First, don't panic lest you make things worse. Here is the procedure to restore the previous registry (before Nero was installed): 1. Start your computer, press and hold CTRL, and then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Windows 98 Startup menu. 2. At the MS-DOS prompt, type cd\windows\command, and then press ENTER. 3. At the C: prompt, type scanreg /restore, and then press ENTER. 4. Select the previous registry you want to restore, and then press ENTER. This will be just before Nero was installed; but the item you select should have the word "Started" next to it. 5. When you receive notification that you restored a properly working registry, press ENTER to restart your computer. Please post back and let me know if this worked or not.

First,

Thanks, Osprey.

Well, I installed a couple of different registry backups but the result was the same. Blue screen.

Please post the exact blue screen error.

I presume you already tried to uninstall Nero.

Yes, uninstalled Nero. It appears to have changed something at the System level which doesn't get reset with an uninstall.

Blue Screen:

"An exception OE has occurred at 0028:C00495B8 in VxD VFAT(01) + 00007838. This was called from 0028:C18341E0 in VxD voltrack(04) + 00000430. It may be possible to continue normally etc."

This appears to describe your problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256015

I suggest your download and run the fix they list for Windows 98.

Please check in Safe Mode/ RUN/MSCONFIG/startup to see if any unwanted components are running and uncheck them.  Have you restored the"changes" you made with your install?  Are you running the latest MS security update?  Uncheck it if you are and then remove it.

Osprey: Finally tracked down and bought a portable floppy drive and tried your MS fix ... but it changed nothing.

Paindoc: How do I check "RUN/MSCONFIG/startup"? Also, using Ace Utilities, there are no startup items that I haven't been using okay. As regards system software, I've installed no security updates (running Win98SE 4.10.2222 A

Thank you.

pab1953:  To open this area, Press Start, then select Run from the menue on the left.  A box will open.  Type msconfig and ok.  Select the startup tab.  Do not delete anything, but uncheck non essential items.  In particular, uncheck KB891711 if it is listed.  A list of others may be viewed at Denny Denham's site: http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Tweekz.htm

BULLETIN *** PROBLEM SOLVED ***

How? By complaining very noisily to Nero's PR firm about what crummy support the company (Ahead Software) offers and how if I ever had to review the product (I'm a journalist) it would get a major league thumbs down. But why should I have to scream and stamp my feet and make threats to get tech support to respond?! I shouldn't, should I.

Turns out that this poorly designed piece of software doesn't uninstall all of itself when you think it has. It leaves one piece behind which when uninstalled frees your PC from its shackles.

Thank you to you and Osprey for your help. As much as the "support" offered by such as Ahead causes dismay, the support offered by the everyday folks in the Net community is a priceless resource.