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Posted: Mar 27 2009 12:35 pm

I'm running Windows 98 and a bunch of .dll files are now corrupt which is preventing me from running most programs (Outlook express, internet explorer...basically everything but firefox and explorer, though functionality is limited). I cannot run setup off the CD in windows because of the errors, and I cannot fix the missing files with sfc.exe. I want to just reinstall windows 98, but the setup file won't run in DOS and it can't run in windows.

What do I do?

Posted: Mar 27 2009 01:47 pm

If there is not a ridiculous amount dll's corrupted, you can write down a list of corrupted dll's, and if they are os dll's you can find them on the windows 98 cd as *.dl_ . On another computer snag the dl_ you need from the cd, then in dos type expand -r *.dl_ and that will expand them to dll's. Save them to a disk or disks, boot your work computer to dos and copy the dll's to respective locations. I have done this a long time ago with a few, but I'm not sure how well it would work if you have a lot.

Posted: Mar 27 2009 02:05 pm

Well ntdll.dll was the first one that was fucked. I was able to boot in DOS and copy it from the windows CD to the system folder. The next one I'm having issues with is cfgmgr32.dll which is inside a .cab file on the CD. I extracted the file to the desktop, rebooted in DOS, and copied the file, but it doesn't seem to have done anything at all.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Jeebus,

You should be able to boot off of a Windows 98 CD, then you could re-run the setup as an overlay installation of Windows 98.

Out of curiosity do you happen to know the specs of the machine? Processor type & ram amount?

Posted: Mar 27 2009 03:02 pm

Is it running 98 or 98SE?

Also, if it can run 98, it should be able to run 2000, which is way more stable and secure.

Posted: Mar 27 2009 03:51 pm

Don't have a disk for 2000, and it's running 98 I believe.

GP, I know that's exactly what I need to do, but it's not booting off the disk. The boot sequence is CD, floppy, hard drive. It will boot of a floppy, but not the windows CD. I suppose I could try putting it in the other CD drive, but they both definitely work.

No idea on the specs, but it's probably comparable to or slightly worse than mine.

#edit:Any reason it wouldn't boot, and how do I fix that?

Posted: Mar 27 2009 06:57 pm

Make a bootdisk, or download one and place it on a floppy. Make sure it has the MSCDEX files so that your CD-ROM will work in DOS. Boot from the floppy so you get to a DOS prompt. Then place your Windows CD into the drive, go to that drive, and then run "SETUP.EXE" off the CD. That should take you to the installer.

Posted: Mar 27 2009 07:34 pm

That was the first thing I tried. it says the setup needs to be run in windows.

Posted: Mar 27 2009 07:47 pm

So you have an upgrade disc, and not a full version?

Posted: Mar 28 2009 01:13 am

whats the specs on this computer so I can tell if it can run XP or not, at the very worst it could run Windows 2000

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Jeebus, you could technically boot from a floppy disk and run the installation from there.

In fact... do that.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
Win98SE OEM

Posted: Mar 28 2009 10:17 am

have you tried pissing the vents?

Posted: Mar 28 2009 10:41 am

GPFontaine wrote:

Jeebus, you could technically boot from a floppy disk and run the installation from there.

In fact... do that.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
Win98SE OEM

Is this any different from the disk windows makes itself, like does this have the setup file on it? Otherwise, I don't see how this will be any different.

And Ermac, like I said I don't have a 2000 or XP disk so it doesn't matter if the computer can handle it.

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Dr. Jeebus wrote:

GPFontaine wrote:

Jeebus, you could technically boot from a floppy disk and run the installation from there.

In fact... do that.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
Win98SE OEM

Is this any different from the disk windows makes itself, like does this have the setup file on it? Otherwise, I don't see how this will be any different.

And Ermac, like I said I don't have a 2000 or XP disk so it doesn't matter if the computer can handle it.

Jeebus,

A proper boot environment with access to the original source materials (CD) should allow an overlay installation without file permission or corruption issues.

If you can't get that working, you can try a ScanDisk and then give it another go.

ScanDisk:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/186365

If you still can't get this going please answer the following:

1. What processor does the system use
2. How much RAM does the system have
3. Is there critical data or programs on the drive or do you just want a working machine without regard for the drive contents.

Posted: Mar 28 2009 12:26 pm

1. P3
2. 256
3. Just need a working comp, no critical files

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Dr. Jeebus wrote:

1. P3
2. 256
3. Just need a working comp, no critical files

If you have access to Windows 2000, you should get it and install it.
If you must install Windows 98, SE is the preferred version.

Next set of questions:
4a. Do you have original media for 98 or 2000 that is not an upgrade version?
4b. Do you have a license key for it?
5. Will this computer hook up to the internet, if so will it be via broadband or dial-up?

Posted: Mar 28 2009 03:32 pm

4a. Yes for 98 and a 98 upgrade disk
4b. Yes
5. Yes, broadband

Joined: Dec 06 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 11244

Jeebus,

I think that this is what you want to follow:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221829

Start at the section:
How to Partition the Hard Disk

You want to use FAT32.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE ETHERNET DRIVER SAVED ON A FLOPPY DISK OR CD ROM BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING NOT A USB FLASH DRIVE.