Can I install 98SE over an existing 98SE OS, wihout losing the "My Documents" file?

[caesar]

Hello,
At start-up I get this "c:\windows\sp.dll" error which I can get past. But my I.E. browser never connects to the internet.
All other functions & software appears to run fast and fine.
Checked all setting with my DSL carriers tech support.
I can ping my own I.P. address, is there something wrong with my browser?
Can I just lay a new version of 98SE over the existing 98SE without reformatting and losing all data?

Help...
Thanks!

[HAL9000]

Yes.. boot from your Windows CD and run SETUP /P F Make sure to have the spaces as listed.

I would be checking for virii and spyware first though.

[EzyStvy]

When in doubt, BACKUP/make copies of important data.

I would exhaust all other options before re-installing the OS.

[glc]

You have a simple case of spyware. Download winsockxpfix on another machine (http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html) - it will fit on a floppy to transfer it - and run it, this should restore your Internet connectivity. Then you can go online and do virus and spyware scans to clean it all up.

No need to reinstall Windows.

[caesar]

That's weird, when I surf the web I have a Linksys firewall/router & a new subscription to Norton security/anti-virus.
What good is this firewall?
I haven't downloaded any files other than updates.

At what point do I type "setup /p f" ?
Won't the auto install feature keep me from typing anything in?

Looks like with this problem, I can't send my saved data to my other home network tower...

Thanks!

[GaryRouth]

If it's mainly the error message and internet connectivity you wish to repair, try the utility glc linked you to in his reply first, then visit http://housecall.trendmicro.com and run an online scan.

Then if you still want to redo the system files, you can try Hal's command syntax for the setup file verification - when you boot from the CD, you'd choose "start computer with cd-rom support" & you'll end up at a command prompt. You'd type the command in there.

If you accidentally start the full setup, oh well - it shouldn't hurt, as long as you remember to install to C:\Windows [and NOT the C:\Windows.000 that Setup will suggest].

I think you'll be OK without reinstalling, once you get things cleaned up.
. . . Gary

(p.s. ...if you do reinstall, make sure to visit Windows Update immediately, to reinstall any Security Patches that need it [older file versions might get copied during a reinstall] . . . )

[glc]

sp.dll is spyware, associated with Huntbar I believe. Housecall won't find it - you need a spyware scanner.

[GaryRouth]

. . . Yep, I should have included links to some scanners: AdAware [ http://www.lavasoft.de ] and SpyBot Search & Destroy [http://www.safer-networking.org ] get recommended a lot.

[caesar]

Thank you...
I'll try the spyware stuff first.

[tacoeater]

glc
that does sound like the winsock fix solution would work.
i have another version which is winsockfix.
when i did a search for it i got the xpfix link.
will the winsockfxp fix also work with 9x platforms?
it's info page on the download link says it is for xp.

OK i just read another link cannot surf where you confirm
that it works with 98. thanks, that is good to know.
i use that utility almost daily in the shop and had been using one for the 9x machines and another for XP. Great that all I need is one in the little black bag of tricks!

[glc]

It's the exact same utility - just renamed to winsockfix to avoid confusion - people think winsockxpfix only works with XP.

[caesar]

Hello,
Winsockfxp didn't fix the problem. still the same "sp.dll" error
So I reloaded 98SE over my existing 98SE, reinstalled my 2004 norton(IE6 is on the disc) just in case. I didn't lose any files that I can see.
and still can't browse the web.
I've been using "NERO ULTRA 6" retail version, not OEM.
I tried to format a cd-rw (to back up files) but it locks up during formatting process.
I can't e-mail anything either...

I might be able to add a second hard drive for storage, then send my files to the other storage drive. Then reformat the entire main C: drive
any suggestions?

No disk/surface errors indicated when scanned

[glc]

Winsockxpfix will NOT fix the "sp.dll" error - I suggested it to try to get your connectivity back so you could get the spyware cleaners you need.

[GaryRouth]

. . . in case you haven't been able to run the spyware scanners [AdAware or SpyBot] yet, you can download them to another computer, burn them to a CD, and install them in your computer that's having trouble.

You can also download the latest virus definitions to a floppy on another machine, then boot with your Norton disk and use the latest definitions from the floppy to scan the computer.

And - I suppose it couldn't hurt to try the winsock utility again, since you've done a reinstall in the meantime. Let us know if that doesn't help restore your Internet connection after trying it again. (& we'll see what to try next. . . )
. . . Gary

. . . P.S. --- once you have a good Internet connection, remember to visit Windows Update right away for any Security patches.