[JSntgRvr]

There are many things in your computer that have gone wrong. The absence of Explorer in the System.ini file among others. Seems that Explorer is corrupted and there is only one way to restore it, reinstalling the Operating System. Explorer is a crucial part of Windows.

To reinstall the Operating System you will need to obtain the Certificate of Authenticity. Run Regedit and browse to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Highlight CurrentVersion and look at the right pane. Double click on ProductKey. The value is your Certificate of Authenticity. Without it, Windows will not install.

You mentioned before you had no access to your CD_ROM. It will be a good idea to copy the contents of the Windows Installation CD into a folder in the computer. For example, you can create a folder in C: as CABS. It will appear in the hard drive as C:\CABS.

If this is possible, once you have copied the contents of the Windows Installation CD, restart the computer and press F8 during startup. This will bring you to the Startup Menu. Select Safe Mode Command Prompt Only.

At the prompt type the following pressing Enter after each line:

C:
cd\
cd CABS
Setup

Then you just have to follow the instructions on screen for installation. this process will not erase any data in the computer. Just the operating System will be reinstalling.

If copying the contents of the Windows Installation CD into the hard drive is not possible, then you will need a Windows 98 startup diskette to boot the computer. This will bring you at the Startup Menu. This time you will need to select Command prompt with CD Support. A letter will be assigned to your CD_ROM since it will be running with generic drivers. The letter could be any, D:, or E:. Most likely will be E:, since a RAMDRIVE will be mapped in D:. You will be notify which letter will be assigned on screen.

At the prompt type the letter assigned to the CD_ROM, following with a colon, then the word SETUP. For example:

E:SETUP

Press Enter and follow instructions on screen. This process also will not erase any data in the computer.

If the above processes fail, then you will need to reformat. This time everything in the hard drive will be erased. The process is as follows:

Disconnect all external devices from the computer. Only the Mouse, Keyboard and Monitor should be connected. Boot the computer with a startup diskette. At the Menu select Command prompt with CD support. Again, a letter will be assigned to the CD_ROM. At the prompt type:

Format C:

Press Enter. The hard drive will be formated and erased. Press Enter for Volume Name.

Once back at the prompt type the letter assigned to the CD_ROM, following with a colon, then with the word SETUP. For example:

E:SETUP

This will perform a clean install of Windows. After installation you will need to load all drivers and perform all installation of Devices and software.

Regretfully, once the operating system becomes corrupted, there is no other option but to reinstall.

Let me know how it goes. Best wishes!

[holstein1577]

I am thinking that perhaps my cd_rom needs replaced. When attempting to reinstall the operating system, I get this error msg: CDR101:Not ready reading drive E, Abort, Retry, Fail. By the way, the restore CD is a bootable CD. Any thoughts on this?

[JSntgRvr]

The error indicates that the CD_ROM is not being recognized. You willl need to check the BIOS and see if it is being recognized. If the BIOS is unable to recognize the drive, open the console and check for lose cables. Refresh their contact by disconnecting and reconnecting the cables (Ribbon and Power cables), then try again. If this wont help, most likely you need to replace the CD_ROM.