Problem... Help Please!

relish · 07-04-2005, 12:48 PM

I'm using Win98 and today everything worked fine, until the computer got stuck while I was connected to the internet. Still normal, But...
When I restarted the computer I got a message from Microsoft (Maybe), that ask me to enter the serial for the OS. (My Win is legal and I used a legal serial), and without that I can't use my computer. I tried the "Safe Mode" but I got a message that "Explorer made an illegal operation..." and nothing works. Is it a Virus? Have I done something that caused it? How can I resolve it? It's really important, cause there are some valueble files on that HD.
Thanks a LOT! (And sorry it's so long...)

**jgvernonco** · 07-04-2005, 12:51 PM

You do not have the serial number,, or putting the serial number in did not work?

relish · 07-04-2005, 01:28 PM

But I don't know if it's a virus, so I didn't enter it 'till I get an answer from an expert...

**Terrister** · 07-04-2005, 03:45 PM

I have seen 98 mess up and lose its key before. I have never heard of a virus doing this. In most cases, you key in the code and all is well. It still would be a good idea to do a scandisk and virus/spyware scan if all is working after you put in the code.

relish · 07-05-2005, 02:56 AM

I did a registry recover in dos mode and now everything is fine... (I didn't enter the serial).
Thank you for your help.
Sure I'm gonna scan for viruses anyway, but as you said it doesn't seem to be a virus... Just a win failure...

**ReeKorl** · 07-05-2005, 04:46 AM

It sounds likely that it was just a registry corruption - sometimes the registry just dies on you and as the CD key and registration information is sitting in there, it thinks the OS isn't verified yet, so it asks you for it.

07-04-2005, 12:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
relish Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Problem... Help Please! I'm using Win98 and today everything worked fine, until the computer got stuck while I was connected to the internet. Still normal, But... When I restarted the computer I got a message from Microsoft (Maybe), that ask me to enter the serial for the OS. (My Win is legal and I used a legal serial), and without that I can't use my computer. I tried the "Safe Mode" but I got a message that "Explorer made an illegal operation..." and nothing works. Is it a Virus? Have I done something that caused it? How can I resolve it? It's really important, cause there are some valueble files on that HD. Thanks a LOT! (And sorry it's so long...)

07-04-2005, 12:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
jgvernonco Old Timer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern Arizona Posts: 7,958 OS: Vista Home Premium, SP 27	You do not have the serial number,, or putting the serial number in did not work? __________________ Donations keep TSF moving forward. Please help. http://www.myspace.com/speedbumpthecelt

07-04-2005, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
relish Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5 OS: XP	I have the serial, But I don't know if it's a virus, so I didn't enter it 'till I get an answer from an expert...

07-04-2005, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	I have seen 98 mess up and lose its key before. I have never heard of a virus doing this. In most cases, you key in the code and all is well. It still would be a good idea to do a scandisk and virus/spyware scan if all is working after you put in the code. __________________

07-05-2005, 02:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
relish Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Thanks a LOT! I did a registry recover in dos mode and now everything is fine... (I didn't enter the serial). Thank you for your help. Sure I'm gonna scan for viruses anyway, but as you said it doesn't seem to be a virus... Just a win failure...

07-05-2005, 04:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
ReeKorl Superhuman Computer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 6th Circle, The City of Dis, Hell Posts: 1,610 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 My System	It sounds likely that it was just a registry corruption - sometimes the registry just dies on you and as the CD key and registration information is sitting in there, it thinks the OS isn't verified yet, so it asks you for it. __________________ "Sorry, the number you have dialled is imaginary. Please rotate dial by 90 degrees and try again."