I was adding a network card and install some dsl software on this computer. Previously I could connect with a dialup connection. Now I couldn't get the connections to work, otherwise the computer was running fine. I deleted the modem software, the compuserve and mindspring software in an attempt to start over. Then the computer would boot up and say the 386 emulation memory manager wasn't loaded, but would load windows ok. I took out the factory modem and installed one I got from Tigerdirect. The installation went fine and I could connect to compuserve. This was a dialup, I was going to re-attempt the dsl connection later. We had a power outage and a couple of days afterward when I looked at this computer again the screen was frozen so I rebooted it but it would only get to the windows 98 loading screen and get stuck. I used a startup disk to get to the dos screens and ran scandisk. It said my file structure was bad and the directories needed fixing so I said yes to each change. I ran this and got 3 undo floppies in the process. Now I can get to the 5 option page and it says I need to run scanreg because my registry files have been changed. But if I run it it says it doesn't recognize that command. I don't see a win directory anymore and all the directories have been changed from their names to numbers. Thanks for your help.

Memory tests

Memtest has an ISO for creating a CD
http://memtest86.com/
or
Docmem
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3001-2094-1534814.html

If Dell supplies you with a hard drive checker, you should also try it.

Do yourself a favor BACKUP!

Sounds like the hard drive structure has turned to mush - still likely useable but it's doubtful there is anything to restore.

Reinstallation seems to be in your future - you might try and salvage personal files (if they exist), either through DOS or else by slaving the drive to a working machine

Saying that XP is the most stable MS OS is like saying that asparagus is the most articulate vegetable

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