Computer boots in safe mode, but will not boot up regardless of the options I choose in MSConfig. Have also tried all options on the Advanced tab in MSConfig. Each time, the computer hangs at the Windows startup screen. Have not added any software. Also, don't know if this is a problem, but the c:\program files\microsoft office\office\OSA9.exe file shows up twice in the startup tab in MSConfig. Thanks Any ideas? Mackmi49

Try this: Simply do a registry restore. Reboot and hit F8 while booting. Select command prompt. Type command\scanreg/restore and hit enter. Highlight a date that is prior to the current problems. Hit enter and you should be in business. Try leaving a space after the word Scanreg. If you are at a pure command prompt the entire string should look like this: C: C:cd\windows c:\windows C:\windows\command C:\windows\command\scanreg/restore When getting the command prompt from the boot choices you are already in the C: drive, so it's not necessary to change drive letters.

Just for info, on W98 all you need to type at F8 Command Prompt is: scanreg /restore Although not necessary you can type the full path instead (as one line) like this: c:\windows\command\scanreg.exe /restore Either work fine. It's not even fussy about the space before /restore or the .exe after scanreg (although I regard both as good DOS practice). DerekW

I tried that and I was able to restore a previous registry. To verify that it was a good registry I ran scanreg /fix. At 92% complete, it came back with an error and stated that I did not have enough space on the windows drive. Checked drive space and found that I had 6 gig left. Also, I was trying to use regedit to access the product key using dos and it came up with an error, but I was able to get into it via Windows with no problem. Any ideas? Mackmi49

Things that appear to be registry issues very often are actually RAM problems. Clean the edge connectors with a clean rubber pencil eraser because even tarnish which is not visible can cause failures. If you have more than one RAM stick try each one on its own in first postition. There is also a RAM tester available at www.docmemory.com (you "create" a floppy using it - don't just put the download onto a floppy). Any error is unacceptable. DerekW

I didn't try removing the RAM yet, but I ran the computer on Check It Diagonistics. The software completed a number of tests on the RAM, Hard Disk and processor and all of the tests were passed in Safe Mode. Do I still need to remove the RAM and check for tarnish, or does passing the tests point me elsewhere? Mackmi49

Well, strictly the tests should have found it but I suppose it might just have happened to been connecting OK during the test. No harm cleaning it but it doesn't sound too hopeful. If you do go in there I'd clean the video card edge connectors too (if it is an add-on card). Apart from that you could try tempoarily disabling everything in msconfig except ScanRegistry. If it works then pop them back a few at a time to nail the culprit. I doubt if it is anything to do with your problem but it is possible to remove the duplicate entry for OSA9.exe in msconfig. Make sure it really is identical though. You can do this from the registry and I can give you further information if necessary. However you should be able to find it if you search the registry for OSA9.exe (if ticked it will be under one the Run or RunServices headings and show the path). If unticked in msconfig it will be under Run- or RunServices- but if you are unsure shout back. There could be other entries for OSA9.exe that should be left in place. DerekW