
Run Scandisk in safe mode from the command line...
CTRL+ALT+DEL...to restart
Press and hold down the left CTRL key when the BIOS POST is almost done...right before Starting Windows 98 message appears, and then select
Command Prompt Only option.
Type: win /d:m at the command prompt.......
The box should start in safe mode.....
If it worked....you're now in windows Safe-Mode
go to start>run>type SCANDSKW........Enter
this will check your FAT32 (if you have one)
Once in windows safe-mode you can do much more troubleshooting through System Configuration Utility.

If it "doesn't" boot;
CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart....
Press and hold down the left CTRL key like above....
then select
Safe Mode Command Prompt Only
Type;CD C:\Windows\Command hit Enter
Type in Scandisk C: hit Enter to inspect the C:\ drive.
This will only scan and repair FAT16......

ScanDisk detects lost allocation units and prompts you to recover them as files.
The files will have a .chk extension

CTRL+ALT+DEL to reboot........
Press and hold down the left CTRL key during startup, like above....to access the startup menu...and
then try and repeat the "first" step....as listed above from "command prompt only"
If you're successful
Hopefully your in Windows Safe-Mode now......
Once in windows safe-mode you can do much more troubleshooting through System Configuration Utility.

If you never get to Windows there are other command line switches that can be used from the command line, that accomplish the same actions as the advanced area of Sys Config Utility............

Note; Selecting Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the startup menu will "not" load the extended memory driver Himem.sys.
Only FAT16 drives will be checked......
The MS-DOS version of ScanDisk requires Himem.sys be loaded to check FAT32 drives........

AGAIN MY APOLOGIES for my mistakes........
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, ALL

TT4U

 

[vop]

I had a similar recent problem. It turned out that my video card had been overheating (and was continuing to overheat)and was no longer functioning properly. A new video card was all that was needed to correct my problem. You might need to try another video card as the potential source to your problem.

Although I was able to usually get into safe mode, it still continued to be iffy in normal mode at times. Sometimes it booted and sometimes it reverted to 16 color mode and would not allow me back to hicolor. It then got to the point where I was getting a black screen and a consistent hang on the flashing cursor. I had previously used canned air to blow out accumulated dust on the video fan which corrected the problem for several months.

I recently determined that my video card seemed to be getting excessively hot to the touch (always gound yourself first) and needed to be replaced.

 

[tviman]

I'm siding with VOP, sounds like the video card is toast. Upgrading the drivers will more than likely not solve any of your problems. Replace the video card with a new one and you should be back in business.

There's always a better way. The fun is trying to find it!

 

[TekTippy4U]

Very well may be video card and just even adapter problem...
(the adapter driver problem is probably only more likely if you....and/or some software changed it around(fiddled/overwrote) it recently.....
Though it's nice to have a starting point for troubleshooting either now or sometime in the future...
If you want to try.....
after going into safe mode(if you get there)....go here
Check this box/switch in
Microsoft System Configuration Utility>Advanced options:
-VGA 640 x 480 x 16
Forces the display to use the industry-standard VGA mode. If the machine is not booting, and this setting allows the machine to boot successfully, then this could indicate a video-related problem


TT4U

 

[TekTippy4U]

Obviously....after doing above said procedure(my post)...try to rstart in Normal mode(leaving that box checked) to see if the video is the problem....

TT4U

 

[cshajkur]

Ok, Sorry I took so long. I have been working on this problem. I have incorporated many of the changes that you have suggested and After reading your responses. I was able to find and install a case fan. Afterwords I noticed a substantial change for the better.

I have also had some problems with getting my hard drive to defrag in the normal mode. An article I read mentioned that running defrag in the safe mode would corrupt the video drivers. With heat and defrag problems running concurrently that may explain the reasons for some of the issues.

I have found some nice cooling fans which some of you may be interested in using for this purpose. Found at this link:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=560738

The price is right for this item.

Thank you all for the excellent help with this issue. I have learned and give it Two thumbs up!

 

[TekTippy4U]

Can you post the link to the article that talks about Safe mode scandisk corrupting video drivers please.....???
I'd really like to follow up on it and perhaps learn some more about this issue.....
TIA

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[cshajkur]

This is one of the articles pertaining to using scandisk in the safe mode but there are more. Give me a chance to locate them and I will post them. Here is one article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;105061

and

http://support.microsoft.com/search...dType=ANY&maxResults=25&Titles=false&numDays=

I will post more ingo as I find them. Thanks

 

[TekTippy4U]

Yes..I see....as these issues are somewhat of anomalies(rare)....they're still possible under certain circumstances....
And concerning your first post...I was under the assumption you were doing a cold boot..and therefore didn't consider heating too much of an issue...
also, I guess you're dealing with an older model.....
The more current pc's(since the PII atleast, have case fans as well as the PSU fan)....
Corrupted Display drivers?....maybe
Corrupted Adapter??...yes...maybe..
but if it is a heating/defrag, issue i'm happy you were able to resolve it......and i'll tuck it in my cap...

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[cshajkur]

Thank you. The instructions provided, and the links that have acquired from answers to my questions and others, are an invaluable resource for me. In most situations, I have been able to resolve both present and future issues. In time I hope to be able to do the same.