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Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/6/2004 2:31:11 PM

Muzrub

Posts: 1780
Joined: 2/23/2001
From: Australia, Queensland, Gold coast
Status: offline

Hi,

I downloaded windows update for 98 on a friends computer.
He tried to install it but it had some problems. Now when windows starts it goes through all the processes but then fails to load the main screen, no start, task bar nothing at all.

The connect to the internet window is the only thing that appears on the screen even when I tried to load it in safe mode.
My friend has many work related items on the computer and really needs it back online.

I hope you guys can help.

This is pretty urgent.

Thanks

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Post #: 1

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/6/2004 3:35:05 PM

Slick91

Posts: 269
Joined: 12/30/2002
From: Charleston, SC USA
Status: offline

Don�t you hate it when you try to help fix a friend's computer and something goes to sh!t?

It sounds like the install/upgrade became corrupt.

Worst cases scenario, you reinstall Windows 98 without formatting the hard drive. At least his work data will still be intact and retrievable, but he�ll have to reinstall all his programs again to get fully functional.

I can�t understand why it won�t boot into Safe Mode. Can you get to the boot menu, F8 I think? In there is an option that does a line by line boot up so you can see what it is loading and what maybe causing the hiccup.

Also, boot to a DOS prompt and check the Autoexec.bat and config.sys files to see what they maybe trying to load.

I almost wonder if it is looking for an internet connection to finish the install routine.

< Message edited by Slick91 -- 5/6/2004 8:30:24 AM >

_____________________________

Slick
-----------------------------
"Life's tough, it's tougher if you're stupid."
-John Wayne

(in reply to Muzrub)

Post #: 2

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/6/2004 4:05:55 PM

Muzrub

Posts: 1780
Joined: 2/23/2001
From: Australia, Queensland, Gold coast
Status: offline

quote:

Don�t you hate it when you try to help fix a friend's computer and something goes to sh!t?

It sounds like the install/upgrade became corrupt.

Worst cases scenario, you reinstall Windows 98 without formatting the hard drive. At least his work data will still be intact and retrievable, but he�ll have to reinstall all his programs again to get fully functional.

I can�t understand why it won�t boot into Safe Mode. Can you get to the boot menu, F8 I think? In there is an option that does a line by line boot up so you can see what it is loading and what maybe causing the hiccup.

Also, boot to a DOS prompt and check the Autoexec.bat and config.sys files to see what they maybe trying to load.

I almost wonder if it is looking for an internet connection to finish the install routine.

Indeed, you try to help and it all goes to hell....

I cant help but think he's blaming me....

Yeah I have used F8 and brought up safe mode- tried that first and then tried to load everything step by step- but the problem is I'm not sure what is causing the problem so I'm not sure what not to load..? I was very suprised that the desktop wouldnt load with safe mode operating. The only thing that comes up is the connection window.

DOS prompt and check the Autoexec.bat and config.sys files

Have got any hints on what I should be looking for here?

If the microsoft update done this is it possible to remove the update, would it be registered in the add/remove programs? (of course this depends on if I can get the desktop back.

Is it possible that it could just be looking for a connection to complete the load up, I never thought of that. If that is the case how would I change that? remove the internet conection from the start up?

Thanks for your help.......
Please dont hesitate to help more

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(in reply to Slick91)

Post #: 3

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/7/2004 2:31:30 AM

Raverdave

Posts: 6520
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Melb. Australia
Status: offline

Dump 98, it was a sh1tty O/S.

< Message edited by Raverdave -- 5/7/2004 9:27:04 AM >

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Post #: 4

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/7/2004 2:43:33 AM

Zakhal

Posts: 2494
Joined: 1/4/2001
From: Jyv�skyl�, Finland
Status: offline

98 a ****ty O/S? Now thats an understatement. It was c r a p t a s t i c. Oh and dont forget the this-doesnt-operate-95.

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(in reply to Raverdave)

Post #: 5

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/7/2004 3:19:41 AM

sprior

Posts: 8596
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Portsmouth, UK
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Muzrub

quote:

Don�t you hate it when you try to help fix a friend's computer and something goes to sh!t?

It sounds like the install/upgrade became corrupt.

Worst cases scenario, you reinstall Windows 98 without formatting the hard drive. At least his work data will still be intact and retrievable, but he�ll have to reinstall all his programs again to get fully functional.

I can�t understand why it won�t boot into Safe Mode. Can you get to the boot menu, F8 I think? In there is an option that does a line by line boot up so you can see what it is loading and what maybe causing the hiccup.

Also, boot to a DOS prompt and check the Autoexec.bat and config.sys files to see what they maybe trying to load.

I almost wonder if it is looking for an internet connection to finish the install routine.

Indeed, you try to help and it all goes to hell....
I cant help but think he's blaming me....

Yeah I have used F8 and brought up safe mode- tried that first and then tried to load everything step by step- but the problem is I'm not sure what is causing the problem so I'm not sure what not to load..? I was very suprised that the desktop wouldnt load with safe mode operating. The only thing that comes up is the connection window.

