[Blue_J]

Thanks for your site. I've been reading your threads and they are really helpful!

For me, today was one of those days when I should never have gotten out of bed ... Started the day fine, computer started and worked well (first time I have had this one going in ages, has always been reliable though. Just a few basic application error messages on the screen, ie. file missing in Microsoft Calendar etc. Never use Calendar so just deleted the program.

Basically, my current problem (Problem No. 1) right now is that Win98Se is only operating in Safe Mode (which I have selected on Startup myself), that is, the icons on the desktop only work in Safe Mode and can't open the Start Menu either on a proper start-up.

If I allow the computer to start itself it does so fine (I might ad without the usual start up melody which also stopped during all this ~ I have an internal sound card in the PC) and the first thing that happens is I receive a box saying "New Hardware Found" PCI Multimedia HW Device" and then it goes to the Add New Hardware Wizard and asks for a new driver for it. I have tried putting in my Win98 Solution Disk but it spins in the drive but does not do any more than that!

Note: I have not added any new hardware. I added a Karaoke program when I first started up (from disk) and did plug in some external speakers for a short time but both were working fine. What did come to my attention is that my LG Cyberlink CD/DVD-RW had a file error when I tried to open it to see if it was working. I tried reinstalling the software and have since deleted it completely as I thought it was the cause of some of my other problems but now can't seem to get the software to re-instal. This is problem No. 2. I have the original disk. I thought that I needed this software to be reinstalled so that the Dell Solution Disk would work. I do actually need this to work. I am not sure that it is working or not as disks spin in there. I could test it by looking at some pics stored on CD? But the software is definately not to be found on my PC.

Note: this PC also has a CD Rom Drive but it does not open nor have any lights so I don't think it works and never use it.
I also updated Windows Media Player 9 and this originally had an error message but then worked fine when I tested it a second time. Ohh the joys of working with Win98 or is it just me???. I also experienced several "internet explorer" errors which told me they would send an error report and that I had to shut down and restart my computer.

So Im wondering if this PCI Multimedia Audio Device Driver issue is somehow affecting the operation of my PC. Or maybe the sound card? Or these other error messages?

I also have an error saying ICON.EXE missing. I have not looked into where this fits into everyting. The "Missing Shortcut" Box comes up and Windows searches and then stops. As nothing is happening I cancel this action. It wont cancel or go away so I hit control/alt/delete to see what is going on and it shows Explorer (Not Responding). There is also an unknown program doing something. Basically the computer stall at this stage and I have to keep control/alt/deleting and ending tasks but this still does not make my PC icons and Start function work again. So I end this task, Missing Shortcut Box remains on the desktop. All Icons and the Start function do not do anything if I click on them. I am going around in circles here and need some expert advice (could get in the guinness book of records for starting a PC so many times in one day trying to solve this one! If you can give me some direction, suggestions, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks Blue_J

P.S. Have also tried restoring from DOS prompt using
%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe which did not work.

Have also looked in Device Manager (in Safe Mode) and LG CD/DVD is not listed anywhere.

Can't connect to net on this PC but could download files on another (preferably not zip as a bit difficult for me) and somehow open them on this one, ie. a diagnostic program. Am also worried about losing my photos as can burn to CD but may be corrupted if I use Nero in Safe Mode.

[DoubleHelix]

If you have data on the drive that you want to save, that should be your first priority. Stop messing around with restores, reinstalls, or any other type of system activity. Since you can't use a CD burner and probably can't even use a USB flash drive in Safe Mode, your only option is to get a USB drive enclosure, and take the hard drive out and connect it to another computer to copy everything off.

[Blue_J]

Thanks for your advice DH but have solved the problem myself with a lottttt of perseverance and actually in the end by reading another thread on your site and a comment posted by a RENEHG who mentioned the "scanreg/restore" command in DOS. I knew you could restore from DOS in WinME if you could not start up to get to Windows but could not find one for 98. In worked!!! Once things were running again in normal mode was able to reinstal DVD/CD software but realise InCD does not always work on Win98 (it froze up my desktop again! and had to uninstal this part of the software only, everything else works fine.
Now just sorting out my Works2000 error and trying to find somewhere to download a driver for my soundcard. Will also instal the Virus checker again as a virus could be parasiting my files.

I hope this thread helps others. Will start a new thread for these two other things. Thanks again for your site ... its awesome!