Kernel Crash-Part 2

In my post of 7 July BillyBob took issue with my method of re-installing 98 SE. I didn't quite understand his bit about re-doing the 'path' business. If you (BillyBob) read this could you elaborate a bit? My system is working quite well now though I did have to re-install a lot of programs and such so I would like to understand how to do it your way the next time, which probably won't be far off.

Thanks

 

Path refers to the drive and directories of where file(s) are located.
C:\Windows is a path.

E:\Win98\Setup.Exe is a full path and file name.
C:\Windows\System\Regsvr32.Exe is a full path and file name.
C:\My Documents\Textfile.Doc is a full path and file name.

You ever put in a dos command and get a 'bad command or filename'? This can be one of two things, a misspelling or the file cannot be found in the current path.
For example, if you were to type in the following command in a dos window;
regsvr32
You get a bad command or file name, but if you were to type in;
c:\windows\system\regsvr32
You'll get a pop up message saying No Dll found, and a bunch of command line switches displayed, which would be OK in this instance as a dll was not specified, but the correct program was called up as dos was given a full path and filename.

The reason some commands work in a dos window or from Start\Run without a full path is because dos has what is called a PATH variable set. The default PATH variable for a Win9x OS is C:\Windows;C:\Windows\Command, so that no matter what directory you are in, this PATH will be searched for the filename after the current path is searched.
Type the following in a dos window and you will see what I mean;
set

The PATH for a Win98 startup floppy is
%RAMD%:\;a:\;%CDROM%:\

Where %RAM% is the Ramdrive or for you since you had a C: and D: drive it would be E:\ , and the %CDROM% would have been the CD at F:\
or
the effective PATH is
E:\;a:\;F:\

Does this help?