On my IBM Aptiva today when I attempted to start it- it flashed the IBM splash screen but instead of starting up in Wndows 98 a bunch of words appeared on the screen like:Win 98 is now starting your MS based DOS program, Dos device setup utility, and then it goes through checking the different devices like the mouse,etc (looks like its in DOS -has a black screen with white letters)then after everything is loaded up I get the prompt C:\WINDOWS> with a flashing curser after the arrowhead. Im able to start up in Safemode (BY TAPPING F8 AT STARTUP)and fixed everthing that Scan Disk found but I'm still getting that prompt and Windows doesnt start up. Dont think I have a virus but perhaps one of the kids pushed a wrong button on the eyboard the other day. Does anybody have any suggestions or came upon this startup problem before? Thanks in advance for any help.

At the dos prompt type: type c:\config.sys and enter. Be sure to include the word 'type'. Is there a line there that reads: dos=single ? If so type: edit c:\config.sys and enter. The EDIT program should open config.sys. Delete the dos=single line. Save and exit EDIT and see if it'll boot normally.

Hi DAVEINCAPS, I learned something today. Never heard of that one. M2

Also, at the prompt C:\WINDOWS> type: exit or win or windows or hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete to return to Windows. Bryan

Yeah, some games configure their own config.sys and autoexec.bat. So when you click on the game it replaces the existing versions with the game's versions and then reboots the computer. Ideally when you exit the game it switches the files back. But sometimes, maybe if the game's exited improperly, you get stuck with the wrong version. When theprop mentioned getting the message about the 'msdos program loading' I thought maybe that's what happened. As Bryan suggested maybe typing 'exit' might have been a good first step. That may correct the order and cause a reboot with the right files. I didn't think of it at the time.

Thanks guys! I typed in EXIT and it cleared up the problem. My computer is back to normal :)

You're welcome. We're glad you got it going.