Have a Gateway P450 w/ 448M RAM. I deleted a file that Norton had quarantined (WINOSCFG.EXE- is this a worm or an actual file that I need to run?). Since then I have had sporadic luck in rebooting. Get the OE 0028:00000009 or 0028:00000013 error and the blue screen of death. I think reinstalling Windows98 will fix this problem, but what is the proper procedure. I can get to the command prompt on bootup, but I'm told you shouldn't reinstall over the current files. How do I delete the program and reinstall it. When I run the disk it says there's already an operating system and it doesn't recommend I continue. Any tips?

What you need to do is to make a windows boot disk, assuming that you have'nt all ready got one, this can be done in add/remove programms in control panel under the start up tab. Next you want to retreve all the data you can off your computer i.e. address books and saved data as you will loose it all. Start the computer with the boot disk is, this will give you the option to start with CD-rom support, choose this option. You will then be taken to the command prompt once the drivers have been installed. then type FORMAT C: this will format you hrd drive and erase all data. next time oyu re-start you will need your boot disk. again start with it and you will be given an option whether or not you want to install windows. Follow the instructions and remember to have all of your driver disk to hand as you are going to need them to re-install all of oyu hardware, Hope this helps!!

I can't get the computer to boot into Windows to copy any files and want to avoid reformatting the hard drive (I had to do that about a month ago) Is there a way to reinstall without reformatting? Also, is the WINOSCFG.exe file a worm or is it an actual program file that I need?

You got it, it's a spyware worm. 2 other files usually accompany "winoscfg.exe": "dss.exe" and "dss4.exe". Delete them from DOS, try booting to Windows in Safe Mode, and Run "MSCONFIG" to halt any undesirable application from auto-loading (startup, system.ini, win.ini, autoexec.bat). Now, if you can boot up normally, download Ad-Aware and run it. It will detect (and offer to delete) any reference to adware/spyware files and registry keys. Otherwise, you will have to edit the Registry manually (carefully). Good Luck... hope it's not too late.

If you have to reinstall, rename win.com to something like win_old.com & then install as normal. Be sure to install to the C:\Windows directory, though. Not the C:\Windows.000 Directory that setup will suggest. Hope this helps. Dave