Stuck on Windows Startup Screen (Registry/Configuration error)

lherring81 · 09-25-2009, 01:14 PM

I have a computer with windows 98 (se i think). When the pc boots it goes through the initial startup and windows 98 splash screen. Next, it stops at the windows startup screen with the normal mode, safe mode, etc options.

This is what the pc displays:

Warning: windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose, Command prompt only, and run SCANREG

The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\CDROM\CDROMDRV.SYS
There is an error in your CONFIG.SYS file on line 3

The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS

The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\DBLBUFF.SYS

The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\IFSHCP.SYS

The following file is missing or corrupted: WIN.COM

The following file is missing or corrupted: COMMAND.COM
Type the name of the command interpreter (e.g., C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)

C>

The opc will not boot in normal mode, safe mode or run SCANREG. Whatever you type in the C> nothing appears to be found. What can be done?

**TheOutcaste** · 09-26-2009, 01:38 PM

Sounds like time to re-install Win98.
Does DIR even work? With command.com missing, it may not.
What do you see if you type Dir at the C:> Prompt? Dir /AH?
You should see at least these:

Code:

DIR:
AUTOEXEC BAT
COMMAND  COM
CONFIG   SYS
CDROM         <DIR>
PROGRA~1      <DIR>
WINDOWS       <DIR>

DIR /AH:
IO       SYS
MSDOS    SYS
SYSTEM   1ST

Do you even have a Windows or CDROM directory?

If DIR doesn't work, you need to boot with the Win98 startup floppy, then you can see what is on the drive and run scandisk to check for disk errors. If you don't have a startup floppy, one can be downloaded from www.bootdisk.com. Choose the Win98 OEM disk, or Win98SE OEM disk if you have Second Edition.

lherring81 · 10-21-2009, 01:21 PM

i get nothing with dir

will windows boot from a cd b/c i do not know a a drive on a working pc

**TheOutcaste** · 10-21-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lherring81

i get nothing with dir

No error, no volume label, serial number, File not found message? It just immediately returns to the C:\> prompt?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lherring81

will windows boot from a cd b/c i do not know a a drive on a working pc

I'm not quite sure what you mean. Are you saying you don't have a working floppy drive?. OR don't have another PC with a working floppy drive to make a boot floppy with?

Some Win98 CDs are bootable. All you can do is put it in and try. You may have to enter the BIOS/Setup and change the boot order so the CD is first. The key to press is usually listed when the PC starts, DEL or F2 are common.

IF the CD is bootable, you'll first get a menu to choose to boot from the hard drive or CD. Choose CD
Then you'll have a choice to start Setup, or start the PC with or without CD-ROM support. Choose Start with CD-ROM support, unless you just want to re-install. That would probably be easiest unless you have data you need to recover.

If you don't choose to run Setup, it should leave you at an A:\> prompt. Type Dir C:\Windows\Command and see what you get. If Scandisk.exe is there, you can run it to check the hard drive. ScanReg should also be there.

Type the following to add that folder to the path, it will make it easier to type commands:
set path=%path%;C:\Windows\Command.

Give it a try and see how far you can get.

09-25-2009, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
lherring81 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9 OS: Vista	Stuck on Windows Startup Screen (Registry/Configuration error) I have a computer with windows 98 (se i think). When the pc boots it goes through the initial startup and windows 98 splash screen. Next, it stops at the windows startup screen with the normal mode, safe mode, etc options. This is what the pc displays: Warning: windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose, Command prompt only, and run SCANREG The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\CDROM\CDROMDRV.SYS There is an error in your CONFIG.SYS file on line 3 The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\DBLBUFF.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\IFSHCP.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: WIN.COM The following file is missing or corrupted: COMMAND.COM Type the name of the command interpreter (e.g., C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM) C> The opc will not boot in normal mode, safe mode or run SCANREG. Whatever you type in the C> nothing appears to be found. What can be done?

09-26-2009, 01:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheOutcaste TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 821 OS: MS-Dos 6.22 - Win7	Re: Stuck on Windows Startup Screen (Registry/Configuration error) Sounds like time to re-install Win98. Does DIR even work? With command.com missing, it may not. What do you see if you type Dir at the C:> Prompt? Dir /AH? You should see at least these: Code: DIR: AUTOEXEC BAT COMMAND COM CONFIG SYS CDROM <DIR> PROGRA~1 <DIR> WINDOWS <DIR> DIR /AH: IO SYS MSDOS SYS SYSTEM 1ST Do you even have a Windows or CDROM directory? If DIR doesn't work, you need to boot with the Win98 startup floppy, then you can see what is on the drive and run scandisk to check for disk errors. If you don't have a startup floppy, one can be downloaded from www.bootdisk.com. Choose the Win98 OEM disk, or Win98SE OEM disk if you have Second Edition. __________________ Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience Of course I know all the answers; I just don't always match the answers to the right questions. Rated R for Violence -- When your PC flies through a window, that's violent, right?

10-21-2009, 01:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
lherring81 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9 OS: Vista	Re: Stuck on Windows Startup Screen (Registry/Configuration error) i get nothing with dir will windows boot from a cd b/c i do not know a a drive on a working pc