Registry error

Recently installed Registry Mechanic software with my Win 98SE OS.
Part of the software is an opportunity to compact the registry which removes gaps, wasted space and corrupt keys from registry and performs a physical defragmentation of the Windows registry files.
When I did this the following error came up during the system.dat phase at the 80% completion point:

"Windows found error in your system files and was unable to fix the problem. Try deleting some files to free up disk space on your Windows drive. If that doesn't work then you need to install windows to a new directory. "

Is there any way I can find out what the error is in the system files so it can be fixed without transferring windows to a new directory. My system appears to be operating fine.

 

It seems to be checking registry entries against the related files and has found one/some that are not there or corrupted.

I would boot into Safe Mode and run Scandisk set to "thorough" and "automatically fix errors ". Check the log when it is finished and see if particular files were identified.
You could run System File Checker in Safe Mode and reinstall any that were identified by Scandisk. System File Checker identifies Windows Updates as "modified" so if you reinstall those you will need to do your Windows Updates again.

I am not a registry tinkerer, so I am not sure what areas would be causing the problem. I would try running Regclean here
to see if the problem was identified any clearer.

I would run Scandisk though, in case there is an actual problem with the file system or the harddrive.
Unlikely to have any effect, but run Defragmenter in Safe Mode.
After those you will have made sure there is nothing "physically" wrong. If the system runs OK, I would not worry further.

You do have plenty of space on your C: drive?

Personally, I would rather reformat than reinstall to another folder.

Matt

 

??????????
Will someone please tell me where the above makes sense ?

Or am I miss-reading ?

It mentions deleting some files to make more space. Which to me is saying the drive is near full and lacking room to work.

Then it speaks of installing Windows to a new directory. That make no sense either. How are you going to put Windows in a New folder if there is no room ? At least not without deleting the old. Two installs of Windows Is nothing but TROUBLE anyway.

BillyBob

 

BillyBob

Like a great many win98 error messages, it makes NO sense. Not surprised.

 

Is there any way I can find out what the error is in the system files so it can be fixed without transferring windows to a new directory. My system appears to be operating fine.
I would recommmend having Scanreg repair the registry. It will take out empty space and optimize it a bit. The Fix afterwards does it a bit better.

Restart into Dos Mode, or press F8 when booting to get the Startup Menu, and choose Command Prompt.
Type in these two commands at the prompt, the first appears not to do much.
scanreg /opt
scanreg /fix