missing files in win 98 se

[copperfish2000]

i have installed win 98 se ... { tried 3 times } and still have missing files ... msvcrt.dll linked to missing msvcirt.dll ... and also error message ... "files replaced by older versions" and windows cannot repair as files are in use ... also somehow lost java chat ability ... really am quite lost and obviously relatively new to computers ... any help will be appreciated ... thnx

[oink]

Sounds like you need to do a clean install. From a Win98 floppy boot disk with cdrom support, format the C: drive (I would fdisk first), then make a new win98 directory on the newly formated C: drive and copy the win98 install files to it. Then run install from there. It would help to have all drivers ready beforehand. It may be worthwhile before you format to go into device manager and see what it shows for devices. It might make it easier to figure out what hardware you will need drivers for that way. Especially note the modem, sound card, video and network card.

[copperfish2000]

thnx for answering oink, ... i have a year's worth of photos documenting the building of a 2 million dollar riding arena and no burner to save to a cd, so i am hesitant to reformat as i will lose everything won't I? ... I got this computer with a home study course and the disk that came with it says reformating will wipe the disc clean ...

[oink]

Get a 2nd hard drive. Temporairily remove your original hard drive (just pull the cable, you don't have to physically remove it). Install the second drive (can be had cheap on sale) Install windows to the new drive. Install the original drive as a slave. Copy everything you want from the old drive to the new drive, then wipe the old drive and use for backup etc.

[copperfish2000]

thnx oink ... that sounds like the cheapest way to go although i have never gotten into the guts of my machine it sounds like i could manage that ... also as i am disabled and literally penniless it's my only choice ... i appreciate the help ... dave Get a 2nd hard drive. Temporairily remove your original hard drive (just pull the cable, you don't have to physically remove it). Install the second drive (can be had cheap on sale) Install windows to the new drive. Install the original drive as a slave. Copy everything you want from the old drive to the new drive, then wipe the old drive and use for backup etc.

[Murf]

DOES IT BOOT UP INTO WINDOWS???

[copperfish2000]

yes it does boot up ... just can't get into my corel draw suite unless i search for the "msvcrt.dll ", then double click on it and choose corel draw or photo house to open with and it works ok ... i think oink's idea to get another hard drive, using the origional as a slave, then transfer the files i want to save and reformat ... this should fix the problems i think ... thnx murfDOES IT BOOT UP INTO WINDOWS???