Something weird happened today. I was just done installing Spybot spyware destroyer latest version ok and I did a scan and it told me to restart my computer in order for the fix to take into affect...and so I did. Computer restarts and Spybot did a 2nd scan check with 3 Dyfuca files remaining so I deleted those.

Shortly afterward, I access java.com to download the latest version of Java by SunMicrosoft.

Now here's the crazy part, after installing Java it advised me to restart my computer so it can take effect...I obliged.

The computer then went on to try to restart BUT BUT just after the blue cloud window screen appeared (before the files appear) the CPU turns off AUTOMATICALLY!!!!

What could necessarily be causing this? Was it the fault of Java? or Spybot? or something more sinister (necessary registry key deletion by spybot?)

HELP

I am on Hewlett Packard Pavilion, using Windows 98 and Internet Explorer 5 (will download IE.6 but not if I cant boot up to Window screen!)

Glad to get all the help:)

Does this happen every time that you attempt to start Windows normally?

Might try booting to DOS (F8) and perform

scanreg /restore

to select a registry backup prior to the problem.

IF you can't start in DOS, it's very likely a hardware problem.

btw - Spybot spyware destroyer?? Hopefully you mean Spybot Search & Destroy, but there are a lot of pale imitations out there

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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I'm sorry, I don't recall the whole name Spybot so I do what I can lol

Um, yes the problem just happened today. Prior to making this post, I tried booting 25-30 times and the computer just shuts off automatically almost immediately after the screen appears.

I don't have the Windows 98 boot diskette either:(

Well, I just mentioned it as there are copycats with very similar names - some worse than others.

It's somewhat unusual for a software problem to cause continual reboots - although a bad video setting might do it, no doubt other causes.

Have you tried Safe Mode at all??

A bootdisk isn't necessary to start in DOS (normally) - you invoke the Windows startup menu by hitting F8 about the time you see 'Starting Windows 98.. ' and select 'command prompt' or whatever option you wish.

It seems that you are able to boot the machine, it's just when Windows begins to load that the problem occurs.

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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Jim, I have tried to start in safe mode a number of time. But it doesn't work either, the problem being that I cannot access the Windows screen at all. The CPU just automatically shuts power. I'm not quite sure but I don't think it reboots as I need to manually turn the CPU on everytime it shuts down.

I did press F8 and select comand prompt (I think this was number 4) but from then on I don't know what exactly to type after C:>

Can you help me from there? Thanks again

Hi - sorry, I realized you said it shuts off, not reboots.

Yeah, ok, (just as in the original reply), enter

scanreg /restore

and select a date prior to the problem

Since you are able to start to DOS, the problem has to be with Windows. Restoring the registry to an earlier, problem free date would hopefully allow the machine to launch Windows normally, as this has the effect of undoing any registry changes or system.ini & win.ini alterations.

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jboy,

Last night I followed your advise (press F8, choose comand prompt, enter scan/reg)

So I got to the Microsoft registry checker and picked the one that had already been started (rb004.cab), click restore and it said I have a good registry that has no error and in order to begin using it I must restart the computer and so I press R for restart

the computer restart but it STILL shuts down just after window screen appear.

This is getting aggravating. I could spent that whole 30 late night minutes watching Letterman!

Any other suggestions?! THanks for your help

Hmm - well, if it's not a setting that's preventing Windows from loading, then it's likely a critical system file that's missing or corrupted - sometimes looking at c:\bootlog.txt can be helpful.

One thing to try that's not too extreme would be to reinstall Windows in its original folder (from DOS). IF you have the CAB files backed up on the hard drive - either in c:\windows\options\cabs or c:\win98 - then it's fairly easy, just navigate to that folder and run setup, choose c:\windows as the installation directory and maybe have your product key handy.

If the files aren't on disk, you would have to use the CD, and either boot from it or load the DOS CD drivers from the hard drive (if present) or from a bootdisk

That's all that occurs to me, perhaps there will be other suggestions.

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

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Exactly how do you boot from a CD? and by CD are you talking about a plain blank CD or the Windows 98 CD?

A blank CD is not going to do much of anything.

Some Windows 98 CDs are bootable, on machines that support that feature - you would check the BIOS and set the CD drive as the first boot device - or ensure that it comes before the hard drive. Otherwise, you would use a bootdisk with CD ROM support to boot the computer and run the CD's setup - in that case, you would want the floppy drive set as the first boot device.

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Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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Ok, I thought you mean there is a way to download Windows 98 into a CD> I will try again and see what happen. Thanks

What?? No - either you have the installation CD or it's backed up in one of those folders I'd mentioned. Otherwise..... you won't be able to attempt re-installation.

Yes, there are ways to backup an existing installation onto (likely several) CDs or alternate HDD or partition as a disk image - but you would have had to have done that prior to your current issues.

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jboy,
exactly how do I access the BIOS? press F8 and command prompt?

ok, now the "bootdisk with CD ROM support" i'm guessing I have to get that from my computer manufacter right?

I don't have the installation CD (lost it long time ago)

Sorry asking too many questions but all these computer jargons are giving me a headache and i'm quite a slow learner!

Ok, well, you need to know some of this stuff if you hope to do your own computer maintenance & repair.

BIOS has nothing to do with the DOS prompt (or any Operating System) - onscreen instructions on how to access it should appear as the machine powers up - usually it's the 'del' key, but this varies.

In my response #7, click on the coloured link to go to a bootdisk site. Download the one appropriate to your OS and use it to create a boot disk - - Don't copy it to a floppy, execute it from Windows and it will make a boot diskette.

"I don't have the installation CD (lost it long time ago)"

Really? Seems like a lot of people 'lose' theirs - considering its value, seems rather careless.

Did you check in those folders mentioned to see if you have the installation files backed up??

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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Sorry for late reply been busy with work and errands so had no time to check it out. Last night tried accessing BIOS with success. The name was Phoenix Bios Utility. I looked up the boot section but could not find anywhere where CD is added as the first drive. I think I might to quit from here. Thanks for all your help.

Yeah, well the option of being able to boot from the CD is not guaranteed to be there, particularly on an older machine (although you never actually posted any specs).

All that means is that you need to use a bootdisk with CD support, as mentioned - although neither method is much good without actually having the CD, as you have posted.

The other alternative would be to check for the installation files in the folders mentioned.

I can't guarantee that this procedure will correct the problem - but it stands a good chance. Very difficult if you don't have the CD or the files though - pointless actually.

good luck

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