Windows 98 boot problem

In safe mode, the error message doesn't appear, though Windows then gets hung up because it can't find the USB mouse. I'll rename the folder from Dell to Dell.tmp (using Windows Explorer?) and reboot.

Dave

 

Ok Dave that is good news, that confirms that it is being displayed from some windows startup. These are not run in safe mode.

As soon as you let me know about the results of renaming the Dell folder we may be able to finish this.

mike

 

Mike:

After renaming to Dell.tmp, and starting W98 in Non-safe mode (regular mode), the error message no longer appears. But, I get two error messages before I get to the desktop.

One says "File missing or corrupted C: Dell\RTC.CLK "

The other says "There is an error in your Config.sys file line 14. "

Hopefully, this is the real problem. I'm not sure what to do next though.

Thanks again.

Dave

 

10-4 we have it now!

Browse to the root of C: find the config.sys rt click and choose view. Then copy this and paste it back in a post.

Did you sen me all of startuplist because the config.sys was not listed so i assumed you did not have a config.sys. The autoexec.bat was there?

Mike

 

Food for thought.

Even though the " requires Dell BIOS " message can be disposed of can we be sure that the system will be a stable system ?

I myself do not think so.

I believe the MBR of that HD is still going to be set for the Dell BIOS.

I have taken an HD from one Motherboard to another ( both with Award BIOS ) without redoing the HD from scratch ( FDISK ) and had nothing but problems.

Dave111

When you ran Fdsik. Did you look for any NON-DOS partitions ?

And another little hint.

I suggest that you get rid of that USB Mouse until you get Windows completely installed and working properly. Any hardware problems like that * CAN/MAY * disrupt a proper install.

That is why I had to change my Main pointing device to a PS2.

Does that mouse possibley had a PS2 adaptor for it. Mine does. Then you will also have it in Safe Mode.

To get a good solid install of Windows it must go from clicking on INSTALL right through to the final boot WITHOUT hangups.

BillyBob

 

Mike:

This is all that's listed in that part of startup list:

C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT listing:

C:\VIAUDIO\VIAUDIO.COM

Then there's a dotted line. I don't see config.sys anywhere in that entire printout.

Also, you lost me on "Browse to the root of C..." You're talking about using regedit, correct? I've never tried to troubleshoot Windows this way before, so some of these maneuvers are totally foreign to me.

To Billybob -- under fdisk, under partition info, I see only the primary dos partition, but I don't see a way to view non-dos partitions.

I see your point about possible instability. Since I did the overlay of W98 yesterday though, things have been quite stable, and I've been doing a lot with the computer. It's only been a day though.

Thanks to both you guys for trying to help.

Dave

 

Dave NO! Not regedit!

Use My Computer and select c: look for a config.sys, rt click and choose view, copy the view and paste back to me.

Dave I think the reinstall fixed most dell specific stuff and we are now dealing with the last of these.

A few days will tell if there are problems related to the boot sector/mbr.

If so it is easy to fix with an Fdisk/mbr but not untill we have problems.

mike

 

(Laughing)...I don't know how all the experienced people on this site can stand working with us novices. We are so clueless....(laughing harder)

When I was in school, we had Apple Basic, and Windows were just something you looked out of.

Anyway, using Notepad, this is what Sys.config contains:


REM [Header]


REM [CD-ROM Drive]
REM DEVICE=C:\CDROM\NECATAPI.SYS /D:MSCD001 /PIO

REM [Miscellaneous]

REM [Display]

DEVICE=c:\windows\setver.exe
[COMMON]
DEVICE=C:\DELL\RTC.CLK +R


Hopefully, this makes sense.

Thanks again.

 

10-4

Now do the same thing with My Computer but this time when you rt click choose edit.

Cange nothing else just go to the begining of this line

DEVICE=C:\DELL\RTC.CLK +R

and add the word REM and one space so it reads

REM DEVICE=C:\DELL\RTC.CLK +R

then save & exit

Then reboot and the message will now be gone.

We may or may not get a mesage due to the Dell folder being renamed but we will handle that next if so!

So let me know.

Mike

 

Also laughing.

Unless I am mistaken we were all inexperienced and clueless at one time.

Laughing even harder. I am BACK to that point

I thought I was quite experienced and had a lot of clues UNTILL I installed XP

Now I have to start learning something NEW.

BillyBob

 

Those of us who presently are clueless appreciate what you guys do to help.

Mike -- rebooted system twice, and no BIOS error message appears. W98 loads normally and system seems fine so far.

USB mouse working okay -- any reason to try to alter it to work in Safe Mode? Or I can just leave the PS/2 mouse plugged in.

Thanks for all your help.

Dave

 

A USB can not be altered for PS2 unless you do have the adaptor.

Does that mean you have two mice ??

If it does. YES both can be left plugged in.

If it means you only have one but plugged into PS2 I would leave it there. You will always have it for use. Even in DOS if needed.

I have not seen a bit of difference in preformace between a PS2 and a USB.

BillyBob

 

BillyBob -- I meant alter Windows to recognize the USB mouse in safe mode. It wouldn't do so during the overlay install, and I had to go get a second mouse, this one PS/2. Mike had suggested that a patch might be needed for W98 to see the USB mouse in safe mode or install mode.

Dave

 

Wait for Mike But I do think USB is availabe in the safe mode.

The safe mode DOES NOT load anything other than what is need to run the BASIC Windows.

BB

 

OK Dave what BB is saying is that if you had the right kind of problem requiring a mouse in safe mode (we got around it this time) you will be up the creek!

No a usb mouse can not work in safe mode or dos. Can not be altered.

A ps2 mouse is better because of this. Or use the USB but have a cheap ps2 available if needed.

Now you can do 2 things to finish up. Remove the dell folder. And if you want edit the config.sys and remove that line.

Let us know if you have any other issues related to the switching of the HD to another M/B.

Good luck.

Mike

 

Ok Mike. Thanks to you for so much effort. I have signed up as contributing member to this site. What a great resource.

Regards,

Dave

 

Arie.... Arie

Where is my commision??

Lol!

Ok Dave thanks for the thanks.

Let us know how things are going in a few days.

Mike

 

That is 100% for sure.

I also hope you have good luck from here on.

BillyBob

 

BB I have had a few occasions to have a client have a usb mouse and it would not work in safe mode.

I just didn't bother with it, I hooked up a ps2 mouse and fixed the problem and put back the USB when I was finished.

It may have to do with the USB support in the BIOS and if set properly.

Mike