Windows 98 freezing on boot up

[whitty]

im having troubles with my windows freezing up on boot up. it gets past the windows 98 screen and shows my desktop picture but without icons or the taskbar. then it just freezes up. i'd say this happens 40% of the time i start my computer, causing me to have to restart the bad way since my keyboard hasnt loaded.

i've searched google and the MS homepage but couldnt find much.
i've also ran pretty much every norton utilitie like windoctor, system help etc. i've also scandisked and defraged but still get a problem.
anybody have any sugguestions as this is getting worse by the day?

 

[cdogg]

Restart in Safe Mode, go to Start->Run and type msconfig. Hit OK and go to the startup tab. Uncheck unnecessary startup devices (be sure to leave systray, power profile, and your antivirus software). I'd also be weary myself of suspicious looking entries under config.sys and autoexec.bat

The other possibilities could be hardware-related (doubtful but possible). Failing power supplies or overheated CPU's are common.


~cdogg

 

[reghakr]

cdogg has already mentioned the best things to check first.

Also, go to Start>Run, type sysedit, click the win.ini and check for programs loading here:
[windows]
load=
run=

Check the Start>Programs>Startup folder for unneccessary shorcuts (like Office Start)


When you get back up in Windows, right-click on My Computer, choose properties, click the Device Manager tab and make sure there are no red or yellow flags on any of the items. If there are any flags, select them and click the Remove button. Have your driver disk or original CD-ROM ready for the restart.

Now click the Performance tab and make sure you are using 32-bit file system and virtual memory.

reghakr

 

[keypounder]

do not please uncheck your scan reg that might be your life saver.

 

[reghakr]

keypounder,

you're right, I didn't even catch that one!

reghakr

 

[whitty]

alright well i've checked out what you guys have said. i didnt have anything to uncheck from my start up devices because i had already edited them so just the minimum devices started.

in the sysedit i got this
[windows]
load=
run=hpfsched

is that suppose to be blank? i.e run=
thats the only thing i can think of that might be wrong

 

[reghakr]

Yes, it should be blank. You can remove the hpfsched also.

Does Norton run at startup?

reghakr

 

[KeyTech]

When in safe mode, do a search for a file called scam32.exe on your C: drive, if its there, you have the SirCam virus, DOH!!
Although it is easy to get rid of, there is a site with more information on it, and a tool to remove it...

go here for info:

http://vil.nai.com/vil/virusSummary.asp?virus_k=99141

removal tool on same site:

http://download.nai.com/products/media/mcafeeb2b/zip/scrmove2.zip

Jay~

"I have to think of a funny footer to
put in here!!!???"

~KeyTech

 

[whitty]

so im good to remove it then?(the hpfsched) it wont cause a problem? does anybody know what it is and how it got in there?
and yes norton does start on boot up. i'll check for the virus but i doubt i have it. i run norton all the time and i never open any email attatchments from people i dont know.

 

[cdogg]

Removing it will do no "permanent" harm to your system, as you can simply reenter hpfsched back where you removed it.

Do you have anything listed under config.sys or sutoexec.bat?

Also, if safe mode boots fine, then I recommend removing some devices under device manager (scanner, printer, modem, etc...) that aren't required for boot. Most likely it is a device driver that's causing your problem and removing it will help you troubleshoot further.

 

[whitty]

in the config.sys i have this
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE

in the autoexe.bat i just have my speakers listed
SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H7 P330 T6
SET SBPCI=C:\SBPCI

i'll check out the device manager and i'll get rid of that hpfsched

 

[reghakr]

whitty,

You don't need ANY lines in your autoexec.bat or config.sys on a Win98 machine.

These are for running DOS applications. Those setting are enabled automatically. open Explorer to the root of C:
Right-click on autoexec.bat ,choose rename. Name it autoexec.old. Do the same with config.sys. Then delete those files after restarting.


The hpfsched pertains to a Hewleett-Packard printer.

I would prevent Norton (Utilities or SystemWorks) from running at startup. Leave the anti-virus part, but that's it.

reghakr