Windows 98 will not start

I installed a network interface card on my emachine which has Windows 98 on it, in order to install DSL on my computer. I do not have the Windows 98 CD which came with my computer, and of course, I needed it. Somehow, I installed the interface card but my Windows will not start completely. It does a scandisk check and then takes me to the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup Menu. I have chosen every option there and it checks all of my files but it will not start. I have tried to use my Restore CD but that won't work either. I have gotten this message...the following file is missing or corrupt C:\DVDROM\OAKCDROM.SYS
Config.sys file on line 6. Can anyone help me? What do I need to do? Thanks.

 

Are you using a bootdisk? On that bootdisk is a config.sys file with a setting in that is trying to load your cdrom driver. It is using the path in the command line "c:\dvdrom\oakcdrom.sys" in other words it is looking for a directory folder called "dvdrom" on c: that has "oakcdrom.sys" file in it.

oakcdrom.sys is usually located in *\windows\command folder

You will either have to
edit this line in the config.sys on the floppy pointing it to the correct place to find oakcdrom.sys.

Or make a directory[folder] on c: called dvdrom and copy oakcdrom.sys to it.

This is the easiest.....
Or go to www.bootdisk.com and download a working bootdisk, test it before you need it.

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Alternative is:
while you may have gotten that lan card in and recognized by windows, I suspect that none of the drivers or the networking files needed where loaded. I suggest that you pull the card until you can download the necessary files then boot to a c prompt and run a scanreg /restore registry backup that predates the time you tried to install this card.

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You have classified/described yourself as intermediate so I have left out the detailed How-to's but if you need any of these on anything I have suggested just append to your post and I or another will tack those in here.

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NOTE: Lan card is going to want to install networking components and it will ask for and require a win98 cdrom unless you have these cab files on the harddrive [either per your preference or as some OEM manufacturers do as default. Maybe located in *\windows\options folder but you'd have to search for *.cab to be sure.] You may be in for a bit of a challenge. It may be possible to download needed files , one by one, from the net.

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I haven't even touched on the subject of using your restore disk. I hope your able to recover and avoid this extreme. More computer specifics such as make and model of your computer would have to given, anyway. These guys use all sorts of methods, optionsand directions for restoring.

 

It Didn't Work

I tried the scanreg/restor and I still get the same thing. I must've crashed my computer. It still keeps going through the microsoft scandisk and then to the windows startup menu. I did get the message that I restored a good registry before any errors. I guess I will have to get a new computer or take it to the shop. Perhaps, I am just a beginner on computers, after all. I have an emachine 400idx with the cd/dvd with windows 98 and i got it in 1999. Do you know where I can get a Windows 98 cd? I don't care about DSL anymore, I just want to be able to bring up my computer. I can't get to anything.

 

Here's one place:
http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?src=FG&item=30143