Windows 98 Problem

[mlmrob]

Hi Guys,
Been having a problem for about a month now after downloading some software.

First thing that happened was I couldn't open any windows on any site. For instance I could get to the site but but any additional windows I clicked on, I was faced with a transparent or white screen where the information should of been written. I reinstalled Outlook Express 5, through going through settings etc and this eradicated the problem but I am unable to send any mail from my email address due to a message informing me that it is not configured correctly. I can however, open windows when oe5 is installed but not when oe6 is.

Secondly, I have been getting a lot of crashes, mainly on Betfair, which is a site I use for internet betting. The site does refresh itself every minute or so but every now and again when I go to move around the site my computer crashes. I can navigate around other sites okay. I emailed Betfair and they sent advice which was basically emptying the temp files etc. Didn't work.

Would I lose any information if I reinstalled Windows 98?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[bf0x]

you always run the risk of loosing data. I have never attempted to re-install an OS of the same year on the same PC, usually its an upgrade in which the OS does not erase the users data but does have the potential of crashing during install and corrupting the data thus loosing all information. Its always wise to backup before performing any major OS change on a system. I would not take the chance with loosing the data in this case and would backup.

 

[wolluf]

mlmrob

You could reinstall 98 'on top' of itself, which usually preserves the current setup, and might sort you out - BUT personally, I'd backup all my personal data, settings etc, wipe the drive and do clean install.

As bf0x says - whatever you do, backup beforehand.

 

[mlmrob]

Thanks guys.

 

[LongTime1701]

I re-install WIN98 SE all the time when I have a problem and you don't have to be paranoid about it. I re-install WIN98 sometimes 2 or 3 times a month. (If I'm having a real bad month, usually I do a re-install about every 3 months. It corrects problems before they get bigger and keeps things running clean.) Re-installing writes over any bad system files but does nothing to the registry. (other than check its integity I think? hmmmmm)

Make sure that you backup your registry to a non Windows folder or better yet to another Disk Drive. Then do a Scandisk to clear any disk errors.

Click on Start, then Run, then enter H:\win98\setup.exe /? then OK. (your WIN98 is on CD right?) This will display your options on what you don't want to run during the re-install. (to save time, or you can run them all if you want to) (The H: is my disk drive substitute your own disk drive letter.)

Personally I use the settings: H:\win98\setup.exe /ie/im/is
/ie = skip StartUp Disk Screen
/im = skip memory check
/is = skip scandisk

This will save you about twenty minutes. All in all it will take you about 40 minutes to re-install. Don't save any old settings or something like that. (it will only use up about 100 mega bytes for nothing)


There is also another method if the above doesn't work! Which it won't, about 8 per cent of the time. And that is to delete WIN98 then Install WIN98 Without Reformatting. But that is a little more complicated than the above or reformating, and you will not lose much data! (maybe about 5 per cent of your data) If you want to know more about this method email me.


I have not reformated my windows disk drive in about 5 years and I have litterly about a hundred and something different programs installed on my system. And my windows runs clean. (Lean and Mean) hehehe.....


ANYONE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

 

[mlmrob]

Re-installed Windows and computer running smoothly. However, I cannot open a window. I can navigate to a site but as soon as I click on a link to open a window all i get is the outline but no writing. Nothing to view at all.
Any ideas?

 

[micker377]

Download and run "IEFix".

 

[mlmrob]

Thanks Micker.
Where would I find this?
Is it on the Microsoft download page?

Regards
Rob

 

[micker377]

No, it's a "third party" program, look for it on Google.

 

[micker377]

Found it:

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFIX.htm

 

[mlmrob]

Thanks for the link, tried that, still no good though.
Can't seem to rid myself of this problem.
Runs smoothly with Internet Explorer 6 except can't open the windows.
So when I get the machine to revert to old settings
Internet Explorer 5 will open windows but machine crashes regularly and can't use email as it says it is incorrectly inconfigured.
Ran Norton and it found a problem with Intercast which it couldn't fix.
Could this have something to do with it?

Thanks for all your help, much appreciated.

 

[torturedmind]

have you checked the pc for malwares? if you still haven't done that, check out faq760-4866 and it will show you detailed step-by-step instructions on how to clean your pc.

hope this helps. peace!

kilroy
philippines

"If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get one million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside."

 

[mlmrob]

Tried all of the above and can't get rid of the problem of it crashing on Betfair. It is the only site it crashes on.
Any ideas?
Thanks for all your input.

 

[papertowel]

try using mozilla firefox browser,if it still crashes on betfair its the site

 

[mlmrob]

Thanks for the Mozilla tip. Works fine all over now.