My windows 98 will not start up its says it doesn't have enough virtual memory and gives me 4 or 5 options i think
What are the 4 to 5 options? how much memory do you have installed on the machine?
like safe mode, normale made, command prompt only, logged (bootlox..txt) and safe mode with command prompt
not sure about he memory but i know its got about less then a 100mb free
Has this machine ever worked? can you boot into safe mode?
have you made any changes to it since it worked?
Can you try to remove the memory modules and reseat them onto the motherboard? im assuming it is a desktop machine and not a laptop right?
yes its worked for a long time and no i cant boot into safe mode it says insufficient memory to initialize windows and some other stuff about deleting files and im not sure about changes like i did get ram pu tin but it was rreally parents computer also i dont know about remove the memory modules and reseat them onto the motherboard.
So are you saying "Virtual Memory" is not mentioned after all? We need exact error messages - "stuff about deleting files" doesn't tell us anything. Here are some pictures showing how to install RAM:
http://www.build-your-own-computer-...
Take out each RAM stick, clean the edge connectors with a pencil eraser, then pop the stick in and out a few times to clear any oxide off the socket. Finally press the RAM firmly home.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
First of all try cleaning the RAM edge connectors and reseating it, as already given. If that doesn't help it might be that there is something weird in either the autoexec.bat or config.sys file. Unless you play games in "True DOS" neither of these are required for Windows. I suggest you disable them like this:
From Command Prompt (screen with Safe Mode on it) type these two commands, ending each line with the Enter key:
ren c:\autoexec.bat autoexec.old
ren c:\config.sys config.old
This renaming (to "old") puts them out of action. See if this helps.
If for any reason you want them back, rename them using these commands:
ren c:\autoexec.old autoexec.bat
ren c:\config.old config.sys
Type all comand lines "exactly" as written (complete with the two spaces).
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
I took out both ram and cleaned the edge connecters with the eraser and also did both commands and it said file not found for both and still is at the sames screen.
Obviously they are not there - that's fine. Try this workaround:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/184447The sytem.ini file has a list of lines, each one under a bracketted heading.
You have to add this entry anywhere under [386Enh] and ensure that it looks neat, with individual lines, when finished. It should be clear enough when you try to do it.If you want to backup your system.ini file first before you attack it, then do this from DOS:
copy c:\system.ini c:\system.wft
This makes another copy bearing an invalid extension based on using the first bit of your wftw420. It will do nothing - just a backup.If you want the orginal back again because you goofed the edit (or any other reason) then do this:
copy c:\system.wft c:\system.iniTo delete the wft backup file when finished do this:
del c:\system.wftAlways pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
lol it sounds really confusing do you think you could explain it a little more?
You mean the MS stuff? I've had a look and can't really think of a better way of explaining it.
Best bet is to make start and see if/where you get stuck.
First backup system.ini to be on the safe side, like this:
Select Command Prompt (rather than Safe Mode).
On the black screen that arrives type this:
copy c:\windows\system.ini c:\windows\system.wft
Make sure it is "exactly" right - including the two spaces then hit Enter key.
You should get something along the lines "1 file copied".If so, you can then proceed to the MS stuff.
From the same screen type:
cd windows (then hit Enter key).Next type:
edit system.ini (and hit Enter).You should get a blue screen with the name System.ini at the top and a stack of white writing. If so then you have to scroll down to where it says [386Enh] and put your new line underneath it.
This is where it might get a tad tricky because you might not have a mouse. You can edit using the keyboard but if you get stuck then just close the screen without saving and we'll try to go through it step by step. Nothing will have changed and we can have another go.
For my information, can you tell me how much RAM you have installed? If it's more than 512M that could be the issue and there might be a simpler way forward, although it would be odd if your computer has only just got snotty about it.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
When you turn it on watch the posting screen and see if it shows the ram--you may need to hit the PAUSE key if it scrolls by too fast. Or go into cmos/bios setup. It probably shows the ram there.
file not found - c:\system.ini
0 file{s} copied
It's c:\windows\system.ini What about the ram? How much do you have?
Geez, I must have been having a bad day - of-course system.ini is in Windows. wftw420
Very sorry about that goof - and there was me telling you to make sure you got it right. I've amended my #11 (the bold bits) so it should work now.Yes we do need to know how much RAM you have.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
Did you mess with the virtual memory settings? Is it possible your hard drive is almost full?
i think it was nearlly full and there was hardley anythink on it could figure out was was takink up space and i also copied the file fine and i went into it but no white writing
http://s10.postimage.org/ay3d1vhrt/...
http://s18.postimage.org/aeyyryhp5/...
http://s16.postimage.org/81sgtl2qt/...
Please read my #16. It should have said c:\windows\system.ini so it is not finding the system.ini file. As I said, I've amended my #11 so if you use that again it should now work. Also we asked how much RAM you have.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
"i think it was nearlly full" Virtual memory is space on the hard drive. If the drive is almost full, there's not enough virtual memory, therefore the error. Start deleting & uninstalling stuff you don't need. When's the last time you cleared out your temp files?
Here's the last version of CCleaner that worked with Win98:
Re #20
The poster can't start Windows in either Normal or Safe Mode to install CCleaner.
I doubt it would install via DOS (even if the poster has room for it).wftw420
Unless you have an excessive amount of RAM then the system.ini modifications MS suggested won't help. That's one reason why I keep asking how much RAM you have.Maybe the hard disk is full, or very nearly, and this has caused Windows to glitch. You might end up having to re-install Windows (if you have a W98 disk) but then you would lose any important documents or pictures.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
ive tried re-installing windows and it gets 100% through and restarts and either says insufficient memory or its at the boot screen and its had ram installed before and isn't this the ram?
http://s11.postimage.org/4mt0d7vib/...
just realized what you said in 11 and did it but dont know how to save it
http://s10.postimage.org/hj5dplabt/...
How much RAM have you got? Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
how do i check?
Aha, kinda hoped you might know. See post #12 which might help. The other way is to go into BIOS, it should be there somewhere. Computers vary but if you watch the screen it might say how to get to "Startup" or similar. It is usually a case of tapping some key during boot, often the Del key, or it could be an F key such as F2.
If you make it to BIOS it's just a matter of clicking around the menus until you find it. When fiished, "Exit without saving".
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
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