dll problems (blank desktop)win98

[cooper]

When I load windows all I get is the picture on my desktop.
I can't get into windows through safe mode either.
I've tried to reinstall,but in the last few minutes of install I receive this message: An error occurred loading C:\windows\system\shdocvw.dll The file may not have been installed or it has been corrupted.
With the same text I also see the same message for shdoc401.dll.
I only see these when trying to reinstall,there are no messages upon restart,just a desktop with no icons.
Without being able to get into windows I can't even run my antivirus.
My win 98 install disc is actually stored on my computer under Windows\Win 98\setup, which I can access through dos.How do I fix,delete, or run a
program to do this for me through dos?
Or on the other hand am I looking in the wrong direction?
Of course I'm writing from a dfferent computer on account that mine is currently in limbo.I really don't want to lose the info/personal files I've aquired over the years if there is a possible sollution.
I come to you because I'm beyond my limits of computer knowledge,I eagerly await any of the sagely advice you can offer.

Thankyou in advance,
from a lowly amatuer.

[Snod Blatter]

Well the first thing I would do is download the DLL files (you can easily get them off the web, just plug the name into Google) and then transplant them into the corresponding folder.

If I was any good with DOS I'd tell you what the command is to copy files, but alas I am not...

Ah, Google helps again! (Scroll down a bit, heh..)
http://www.computerhope.com/copyhlp.htm

So you could get them onto a floppy disk and then copy them over to your system folder... I would hope that would work!

[GaryRouth]

Hi Cooper


. . . and welcome to the PC Mechanic forums.

Quick Fix tries:
1) Using a bootdisk for your version of Windows [you can find a suitable bootdisk at http://www.bootdisk.com ], navigate to the C:\Windows\System directory (type cd C:\Windows\System at the command prompt). From the resulting C:\Windows\System> prompt, type:

copy shdocvw.bak shdocvw.dll

Press Return (you should see the "file copied" message), then press Ctrl-Alt-Delete to restart.

Should that not work, also try the same procedure for the shdoc401.dll file.

2)Try reinstalling again, making sure that the Antivirus built into your motherboard's Bios is OFF/Disabled during the reinstall. For more reinstall details, see this guide http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=70846

You'll use the path to your setup files on the hard drive. Make sure you're disconnected from networks, & unplug extraneous peripherals like cameras, scanners, printers, memory card readers, USB pen-drives, etc.

If that doesn't work:
Your system files may well be corrupted by either problematic hardware, or a virus.

To clean the hard drive - you can try slaving it in another computer & scanning it there http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=106182 [-- if you have an external USB housing to host the troubled drive, you can use that method, too]

To test the hard drive - you can download diagnostics that can run from a floppy diskette from the hard drive manufacturer's website.
To test the memory - you can try memtest86 http://www.memtest.org
___________________

If your Windows .cabs on the hard drive are themselves either corrupted or infected, you'll need to borrow a clean Win98se CD to perform your repair. You'll use your original product key.

The files in your error messages are basic system files, used by a great many Windows applications (including IE).

See if any of these get you going again.
. . . Gary

[P.S. ... sorry this reply is so late - I've been away on vacation! . . . ]