problem with dell desktop running 98

camsta · 01-14-2009, 09:12 AM

Hello all, I have a problem with my dell xps t500 but I wasnt sure where to put this post so please don't tell me off :-)
I have the above named computer running win98 (I have another problem with it but that can wait!)
Recently, I tried to turn on my computer and it started the booting process then went to a black screen which tells me that some file is missing and to press any key to continue. That goes on for ages listing hundreds of files that are missing and finally makes me reboot.
Please help me!
Camsta

lando5 · 01-14-2009, 07:05 PM

Sounds like a corrupted directory issue to me. Can you boot in safe mode? I don't want to scare you, but you may want to back up some important data just in case.

Geekgirl · 01-15-2009, 07:12 AM

Long shot but try this

Boot to a 98 boot disk, at the command prompt type in scanreg /restore
You'll be given a choice of dates. Select one and click Restore.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221512

camsta · 01-15-2009, 11:28 AM

@lando5 it doesn't really matter that much because it's an old computer and nothing impotant on it. The only thing is that I have misplaced my win98 cd and I have no other os disk and obviosly I dnt want to spend money on a crappy old computer! So I'd just like to get win98 back.
@geekgirl I don't have a win98 disk but I can boot up and select command prompt but then scanreg/restore doesn't work! (says: failed to restore)
Thanks everyone for the replies
Camsta

Geekgirl · 01-15-2009, 12:46 PM

Well without the media you cannot do much at all

camsta · 01-16-2009, 11:40 AM

really? Nuts that's annoying.

**OldGrayGary** · 01-16-2009, 12:53 PM

Hi camsta

There's a slight possibility that your system might have the necessary files on a "restore partition", since it is a Dell. You can try going to dell.com, then select 'support' and then try typing in your "service tag" number, which should be on a sticker on the case.

The restore procedure varies by model. Your system might or might not have the restore partition (it may have relied on a 'Restore CD').

Should you not have a restore partition, you might look to see if an undamaged set of system files are still saved in a folder on the hard drive -- a common location was C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. You'll need a bootable CD or a bootable floppy to be able to start the PC to look for the files. Or you could remove the hard drive & connect it to a working PC (a tech-minded friend might be able to help you with that, there are a fair amount of details to that procedure).

It's entirely likely that hardware failure underlies your current software symptoms. An easy way to test is to use bootable CDs, such as the Linux based "Ultimate Boot CD" (good for memory & hard drive diagnostics --- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com ---), and the "Ultimate Boot CD for Windows" (good for checking to see what files are on the hard drive, if it is in good enough condition to be read --- http://www.ubcd4win.com). If you have a friend who already has a UBCD & UBCD4Win, that would save a lot of time.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[quick-fix try --- if the system still displays a banner message that mentions special function keys at startup, see if F10 is mentioned for a setup or restore choices ... some Dells can access the restore partition procedure by pressing a particular function key during power on]

p.s. .... a 'light' version of Linux might be a good choice for the system, if its hardware is still good (or fixable for next to nothing) - since Linux is free.

lando5 · 01-16-2009, 07:08 PM

I agree with OldGrayGary. A computer I had running Win98 that stopped working one day, so I installed Linux. I would recommend the OpenSUSE distro if you have an older computer. It's pretty user friendly. Installation is straightforward and well documented on the OpenSUSE site.

Of course, many people go with Ubuntu. *lando5 unintentionally starts distro flame war*

01-14-2009, 09:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
camsta Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 15 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	problem with dell desktop running 98 Hello all, I have a problem with my dell xps t500 but I wasnt sure where to put this post so please don't tell me off :-) I have the above named computer running win98 (I have another problem with it but that can wait!) Recently, I tried to turn on my computer and it started the booting process then went to a black screen which tells me that some file is missing and to press any key to continue. That goes on for ages listing hundreds of files that are missing and finally makes me reboot. Please help me! Camsta

01-14-2009, 07:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
lando5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 35 OS: XP sp2, win98, linux	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 Sounds like a corrupted directory issue to me. Can you boot in safe mode? I don't want to scare you, but you may want to back up some important data just in case.

01-15-2009, 07:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,190 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 Long shot but try this Boot to a 98 boot disk, at the command prompt type in scanreg /restore You'll be given a choice of dates. Select one and click Restore. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221512 __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

01-15-2009, 11:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
camsta Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 15 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 @lando5 it doesn't really matter that much because it's an old computer and nothing impotant on it. The only thing is that I have misplaced my win98 cd and I have no other os disk and obviosly I dnt want to spend money on a crappy old computer! So I'd just like to get win98 back. @geekgirl I don't have a win98 disk but I can boot up and select command prompt but then scanreg/restore doesn't work! (says: failed to restore) Thanks everyone for the replies Camsta

01-15-2009, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,190 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 Well without the media you cannot do much at all __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

01-16-2009, 11:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
camsta Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 15 OS: Windows Vista Home Basic	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 really? Nuts that's annoying.

01-16-2009, 12:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 Hi camsta There's a slight possibility that your system might have the necessary files on a "restore partition", since it is a Dell. You can try going to dell.com, then select 'support' and then try typing in your "service tag" number, which should be on a sticker on the case. The restore procedure varies by model. Your system might or might not have the restore partition (it may have relied on a 'Restore CD'). Should you not have a restore partition, you might look to see if an undamaged set of system files are still saved in a folder on the hard drive -- a common location was C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. You'll need a bootable CD or a bootable floppy to be able to start the PC to look for the files. Or you could remove the hard drive & connect it to a working PC (a tech-minded friend might be able to help you with that, there are a fair amount of details to that procedure). It's entirely likely that hardware failure underlies your current software symptoms. An easy way to test is to use bootable CDs, such as the Linux based "Ultimate Boot CD" (good for memory & hard drive diagnostics --- http://www.ultimatebootcd.com ---), and the "Ultimate Boot CD for Windows" (good for checking to see what files are on the hard drive, if it is in good enough condition to be read --- http://www.ubcd4win.com). If you have a friend who already has a UBCD & UBCD4Win, that would save a lot of time. Best of luck . . . Gary [quick-fix try --- if the system still displays a banner message that mentions special function keys at startup, see if F10 is mentioned for a setup or restore choices ... some Dells can access the restore partition procedure by pressing a particular function key during power on] p.s. .... a 'light' version of Linux might be a good choice for the system, if its hardware is still good (or fixable for next to nothing) - since Linux is free. __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary; 01-16-2009 at 12:57 PM.

01-16-2009, 07:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
lando5 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 35 OS: XP sp2, win98, linux	Re: problem with dell desktop running 98 I agree with OldGrayGary. A computer I had running Win98 that stopped working one day, so I installed Linux. I would recommend the OpenSUSE distro if you have an older computer. It's pretty user friendly. Installation is straightforward and well documented on the OpenSUSE site. Of course, many people go with Ubuntu. lando5 unintentionally starts distro flame war