Non-destructive repair of Windows 98SE

[rpolsdorfer]

I need to run a non-destructive repair of Windows 98SE. How do I do it? It used to work, but now, when I run SETUP from my 98SE Upgrade disk I get the message: "Setup does not have enough conventional memory to check your computer's hard disks" no matter how few programs are running, not when I delete all the startup items from selective startup in msconfig, not when running in Safe Mode.

When I run setup from a boot floppy with 98SE CD support I get: "Cannot create a temporary directory"

Thanks, Ricker

[renegade600]

how big is the harddrive and how much space is available on it?

[rpolsdorfer]

20 GB of which 8.5 is filled and 11.5 is free. (Sory I'm late. Couldn't log in yesterday for some reason.)
P.S. I get the same insufficient memory message trying to run Scandisk or Defrag from Windows.

[Bad Dog]

You must have had some indication of a problem wanting to overlay your 98. Run all you scans...spybot, adaware, updated virus scans, etc.
Run Spider, if you have it, or delete all temps, history, IE temps, etc.
Boot system up with selective startup and load programs unchecked.
While you're down there, run dos scandisk and see if same prob.
Install CD. Does it autorun?
Choose setup. Same?
I never ran this from an upgrade disk but you said it's worked and so be it.
Let us know.
BD

[rpolsdorfer]

Many thanks. That's a load of work. I'll getback to this thread when I have done it all.
By the way, the Windows 98SE upgrade CD does not run autorun, and I may be mistaken that it has done so in the past. But I do recall that I have seen the REPAIR option in the past somewhere.

[Bad Dog]

Possibly add/remove programs and repair internet explorer option?
That repair comes first to mind.

After all above is done:
If CD doesn't autorun, you know this, but open My Computer and click on CD.
When CD windows comes up, choose browse this CD and setup will be right there. Or, open CD from windows explorer and open CD and you'll see setup there also amongst the files.

Ben so long since I've messed with an upgrade, I can't remember is all this applies. I hope it helps.
Good luck.
BD

[rpolsdorfer]

Well, I've done or attempted every suggestion and I still get the same messages trying to repair 98SE -- "insufficient memory" when loading from a Windows boot or "cannot create a temporary memory" when booting from a floppy. The 98SE CD will still not autoboot. Scandisk will run from DOS or from boot when I have to shut down ("improperly") from a not infrequent crash.

[Murf]

Windows 98SE upgrade CD

Can only be run within Windows, will not run from DOS.

Have you tried SFC START RUN type in SFC check for altered corrupt files.

Out-of-memory error can be caused by TSR's :
Device drivers and memory-resident programs that load from the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files can reduce the amount of conventional memory available for MS-DOS-based programs. Increasing the amount of conventional memory that is available for MS-DOS-based programs typically involves removing unnecessary drivers and programs from the Config.sys or Autoexec.bat files, replacing real-mode drivers in the Config.sys file with protected-mode versions, or loading drivers and programs into upper memory instead of conventional memory.

Using Notepad open up the config.sys file: Add the following lines if not there:

device=c:\windows\himem.sys
device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
dos=high,umb
devicehigh=c:\windows\command\drvspace.sys /move

Save as config.sys and exit.

Reboot and try...

However, I am confused, if you are using a Windows 98 UPGRADE cd, then it must be run within Windows.

Under the Windows/Temp folder (directory) make sure it is EMPTY before reinstalling/repair.

You can always copy the cd to your hard drive and run it from there.

[rpolsdorfer]

I changed config.sys to the recommended 4 commands and ran SFC -- a terrific utility. It found and repaired 8 corrupted *.dll files: mssign32, mscat32, cryptui, cryptnet, crypttext, setupx, mssip32 and msoss. But the problems still exist -- no change. Still unable to run the repair version of 98SE installation. It won't run from the HDD either.

[Murf]

When you put the 98 upgrade cd in, can you navigate to the setup.exe file and double click on it?