DLL error, Windows 98SE

I know there is no Microsoft support for Windows 98 anymore. However, I'm hoping someone can help me solve this problem. When I boot up, I get a pop up box that says:
error loading C:\PROGRA~1\MYWEBS~1\BAR\1.BIN\MWSBAR.DLL
(The system cannot find the path specified)
When I click on OK, I can use my computer. However, my freecell game is gone, and some other anomolies have occurred. My local computer store wants to sell me a new computer or re-format the hard drive and re-install my software for $200.

 

I probably removed it because I had downloaded the tool bar by mistake and wanted to get rid of it. I removed anything that said "my web" hoping to get rid of the toolbar. I did run my Lavasoft Spyware (free edition) after I was getting the error, so I don't think the spyware removed anything.

 

I would post the HijackThis log as shown. One of the HJT experts can then guide you in cleaning it up.

 

Windows 98SE dll error

Thank you to Arie and Whiskeyman for your input and threads. I ended up being able to fix the problem myself. A Uniblue Registry Booster somehow got on my start up page. I wrote to the their customer service asking how to get rid of it. They promptly got back to me and gave me a routine to go into msconfig and click on the StartUp tab. Along with their stuff, I found 2 or 3 boxes checked with the My Web Search E-Mail Plug In. Since Arie had said in his reply that the error had to do with the My Web Search Toolbar, I just unchecked them and restarted my computer. I worked. Maybe you guys felt I would have already done that. I'm sooo happy to have gotten rid of it.

 

Hi pw13901,

Thank you for updating the post with the fix that worked for you but.....

The fact that you still have the run key in the registry for the "my web search toolbar" is an indication that this malware nuisance may not have been cleaned up properly or only partially cleaned. It should have been part of the cleanup unless an inferior utility or method was used. Not knowing your security or maintenance habits or the programs and routines you use to accomplish these, you still may benefit from a visit to our security sub forum. Try the programs and cleaning routines suggested there. Online scan, in combination with Lavasoft Adware or Spybot cleaning and a followup hijackthis.log, if a problem is still suspected, could do your computer a world of good. Also aiding in the added computer boost is the followup housecleaning of temps and past possibly infected registry (backups) that is routinely recommended after doing such a cleanup. Using msconfig to prevent a startup is meant to be a temporary fix until a more permanent fix can be applied. Idealy you want to run computer starup in "Normal" mode. I know many users run on msconfig, relying on the use of the startup controls this tool offers and are quite happy doing so but that is not what this tool was meant or designed to do. Choice, however, is yours.

The above is only meant as advisory but I thought it worth stressing and mentioning once again. It is definitely worth a reconsideration.

 

Update/followup,,,

I received a very nice PM from pw13901. She has explained that she did look through the security subforum and checked out some posts while there. She felt a bit overwhelmed by the directions, programs and routine steps that are done prior to a hijackthis.log. She feels less then confident in doing this herself but realizes that it should be done due to ongoing sporadic problems with her computer. Luckily she has a daughter who has more experience and understanding of OS and has volunteered, on next visit home, to do this for her. Therefore she's chosen to wait for that visit.

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To pw13901,

I'm taking a chance that you will see this post at least one more time. I can understand how nerve racking, scary and stressful this type of thorough maintenance and cleanup is. While generally safe it can be a bumpy ride. It will take some knowledge in knowing recovery cautions and precautions, both for the operating system and for the programs you'll be running to accomplish. It doesn't, necessarily, mean you'll need them but you must know what to do just in case. I think it wise to wait for your daughter. Perhaps you can use this as a learning experience and rather than have her do it, you do it, with her guidance and support. We all had to start somewhere and it's just these types of problems that eventially make us feel more confident and self reliant with the challenges that the computer can throw at us from time to time.

Best wishes and thank you for taking the time to send me such a nice pm (private message). I hope you don't mind that I have chosen to answer this on the board, for all to see. We all learn from these posts and like to include all information and communication within the post. All of us take a personal interest in your problem and progress and are eager to help you achieve a happy ending.