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Computer Freezing Entering Windows

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Skl

IS-IT--Management
Aug 30, 2000
26
US
My computer is freezing upon entering Windows (98). (The screen is scrambled, unable to read anything) I can get into it in safe mode but not sure where to go from there. I did do a scan disk to no avail. I was going to reload but I guess the CD drive does not show in the safe mode. Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
It sounds like all you may need to do is reinstall the driver for your video card.

 
Try this. It usually works but no guarantees though. Use Safe Mode to reinstall the driver. Once Windows starts in SafeMode do this, Start>Settings>CP>System>DeviceManager. Click on the + next to Display Adapter. You'll now see the name of your video card appear underneath. WRITE DOWN THE NAME. Now right click on the video card and select Remove. Restart Windows, Start>Shutdown>Restart and see if it boots into Normal mode ok. It should reinstall the video card and drivers on restart. See if all is well then. If not you may need to download and install an updated driver from your video card makers website.
 
What kind of system are you running. Sometimes certain chipsets require updates in order for the video card to function correctly (along with other main components).

I had this problem on my Asus A7V-mobo with the Via KT133 chipset. Installing the latest Via "4-in-1 drivers" fixed my problem.
 
One of the best things about 98, is that it keeps a backup of the registry for the past 5 days, or more with ini file editting. Re-loading the system will not fix registry errors.

Try hitting F8 on startup, choose command prompt only. At the c: prompt, type:
cd\windows\command
then type:
scanreg /restore
and choose a date prior to the problem.


reghakr
 
I think it's worth going with rehakr's suggestion, just a small point, I think the right syntax is
cd windows\command
 
I have tried to reload video card and system restore to no avail. But thanks for the advice. The computer was working fine, I was having problems installing modem, took the card out and put it back in. When restarting windows I inadvertantly shut off the computer. Have had this problem since. Does this help. I have a 98 upgrade disk only. The kicker is the computer (233) was given to me for "free" for my son - so far I have $80+ in it.
 
Since you are able to get into safe mode, the problem must lie on a device driver of some sort. You will need to browse device manager (Right-Click My Computer, select properties, and click Device Manager) for incorrect display adapters, multiple monitors, etc...

If you have more than one kind of display installed, try removing all of them and restart.

Also check msconfig (Start->Run->Type "msconfig" and hit OK)
Go to the config.sys, autoexec.bat, and strtup tabs and look for unnecessary entries.

Still having trouble?
- hit F8 during bootup to get the Windows bootup menu. Choose Step-by-step confirmation to see if anything fails before Windows loads it's device drivers (dll's)

Post back if the above doesn't help
 
Had the modem finished installing and was then rebooting? If the above doesn't help, there could be a hardware problem, it may well be worth taking the modem out, and seeing what happens. Also check nothing has got loose when taking stuff in and out, that is cards, leads and anything else you can think of.
 
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