The pc reported a problem with the registry right after a normal computer start-up (pc hadn't crashed prior to that). The computer restarted itself with the last working registry . however, since then i cannot rename files/save anything/right click on a file/start InternetExplorer without the system starting a search for a file of the MS Office XP ("proret.msi") starting it search on the optical drives. I don't have the file and i cancel out twice (the request comes up twice in a sequence despite cancelling). The OS then continues on fine... meaning it does save, start an IExplorer window. I don't have any working reg.back ups anymore that i could install. I tried to run registry repair programs without success. Any suggestions? i've spent 20+ hours already trying to get rid myself of the problem. (The computer was used: i don't have the originial cds for many of the programs... reinstalling the OS would mean a lose a lot of the computers utility to me.)

You might try SCANREG /FIX from an msdos prompt, it won't hurt to try

Do a full system virus scan before you do anything else. There is a good chance a virus was the cause of the original problem. If so, it's still lurking in there and will do it again. You do have an AV program, don't you. Be sure your definitions are current. If FJB's suggestion doesn't work out, I suspect you will need to do a reinstall of your OS. Ray

I agree it could be a virus. Try AVG Anti-Virus - free for home use with free upgrades. "(The computer was used: i don't have the originial cds for many of the programs... reinstalling the OS would mean a lose a lot of the computers utility to me.)" First off, if you don't own the software, it's probably illegal to use it. Second, sooner or later you'll eventually have to reformat the hard drive anyway. Third, re-installing the operating system as a repair install should not affect the installed software or user files - it will only overwrite the Windows files. Forth, if you restored the registry to a date before certain software titles were installed, you'll have to re-install them. You know there are Freeware alternatives to just about any type of software. What type of software do do use? Office? Games? Multimedia? Best Wishes, Bob

thanks to everyone who answered so far! in reply to the suggestions so far: To FBJ: i did as FJB suggested and ran scanreg /fix, but it didn't alleviate the problem. same stuff... all explorer/iexplorer related. i wonder if there is something in reg that i could change manually to not let it look for a program that it doesn't need anyhow. :-( To Ray/Bobthearch - --Re Virus: I thought so, too, and i actually have AVG Anti-Virus (recent sig file) installed. I also ran F-Prot for Dos (free too! great program!), but nothing came up. -- Re: re-installation: The OS is in the computer in .cab files... could i just burn them to CD and re-install the computer from there? ====== To explain why i really don't want to reinstall the program: the programs that i are not mine but came with the used computer (my now ex-friend doesn't use the software anyhow anymore: it was for a college class) are Microsoft Visual C++ and MS Visual Basic. [These programs are probably very expensive. The person I got the computer originally from doesn't use the programs: they were for a computer programming class in college and he is not the programming type. This person is now a definite X-friend so I cannot approach him for the originals.] Any further suggestions or help concerning my reinstallation question? Thank you for reading and helping. :)

Hello To install Win98SE on top of your present system, you need a Win98 Boot Disk. Take it from here. There are also all needed instructions to install & use it. good luck and please let us know how it worked. PS1: indeed, no software will be touched PS2: use /is switch (R:\>setup /is) to avoid MS scandisk.

Another angle, bad RAM can cause registry problems.