Problem starting up Windows 98

Vinnie · 11-20-2006, 02:03 AM

On my Windows 98(not the computer I'm posting this from) I was doing a disk defragment in Safe Mode and when I started back up in regular mode it said "Comctl32.dll not found" I get the same thing in Safe Mode. In both modes all I get is the wall paper and nothing else.

I tried the method on Microsoft's website with the Startup disk but no progress.

I found the dll on dll-files.com and I am wondering if I could put it on a floppy disc and extract it to the right folder in DOS?

Jlp1928 · 11-20-2006, 07:33 AM

Hi, Yes, you can download it and put it in C:\Windows\system. If you have the Microsoft official Win98 Cd you can use, System Tools, System Information, Tools, System File Checker and extract the missing or corrupted file from the CD.

Good Luck, Jim

Vinnie · 11-20-2006, 01:43 PM

I replaced it and I get the message "Comctl32.dll cannot start" :(

How can I fix this problem? I don't have a Windows 98 CD, but a boot disk.

**OldGrayGary** · 11-21-2006, 02:07 AM

Hi Vinnie

You might want to check that the hard drive itself is OK and isn't failing (so that you don't waste time trying to fix a hardware problem with a software solution). Run a diagnostic, just to see --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

Should the drive pass the diagnostics, and you feel that it's only the one file that's missing/corrupt, perhaps when you replaced it, it could possibly have been either a problematic version, or still in an un-extracted form. In which case, you can try grabbing a known-good version from a reputable site like PC World's --- http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...scription.html

Run some malware scans, too, since infections tend to muck up system files. Since the computer isn't starting up properly, you may need to use another computer to do this (using an external USB 2.0 hard drive enclosure, or "slaving" the drive on an IDE cable).

If you find that you need to replace several system files, you might find that an "over the top" reinstallation of Windows will fix things. Since you have no installation CD, you'd need the .cab files to be stored somewhere on your hard drive (or you'd have to borrow a same-version CD just for the repair). The usual place for the .cab files is C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. To take a look on your drive, you can use a bootable floppy disk or CD to start the computer, and use the"cd" and "dir" commands from the command prompt, like this

cd C:\Windows\Options\Cabs
dir

... if the .cab files are present, you'll see a long list of the Win98 .cab files.

Here's a guide to "over-the-top" reinstalls of Windows 9x --- http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=70846

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[P.S. ... Hmm - while checking the hardware, might as well test the memory too --- http://www.memtest.org ]

11-20-2006, 02:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Vinnie Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 13 OS: XP	Problem starting up Windows 98 On my Windows 98(not the computer I'm posting this from) I was doing a disk defragment in Safe Mode and when I started back up in regular mode it said "Comctl32.dll not found" I get the same thing in Safe Mode. In both modes all I get is the wall paper and nothing else. I tried the method on Microsoft's website with the Startup disk but no progress. I found the dll on dll-files.com and I am wondering if I could put it on a floppy disc and extract it to the right folder in DOS?

11-21-2006, 02:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Hi Vinnie You might want to check that the hard drive itself is OK and isn't failing (so that you don't waste time trying to fix a hardware problem with a software solution). Run a diagnostic, just to see --- http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287 Should the drive pass the diagnostics, and you feel that it's only the one file that's missing/corrupt, perhaps when you replaced it, it could possibly have been either a problematic version, or still in an un-extracted form. In which case, you can try grabbing a known-good version from a reputable site like PC World's --- http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...scription.html Run some malware scans, too, since infections tend to muck up system files. Since the computer isn't starting up properly, you may need to use another computer to do this (using an external USB 2.0 hard drive enclosure, or "slaving" the drive on an IDE cable). If you find that you need to replace several system files, you might find that an "over the top" reinstallation of Windows will fix things. Since you have no installation CD, you'd need the .cab files to be stored somewhere on your hard drive (or you'd have to borrow a same-version CD just for the repair). The usual place for the .cab files is C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. To take a look on your drive, you can use a bootable floppy disk or CD to start the computer, and use the"cd" and "dir" commands from the command prompt, like this cd C:\Windows\Options\Cabs dir ... if the .cab files are present, you'll see a long list of the Win98 .cab files. Here's a guide to "over-the-top" reinstalls of Windows 9x --- http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=70846 Best of luck . . . Gary [P.S. ... Hmm - while checking the hardware, might as well test the memory too --- http://www.memtest.org ] __________________

11-20-2006, 07:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi, Yes, you can download it and put it in C:\Windows\system. If you have the Microsoft official Win98 Cd you can use, System Tools, System Information, Tools, System File Checker and extract the missing or corrupted file from the CD. Good Luck, Jim

11-20-2006, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Vinnie Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 13 OS: XP	I replaced it and I get the message "Comctl32.dll cannot start" :( How can I fix this problem? I don't have a Windows 98 CD, but a boot disk.