Help……I was having a clear up of my computer yesterday (history/files etc) and I now find myself thinking I’ve lost my entire Windows software?? I deleted my temp Internet files, cookies and history (on internet options) followed by some other files (word/music/movie). I emptied my recycle bin and then I noticed that on my drop-up tool bar (Start – bottom left of screen) the top four icons were missing their usual pictorial displays as were replaced by a kind of windows icons. An icon on the screen then appeared saying that an illegal operation had taken place and that it would shut down – which it tried to do before kind of freezing on me. As the computer wouldn’t turn off (as it had freezed) I eventually turned it off from the mains. When I restarted it the ‘Windows Wizard’ box appeared on the screen asking me to accept the Windows agreement (I think it’s the installation wizard??). When I pressed that I accept the terms and conditions it then asks for my Windows registration number?? I don’t have this, as this computer was my dad’s old computer, although I have the disc. If I don’t accept the terms and conditions of the wizard it shuts down and then when I restart the same ‘wizard’ appears. This is the only option I am given (no desk-top or anything). Any suggestions on what I can do or what has gone on here? Surely I haven’t deleted my Windows software have I???? It seems very strange to me as the operations (ie the deleting internet history etc and the odd file) that I did I have done numerous times before without any problems? I’m running Windows 98 (2nd edition) on Pentium two processor. Any help or advice would be so helpful. Steve

Try retrieving your ProductKey by starting into DOS (F8, Command prompt only). See the information provided at http://computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/159309.html. There are several offerings in that post. If you have not deleted your C:\Windows folder then response #5 is pretty straight forward. HTH Bryan

From your description, it sounds like you might have an OEM system. What is the make (Dell, HP, IBM, etc)? It will make a difference on what you need to do to recover.

If you are sure that you didn't delete any system file, it is possible that the crash and your current problems are unrelated. Try booting to 'command prompt only' (F8 key after the memory check) once there type 'scanreg /restore' and press enter. This will give you a list of recent registry restore points. The newest one should work.