While attempting to load a game my 13 yr old searched, found and clicked a line pertaining to EMS memory. Now when booting the computer, win98 reverts to DOS and shows as follows ****************************************** ** Win 98 MS-DOS Mode ** ** Expanded Memory (EMS) Support ** ** ** ** Type EXIT to return to Windows ** ****************************************** If I type EXIT the computer reboots and windows reverts to DOS again. I have pondered the problem and started Win98 in safe mode. I run sysedit and find lots of info in my autoexec.bat All lines NOT preceded by REM are as follows @ECHO OFF SET TMP=C:\windows\TEMP SET TEMP=C:\windows\TEMP SET PROMPT=MS.DOS mode $p$g SET WINBOOTDIR=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND SET PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND then after a number of lines preceded by'REM' I find CLS ECHO*************************************** ECHO** Win 98 MS-DOS Mode ** ECHO** Expanded Memory (EMS) Support ** ECHO** ** ECHO** Type EXIT to return to Windows ** ECHO*************************************** THEN AFTER A NUMBER OF LINES PRECEDED BY REM (ONE OF WHICH SAYS THE FOLLOWING WAS ADDED BY WINDOWS AND NOT TO REMOVE) IT READS C: CD C:\WINDOWS CALL C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM C:\WINDOWS\WIN.COM/WX My intuition encourages me to type REM at the front of the CALL C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM line Would this allow the computer to boot to windows? My intuition has dug me some pretty deep holes before I haven't a clue what I'm doing ... really. Is anyone there? densch99

Sometimes sofware, particularly games, will rename the config.sys and autoexec.bat files and create their own versions. When the software is exited normally the new versions are replaced with the original ones. However, if the software is not exited normally you get stuck with the new versions. Try this: Start up the computer. Before the OS starts to load, start tapping F8. A menu should come up. Choose 'safe mode command prompt only'. At the c:\> prompt type: ren c:\autoexec.bat autoexec.xxx and enter. Then ren c:\autoexec.wos autoexec.bat and enter. Then ren c:\config.sys config.xxx and enter. Then ren c:\config.wos config.sys and enter. Then reboot normally. That will manually make the change. Post back if you get a 'file not found' message.

Thanks for responding DAVE, As you suggest the message after entering line # 2 was "file not found c:\autoexec.wos" any suggestions? densch99

If you are just anxious to get your machine to boot up normally then simply disable them by renaming them like this: ren c:\autoexec.bat autoexec.old ren c:\config.sys config.old They are only needed for DOS games (or other DOS programs). Windows doesn't need them but it won't boot if there is problematic info inside them. They are not necessary for fault finding using DOS. The contents of the ".old" versions can still be looked at using NotePad to see if there is anything you wish to retain and they can always be renamed back from Windows if necessary. A blank autoexec.bat might arrive if you do this but it is of no consequence. DerekW

So ... in other words, Config.sys and autoexec.bat are only needed to operate in Dos? ... does this mean I can monkey around and not be afraid of losing w98 in safe mode? ...where I can always change back whatevcer I tweaked? What a great forum !!!! Thanks for your help ...love it! densch99

Yep, and they are not necessary for doing tweaks/deletions etc in DOS - only for programs (usually games). Sure, as you can get to Safe Mode you can rename them both to .old or whatever from there (without bothering with those DOS commands I gave you) and they will be disabled. With luck Windows will then start normally next boot, which is a lot easier on your eyballs. You can then take your time deciding what lines, if any, would be useful to you. DerekW

Fabulous ... I thank you ... and my 13 year old son will think me a computer genius! .... like I said ..a great forum Thanks Again and Happy Holidays! densch99