DOS prompt and check the Autoexec.bat and config.sys files

Have got any hints on what I should be looking for here?

If the microsoft update done this is it possible to remove the update, would it be registered in the add/remove programs? (of course this depends on if I can get the desktop back.

Is it possible that it could just be looking for a connection to complete the load up, I never thought of that. If that is the case how would I change that? remove the internet conection from the start up?

Thanks for your help.......
Please dont hesitate to help more

Once you've booted it into safe made type "msconfig" in the Start|Run box
Select "Selective Startup"
Select the "startup" tab abd uncheck everything - if the PC bbots in Safe Mode then the OS is good - you have a bad driver or program running at start up.

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"History started badly and hav been geting steadily worse."
- Nigel Molesworth.

(in reply to Muzrub)

Post #: 6

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/7/2004 9:38:51 AM

Muzrub

Posts: 1780
Joined: 2/23/2001
From: Australia, Queensland, Gold coast
Status: offline

quote:

Once you've booted it into safe made type "msconfig" in the Start|Run box
Select "Selective Startup"
Select the "startup" tab abd uncheck everything - if the PC bbots in Safe Mode then the OS is good - you have a bad driver or program running at start up.

I cant boot into safe mode.....
Explorer comes up first with an error "performed an illegal operation"

Is there a way to disable explorer from the start up without using start/run runbox etc?

I can bring a menu up using Ctrl which gives me some options at the begining of start up.....The options include safe mode, command prompt etc etc.

I have tried this:

Boot while holding the CTRL key to enter the boot menu.

Select the COMMAND PROMPT ONLY option and press enter.

From the C:\> prompt, type SCANREG /RESTORE and press enter.

When the restore screen appears, select a backup dated before this problem occurred and then restart the system.

Any other options?

thanks guys

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Post #: 7

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/7/2004 4:09:57 PM

Slick91

Posts: 269
Joined: 12/30/2002
From: Charleston, SC USA
Status: offline

I hate to say it, but it sounds like you may have to reinstall Windows 98.

Or, if his hardware is worthy, you could try to put Windows XP on it. Either way, it could be a crap shoot to get it to work. It sounds like the updates royally screwed it up which is a common occurrence with 95/98.

I�ve had a lot of success with hardware issues posting at the SimHq forum www.simhq.com

It is a very active forum with no subscription fees. Sorry I couldn�t be of more help, but I�ve done my fair share of �helping� friends with outdated computers. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, but missed the autograph.

_____________________________

Slick
-----------------------------
"Life's tough, it's tougher if you're stupid."
-John Wayne

(in reply to Muzrub)

Post #: 8

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/8/2004 8:41:15 AM

Muzrub

Posts: 1780
Joined: 2/23/2001
From: Australia, Queensland, Gold coast
Status: offline

Thanks for the help.
We may have to re-install.......I hope not.

I've asked about it on other forums too. I hope to have some luck there.

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Post #: 9

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 5/12/2004 6:01:07 AM

PeckingFury

Posts: 124
Joined: 2/12/2003
Status: offline

I would try and use the 98 cd load off that and do a repair may work. Not very sure but does 98 have a revert to last known good configuration prompt in it? if so I would try that but its been awhile since ive dinked with 98. You can also look at this in a positive way and load XP home or Pro in its place both are better IMHO.

(in reply to Muzrub)

Post #: 10

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 6/9/2004 2:05:14 PM

Boar

Posts: 223
Joined: 1/24/2001
From: Alabama, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Muzrub

Thanks for the help.
We may have to re-install.......I hope not.

I've asked about it on other forums too. I hope to have some luck there.

Hey Muzrub maybe Anzac Tack can help you out on this ;)

Nothing like playing the reload game on computers, eh?

The good thing is WinXP eliminates most of the probs you get with Win98.

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Post #: 11

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 6/15/2004 1:54:33 AM

blam0

Posts: 133
Joined: 3/24/2004
Status: offline

There is a file called boot.log or bootlog.log or something like that. Boot the machine to DOS and see what errors are in there. Also, seeing where this file stops is sometimes (but not always) helpful.

IIRC there are some saved versions of your registry on the machine, and a little utility that will let you swap out the current one for an old one that "works". Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of the tool, but hopefully someone else can help out with that.

Good luck. I have felt your pain.

(in reply to Muzrub)

Post #: 12

RE: Downloaded windows update and now windows wont load - 6/15/2004 1:31:12 PM

Juba

Posts: 654
Joined: 1/9/2001
From: Finland
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Muzrub

Thanks for the help.
We may have to re-install.......I hope not.

I've asked about it on other forums too. I hope to have some luck there.

Check the Microsoft support website and search for this kind of error. It's good, it helped me fix my broken registry that stopped me from starting Windows XP. It got to the loading screen but there it always restarted the whole computer and then continued this loop.

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El�m� on laiffii

(in reply to Muzrub)

Post #: 13