Hi,

 

That doesn't sound good. It's like the problem lies with some system files. I wouldn't even fool with it. System files can be a messy business. This happened to me long time ago and here's what I did:

 

1. Can you access your hard drive? If yes backup your important files like documents, pictures etc. to an external media like ZIP, CD or even better second hard drive (internal or external). Hard drives are more reliable (ZIP,CDs are not).

 

2. Make sure that you have all the drivers for your system and for the OS you will install, software CDs (Word, Publisher etc.) and the Win98 or XP CD. And just to be on the safe side check your backed up files before you proceed with formating.

 

3. Format C drive and re-install windows. Put back all the programs on and restore your files from backup.

 

That's gonna solve your problem plus the system should run smoother after clean installation. And probably is gonna take you less time to re-format the hard drive than to fix the system files.

 

Good luck.

likry,

 

Do NOT try to run Win98 CD while you're in the Windows. Instead try this:

 

1. Go to the BIOS settings and set boot sequence to boot first from floppy. Before you hit " Save and Exit" put Win98 bootdisk in. Now you can save your changes and exit the BIOS. If you don't have a bootdisk a good place to get one is http://www.bootdisk.com/ choose the one for you OS. They have excellent bootdisks.

 

2. While you boot from bootdisk some boot options will be given to you. Choose the one with CD support. After a while you should be seeing command prompt like so: A:\>

 

3. Before you start formatting use the fdisk command (just type fdisk and hit enter) just in case you have any partitions on your harddrive. If you do get rid of them.

 

4. Now you can start formatting. Type format c: /s (the " s" parameter will transfer some system files on to your harddrive, this way you will be able to boot from your harddrive even without Windows) and hit enter.

 

5. After formatting is done remove the bootdisk, reboot, go back to BIOS and switch back the boot sequence to boot from harddrive first.

 

6. Now the command prompt should look like this: C:\> so put the Win98 CD in and type e: (whatever is the letter of your CD drive and usually is e: because d: is a temporary virtual drive unless you have more than one harddrives) and hit enter.

 

7. Command prompt will now look like this: E:\> Now type cd win98 and hit enter.

 

8. With command prompt looking like this: E:\win98> type setup and hit enter again. The Windows setup should start. Follow the instructions on the screen.

 

Of course you could boot from Win98 CD but I've heard that sometimes it doesn't work right plus I don't remember Win98 CD having fdisk command included.

 

Good luck.