Unless this program has tucked the files away somewhere with details of their locations then we have no idea what files are missing. In any event there has been a lot of activity since then. The files may well have been removed because they are duplicates but these are often necessary and are sometimes different file versions. This is how you do the overlay: If you can get your hands on another W98 machine then go to "Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs/Startup Disk tab" and make yourself a boot disk (floppy). That is the best bet, but otherwise you can go to www.bootdisk.com and make one from the download on another machine (don't just copy the download files onto the floppy). In this instance the other machine doesn't need to be W98. Assuming you make one on a W98 machine then power off, put in the floppy, then power on again. It will then boot with it and eventually give you various options. You choose "Start with CD-ROM support". Watch the screen and you will see that Windows grabs your CD letter to temporarily use as a RAM drive. If you use the normal floppy made in Windows it will move the letter up by one (so if your CD is D it will become E). Downloaded floppies often use some other letter such as R, but the procedure is identical. You then put in your W98SE CD and (assuming it moves D up to E) you type: E: (hit Return key) setup (hit Return key) It might ask if you want Windows installed to C:\WINDOWS.000. If it does then redirect it to C:\WINDOWS so that you don't end up with two installations. DerekW

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Larry, Might we ask some questions? What were those Details you referenced, in the original question? Probably a mute question now though. What was/is the name of these programs/utilities you used? Does this computer startup to windos, and run? Not, fully functioning, but run. Before I forget. Derek, I think he said he didn't have a disk. But, the files for a install. Might, might be on the hard drive, yes. Wait, I think he said something about copying the windows directory. Ok, I guess it's time to read it all again.... Eek, Larry, walk us through what exactly you copied from where to where. Also how. Thanks!! CrazyOne awed ;-)

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It is possible I suppose that someone has put the Windows CD files on your machine. Try searching for Win98_30.cab (if you find that one there's a fighting chance the rest are there too). It can all get a bit messy because the registry will be way out of step with the changes you've made. DerekW

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Ok thanks for all the info. This is what happened. It was slow and had extra things so I tried 'disk cleanup' and then several 'registry and file cleanup' utilities. Then I put the defragment. Then, when it rebooted, it said that it needed a file named 'schlwapi' (something like this) and another one. Then when you click ok for each one, it said that Windows has to be reinstalled. Then I copied those files from another Windows 98 computers (I dont think it was second edition though) and it started ok, but then said that Explorer caused a fatal error... etc. and it didnt go into Windows. Then I copied all the files from the Windows 98 hard drive, to the one with the issue (Windows directory, and System directory)... Then it ran ok, but has many many issues with it. (For example, I reinstalled the wireless ethernet card and it seems to work, but it doesnt get an IP address- it connects to the router, but doesnt get an address. Several other programs dont work either...) Right now I think that the best thing to begin with could have been to copy the files that it wanted- but from Windows 98 Second Edition and not the first one. Maybe that would have made it ok... But right now I guess that after it has now half Second Edition and half First (or something like that) I would get the CD and install it again- 'overlay'. In other words, right now I think that based on what you people have said, it would make sense to try and reinstall it... Thanks, Larry

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Yes, it's the "muddle up" that bothers me. As the files you replaced were earlier, then if you overlay W98SE it should update all of them, so I think there is a very good chance it could straighten things out. The registry would also match up with everything once more. If you get hold of a W98SE CD then it seems pointless copying files about when the overlay will make a much more pristine job of the whole system. OK, reformat is even better but you then loose everything. In any event the reformat option is still there on the back burner in the unlikely event that you should have to go that way. DerekW

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Hi, I am having the same problem as Larry. The explorer came up and i wont go to the desktop or even in safe mode. I do have the quick restore cd but the drive wont power up. its saying put quickstore disk one in. i dont know whatelse to do it wont reformat.

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No two problems are ever quite alike. Your best bet is to start your own new post. Select your operating system (top left of this page) and post there. Describe your exact symptoms and any background. Someone will help with your own particular problem. DerekW

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