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Windows 98 freezes during boot up

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10 replies

by rmdecal

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My HP running Windows 98 OS can't boot up in normal mode. It freezes/ hangs up. But it can boot up on safe mode. What seems to be causing the problem? What will I do?

10 replies

by thechas

Since you can boot into safe mode, the first 2 steps are;

See if it is a video problem. While in safe mode, set display properties to 16 color and 640*480 resolution.
Reboot.
If you can now boot up, you have a video driver error / conflict.If not video, boot into safe mode.
From the run dialog box, run msconfig.
On the startup tab, deselect all startup programs.
On the general tab, make sure selective startup is enabled, and click apply.
Reboot.
If it now boots, one of your startup programs is the culprit.
Re-enable the startup programs one at a time until you find the program that causes the problem.
Then either remove it from startup, or re-install the program.

If the PC still doesn't boot, go back to safe mode, and enable diagnostic mode in msconfig.
You can then install the device drivers one at a time to identify which device driver is causing the problem.

Did you recently add some hardware, or software?
That is often a good clue when the system locks up at boot.

by blackcurrant

Hi

Try looking at Microsoft Knowledgebase article Q188867. This details how to identify and remedy startup problems in Win98.

Hope this helps

by geo.val

13.03.02
I too have this very same problem and have had it for some considerable time. I ddecline to use Safe Mode though, instead I tell it to use Normal Mode and then it usually goes ok. One thing I have noticed, - if the Windows swap is larger when I shut down than it was when I started up, then it won't go next time. If it is smaller on shutdown than when I started, then it WILL go next time. Norton System Doctor tells me this. If I leave the computer idle for 15 minutes before shutting down this usually saves the day, any comments from anyone?

by geo.val

Further to the above, following on from the first answer, I went to MSConfig, Start Menu, and rather than uncheck everything, I started by unchecking all the items that I considered I did not need or want, and Hey Presto!, my problem has gone away. It's worth a try, it worked for me!
geo.val@btopenworld.com

by dcosgrove

Well, I just have to echo the other people on this topic. I have seen several machine from HP using the Nvidia Vanta card have trouble with drivers, especially the detonator drivers which should work fine with that card. If this is indeed your card, it is an asus board and the drivers offered from the asus web page seem to work OK. I personally changed the card in mine to an ATI.

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