Reloading Win 98 1

[TheFanatic]

I have a laptop that gets an Explorer error immediately after Windows loads.


Explorer
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
If this problem persists, contact the program vendor.


My only option are to close and to hit details. The details have this as a first line:

EXPLORER caused an invalid page fault in module at 0000:00437e0a.

Then there's a bunch of crap after that.

The exact same problem occurs in safe mode as well. The error goes away after I hit "close" but immediately pops back up again. I can't open anything or move any data without it locking up.

I restored every single registry I could and the problem persisted. I also copied Explorer.exe from another Win98 machine into the Windows folder to no avail.

There is some vital data I need from this system. If I reload the OS, will it wipe the HD or will it just overwrite the c:\windows folder? Basically, can I reload the OS and still retrieve the data on the system. I am not planning on using the restore disk, because I know that will wipe the HD, just reloading the OS.

Thanks....

 

[edfair]

Depends on the OS. 98SE is probably the best at allowing an over the top reload.
Other 9x may require you to rename win.com, some require registry gone, some require desktop gone.
I've been successful several times at eliminating problems this way.

Ed Fair
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[PeterGriff]

You may want to check for viruses before going any further.

To reinstall my preferred method is to copy the files to the hard drive (say C:\win98cd) (N.B. sometimes these are already on the hard drive in C:\windows\cabs and you can use these instead), exit to DOS and run the setup program
(cd\ then cd C:\win98cd then setup.exe).

It will not affect any data files (apart from those stored within Windows such as Outlook Express e-mails and address books) but will instead "refresh" your existing installation. In some instances it will want to discard your existing installation and clean install but it will tell you this, and it will still not touch your data files, but you will have to reinstall all your drivers and software again.

If your hard drive is a mess then a clean install might be the best otion - to force this see below:
Copy the files to the hard drive as before (C:\win98cd)
Exit to DOS.
cdren C:\windows winold
ren C:\progra~1 progold
cd win98cd
setup

When asked what directory to install Windows into, specify C:\windows (it will default to the winold path)

(your original windows folder will still be present as winold, and your program files folder will still be there as progold)

First reinstall m/board drivers, restart, then video, restart, then the other drivers, then your software (restating between each).

Peter G

 

[TheFanatic]

I just need to get the data off the system. Once that happens, I will wipe the HD and then reinstall the OS. In the mean time, I just need to get the data.

I am going to rename the Windows Folder and reload 98. I'll let you know how things turn out...

 

[Desktoptech00]

TheFanatic, don't know if this will help, but I had a similar problem with a Win98 SE PC. I found a tech tip that told me to look for EXPLORER.EXE, in the "root" of C:>Drive. I found it there, deleted it, and No more problems. Look for EXPOLRER.EXE, in the Root.
NOTE: make sure you have a EXPLORER.EXE in C:\Windows, before you delete the one from the Root.

 

[TheFanatic]

I just checked, there is no explorer.exe in the root, just in the Windows folder....Thanks for passing that along though. I wish it had worked. I;m still leery about reloading the OS...

 

[carrr]

What make is the laptop, please?

 

[TheFanatic]

Compaq EVO n160

 

[carrr]

Okey dokey...check this out:

CAUSE
This issue can occur if the [Boot] section of the System.ini file contains the following line:
Shell=c:\compaq\cpqshell.exe

NOTE: The Cpqshell.exe file is incompatible with the Shell32.dll file that is included in Internet Explorer.
RESOLUTION
To resolve the issue, change the Shell= line in the System.ini file to Shell=explorer.exe. To do this, use the following steps:
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Notepad.
On the File menu, click Open.
In the File name box, type c:\windows\system.ini, and then click Open.
Click Search, and then click Find.
In the Find what box, type shell=, and then click Find Next.
Type a semi-colon ( at the beginning of the Shell= line, and then create a new line.
On the new line, type shell=explorer.exe, click Save on the File menu.
Restart your computer. Click No if you receive the following prompt:
Your system shell has changed. The Compaq software will work with your new shell, but the new shell will not work with your Compaq software. Do you want to keep your Compaq software working?


(From KB Q#237888)

 

[TheFanatic]

Too late on that last option. I already reloaded the OS after changing the Windows folder to winold. The user had everything she needed stored on the desktop.

It worked beautifully. I found the files I need and after I download the NIC drivers I need I will pull the data off and back it up....

 

[Desktoptech00]

Great answer CARRR!