HELP! Win98 won't open!

[WJWheels]

Win98 will only open in safe mode. If I try a normal boot, it stops at the opening screen "Windows 98" and the blue floating line on the bottom goes on forever.

I've tried shutting down all startup items using msconfig; Bypassing autoexec.com & config.sys using msconfig; tried Fdisk /mbr in dos; I've even completely re-installed Win98 using the cab files.

SUGGESTIONS PLEASE???

[WJWheels]

UPDATE: If I start from the diagnostic menu and use "Step by Step startup", it hangs after loading "MRTRATE.VXD" which is in the "Load all Windows Drivers" category. The next item, "Ndiswan.vxd" will not load whether you answer yes or no.

Any help?

[fudtone]

The sites I found are indicating a network device driver. Reboot in safe and un-install your NIC. Then try and restart normally.

[WJWheels]

I did that... all it accomplished is now I still only get to the "Windows 98" splash screen, but the moving blue line at the bottom is now NOT moving.

[GaryRouth]

The "MrtRate.vxd" is possibly linked to an incomplete Quicken uninstall -- http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;en-us;305649

If cleaning up (for example with RegClean) or reinstalling/uninstalling Quicken doesn't help, try entering Safe Mode again, and then go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Information --> then in the left-hand window, look at the Software Environment/Startup items. It should list everything you see in msconfig, with the extra advantage of telling you where them items start from.

If you use the resources from the sysopt.com and answersthatwork.com startup and background processes lists to see what is necessary and what is not, start weeding out the unneccessary (and possibly harmful). You may see a trojan in there causing some of your havoc [especially if you see msblaster.exe in your startup list!].

You can also slave the hard drive in another PC (one well-protected by up-to-date antivirus/antispyware) and scan it there for pests.

Then try a normal boot. I recommend removing the unnecessary entries from their origins rather than using msconfig to handle this. Msconfig was really designed as a temporary troubleshooting tool, rather than a permanent fix.

If the normal boot still doesn't work, try the step-by-step again & see where it stops.

(...and, when you reinstalled, did you change the default folder from Windows.000 to Windows ...?)

. . . Gary

[WJWheels]

Yes, I did change the windows folder to plain "Windows". Also I did another install, this time copying the win98 file from a good Windows Second Edition full install disk. No better results.

I've also now ran Trend-Micro's Sysclean in safe mode. It did find and clean/delete a few trojan infected files. No improvement though in booting normally.

I'm about ready to save files & docs on another pc and reformat.

[GaryRouth]

The save-then-reformat sounds best. You get a lot more peace of mind, and you know how long things will take. [Rather than having to worry about whether or not another pest-damaged file will be found wanting months later]

Too bad we don't have an "UnDo" button to give us back our TroubleShooting time!
. . . Gary