Windows startup problems.

[jswick]

When I try to start up Windows98 I receive the following errors, Error starting program a required .dll file SHLWAPI.DLL was not found. Error loading Explorer.exe you must reinstall windows. If I try to reinstall Windows once it has completed registry checker tells me that it has found an error in the registry and I will have to restart my computer when the computer restarts I get the same error message!

[GaryRouth]

Hi jswick

See if reinstalling using the procedures described in this thread helps:
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=70846


There are other ways to try for a repair, such as extracting a copy of that file from your Windows 98 CD, but I find the full over-the-top to work more consistently, and when it goes smoothly, it takes a little over 30 minutes. You don't have to reinstall your programs afterward, and your data isn't lost. Do pay attention to the preparations, such as Disabling the Bios AntiVirus, and disconnect from networks, and disconnect cameras, scanners, memory card readers, printers, etc. . . . re-enable the AntiVirus when done, and visit Windows Update for any Security Patches that will need re-installing.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[GaryRouth]

Hi again -

Noticed a little note down in the Tips & Tricks forum - did you run into trouble with the reinstall? -- Were you able to find a suitable repair?

Just curious
. . . Gary

[jswick]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth Hi again - Noticed a little note down in the Tips & Tricks forum - did you run into trouble with the reinstall? -- Were you able to find a suitable repair? Just curious . . . Gary

Not yet but hopfully soon!!!

[GaryRouth]

Hope it works out OK soon.

If you aren't having any luck after a while, though, and you get something we could look at, or have some extra details that might help: feel free to ask away. Sometimes it's a tiny unsuspecting little detail (like the differences in installation disks, hardware model differences, obscure Bios settings - you never know! ) . . .
. . . Gary

[jswick]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth Hope it works out OK soon. If you aren't having any luck after a while, though, and you get something we could look at, or have some extra details that might help: feel free to ask away. Sometimes it's a tiny unsuspecting little detail (like the differences in installation disks, hardware model differences, obscure Bios settings - you never know! ) . . . . . . Gary

At the time I was having problems with my monitor so when I booted up my
computer the monitor just sat on stand by so I had to illegally shut down my
computer. When I replaced my monitor thats when I got all the other problems.
I have 256Mb Memory and an Athlon 800Mhz computer I tried reseating the
memory but that did not work either. I ran the Linux knoppix Live cd version
3.7 and it worked fine and it told me I had 251Mb of ram on my computer then
I tried reinstalling windows but this time I changed the directory to
Windows.0000 and I got Windows reinstalled but even though I could see the
programs on my hard drive I could not access them. I then reinstalled Windows
without the .0000 extension and ended back up with the original error.

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Try putting your Win98 CD in your optical drive, and cancel any resulting screens. Then in the Start/Run box, type "sfc" without the quotes. This will start the System File Checker. On the main screen for the System File Checker, place a checkmark in the box "extract one file from installation disk", and in the box to select which file, type SHLWAPI.DLL, and when asked for the source to extract from, point to your Win98 folder on your installation CD (if your optical drive is D, then point to D:\Win98), and for the destination to extract to, type C:\Windows\System\

See if that sets things right.
. . . Gary

[commach]

Originally Posted by jswick I tried reinstalling windows but this time I changed the directory to Windows.0000 and I got Windows reinstalled but even though I could see the programs on my hard drive I could not access them. I then reinstalled Windows without the .0000 extension and ended back up with the original error.

I don't know whether this method which I use very often to fix Win98 booting up problem still work after you reinstall Win98 or not, try booting up to the command prompt only and type this from c:\>scanreg/restore then select a date prior to problem arise.

[glc]

Reinstalls clear the registry backups. Scanreg/restore will not be available.

[jswick]

Originally Posted by GaryRouth Hi again Try putting your Win98 CD in your optical drive, and cancel any resulting screens. Then in the Start/Run box, type "sfc" without the quotes. This will start the System File Checker. On the main screen for the System File Checker, place a checkmark in the box "extract one file from installation disk", and in the box to select which file, type SHLWAPI.DLL, and when asked for the source to extract from, point to your Win98 folder on your installation CD (if your optical drive is D, then point to D:\Win98), and for the destination to extract to, type C:\Windows\System\ See if that sets things right. . . . Gary

Hi, I got so cheesed off with things I ended up reinstalling Windows using my reload CD. I may have lost some files but what the hell you live and learn!
Cheers for now!