PC Keeps Restarting

[ajbrun]

I've been attempting to share files across two computers using a router. I came across the following site when searching the forums on information on how to do this:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/...rint_share.htm

Basically, I created that file called "lmhosts", and put it in the windows directory of both computers like it said. After doing that, I restarted both, again like it said, but one computer then went on a restart loop. Basically, it gets to the bit where you see the windows 98 logo, and then restarts itself.

I've been able to acess safe mode however. The first thing I did that to delete that file I put in, and restart the computer. That hasn't worked, so I'm not left with a PC that continually restarts and will only acess safe mode.

Please note though that just because I put in that file immediatly before all this happened, doesn't mean that was the cause. I'd been trying many settings to get the file/printer sharing to work, so could another option have caused this?

I'd be so grateful for any help - I've made a right mess .

Also note that I've done EXACTLY the same things that I've done on the windows 98 computer to this XP machine, and this one works fine, so I'm VERY confused .

[Daymonkey]

could you not have just done a network setup wizard. Make sure they are both on the same workgroup aswell.

[ajbrun]

It did try and do that - a few times infact. But it didn't work, so I gave up and looked elsewhere for information. I was pretty certain there's be a link on here somewhere to something telling me how to do it, so I found it and tried it out.

I'm pretty sure I tried the network thing immediatly before this other thing.

Deckard's been very kind and PMed me info on how to network (thanks Deck ), so I don't think I need anymore information on how to network, just how to get back onto windows without using safemode.

[Thorsson]

Can you go into safemode and remove all the things to do with networks - both the "software" (drivers etc) and the hardware? (Can't remember 98 too well).

I feel sure that your network setup is what's causing the problem.

[ajbrun]

I've already removed everything to do with nextworks and changed any settings back to what they were.

[ajbrun]

Right now, I'm thinking that I need to replace some system files or something to make it start. I'm pretty sure a startup disk can do this, but I don't know how. If someone could explain, I'd like to try. Thanks .

EDIT (don't like posting too much!)
I've just been reading a website, and it said that there should be a "boot.ini" file in the C: drive. However, I can't find this file on the windows 98 machine at all, yet it is on my XO machine that works. Is the file supposed to be there?

I'm now guessing that it is this that's causing the problem. Would it br OK to just download another boot.ini from the net, or does it have to be specific to my machine?

[Nick]

boot.ini is specific to your machine... do a repair of 98 using your 98 disk.

[ajbrun]

Thought that might be the case. I've already tried to do a repair. There's a feature called "smart restore" in the start menu. This looks for "master disk 1", and repairs the computer. However, I can't access that because the CD drives aren't avaliable in safe mode.

I can however access a reformat option from the disk when I use the disk in DOS. The only options there seem to wipe out the whole PC and start from scratch. I'm guessing that if I knew the path for the smart restore, I could use it in DOS.

Incase you're wondering/need to know, it's a packard bell PC .

EDIT - I think I found the path - restore.exe. But it won't load. It keeps saying bad command or file name.

This is what I typed:
I navigated to the correct foler with CD command.
Then I typed: win32 restore.exe

Is what I did right?

[ajbrun]

Could this be a hardware error that just coincided with my network thing?

[Nick]

Well, its pretty unusual for fiddling with networky things to kill a PC...

However, if you mistakenly deleted something important,...

When I wrote you that stuff in the PM, didn't realise that one was a Win98 machine... but there's nothing in there that'd kill it.

Now, am wondering why you can't get CD access in Safe mode, been a loooong time since Win98 for me, so I can't remember, but I thought you did have CD drive in safe mode?

Buuut, how about instead of safemode, doing a step-by-step boot with you confirming each step? Might give you a clue as to what makes it fall over? I'm guessing it'll die as soon as you load whatever it is that is busted, yes?

[ajbrun]

Unless it's just me (can someone please back me up), I can't get into the CD drive in safe mode.

[ajbrun]

OK then, is it possible to download a new "win.com" file in the windows folder? It says ours might be corrupted.

Also, can some kind windows 98 user please post what they have in their "autoexec" file in their C: drive.

Thanks

[Nick]

autoexec is machine specific, I'm afraid. It's basically a list of commands to load various drivers on start-up, as the drivers will be for specific bits of hardware, the file will be pretty much unique to your machine.

Try to boot into DOS / Command prompt when the safe mode menu appears and type in scanreg /restore to restore to an old registry... that might work...

or... in DOS, copy across the contents of the Win98 cd to your hard rive, then boot into safe mode and run it from the saved file on your HDD... gotta be worth a try, cos otherwise it looks like you're looking at a re-install...

[ajbrun]

Well you know you said go through each command until you get to the error?

Well, the last commant before it restarted was this (these are also in autoexec.bat):
CALL C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM /c start "Q:\readme.pdf"
(I clicked yes to that)
C:\WINDOWS\WIN.COM /WX
(IIRC, at that point some error came up like "corruption" or something)

* I haven't a clue why anything would be pointing to the Q drive at that's our secondary CD drive. How can it point to a readme file in the Q drive (ie on a disk) when whatever disk that file came from isn't always in?

* I know win.com is the thing that starts windows, so it's reasonable to assume it's this that's the problem. Could I just download another one of them?

*****************************
BACKUP PLAN:
If I can't get it working, I'll probably try this:

1. Take HDD out of that PC and into mine as secondary
2. Back up all necessary files onto my primary HDD
3. Reinstall windows 98 onto the old HDD (don't think that deletes files, but they're backed up anyway)
4. If that doesn't work, reformat.

[Thorsson]

I feel pretty sure 98 doesn't allow CDs in safe mode. What you need is a Win98 boot floppy with DOS ATAPI drivers on. Boot that, then you get access to the Win98 CD and do a repair, or if that doesn't work, a clean install will be necessary.

Is your 98 plain 98 or Second Edition?

[ajbrun]

I think it's just plain 98, but I could be wrong.

I'll have a search for a boot floppy with DOS ATAPI drivers on, but I've not come across any yet.

Thanks for the help guys.