Repairing Windows 98 Installation

While you can run Windows Setup and reinstall "over the top" of the current installation, and it will probably result in a usable system, it *won't* probably be a satisfactory solution. Reinstalling "over the top" of an up-to-date Windows 98 replaces many newer system files with older versions. In other words, many of the updates, patches, plus applications, etc., will also require reinstallation.

A much better solution, *if* reinstalling Windows is actually called for, is to reformat the drive and start over. Wipe the slate clean. The amount of work involved isn't much more, and the result is a "known quantity."

However! If you can provide more specific information, like the *exact* wording of any error messages, plus any recall of what was "uninstalled" and how it was "uninstalled (using Add/Remove Programs or what?), we might be able to remedy this situation more easily. Also, can you get into Safe Mode? Hold down or repeatedly press the Ctrl key (or F8) as the machine is starting up, until you see a "Startup Menu". Choose Safe Mode. Knowing if that works will help with the diagnosis.

Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

"Theresa F." <Theresa wrote in message news:

A friend was uninstalling some programs (old stuff that she never uses as
well as some unwanted stuff that was left behind by a housesitter) on my
mom's computer. When she rebooted she got the error message: windows could
not upgrade the file...then, nothing. She restored the registry but is
wondering - can she repair the 98 installation?

Thanks very much. I have shared this with my friend and she will create her
own posting if she has any more questions.

You guys are really great, THANKS for being there for us!
Theresa

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

While you can run Windows Setup and reinstall "over the top" of the current installation, and it will probably result in a usable system, it *won't* probably be a satisfactory solution. Reinstalling "over the top" of an up-to-date Windows 98 replaces many newer system files with older versions. In other words, many of the updates, patches, plus applications, etc., will also require reinstallation.

A much better solution, *if* reinstalling Windows is actually called for, is to reformat the drive and start over. Wipe the slate clean. The amount of work involved isn't much more, and the result is a "known quantity."

However! If you can provide more specific information, like the *exact* wording of any error messages, plus any recall of what was "uninstalled" and how it was "uninstalled (using Add/Remove Programs or what?), we might be able to remedy this situation more easily. Also, can you get into Safe Mode? Hold down or repeatedly press the Ctrl key (or F8) as the machine is starting up, until you see a "Startup Menu". Choose Safe Mode. Knowing if that works will help with the diagnosis.

Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User

"Theresa F." <Theresa wrote in message news:
> A friend was uninstalling some programs (old stuff that she never uses as
> well as some unwanted stuff that was left behind by a housesitter) on my
> mom's computer. When she rebooted she got the error message: windows could
> not upgrade the file...then, nothing. She restored the registry but is
> wondering - can she repair the 98 installation?