I have a computer with windows 98, it was given to me and there seem to be some registry files missing which is not allowing me to download some programs or install a NIC card for my cable modem. I have a windows 98 boot disk (not a startup disk) it came with the computer and it is a floppy. When I try to use it (by shutting down, inserting disk, and turning comp back on) it shows a setup for you to enter a command. I am not sure what command to enter to fix the problem or if it even will. So my question is will it work? If so what command do I type and if not how can i repair the problem?

I don't know off the top of my head whether you can run a registry fixer from the DOS prompt (the black screen you got to that said A:> ) but that might not actually be the answer.

What makes you think it's a registry problem? What errors or problems do you encounter when you try to download software from the Internet (or do you mean you have problems when you try to install software?) ?

Is there any security (i.e. different usernames) installed on this PC or does it just go straight to the desktop icons when you switch on the PC without asking you for a username and password?

Also, could you confirm that this PC is not on a network?

Thanks

I know that it is a registry problem because when I start up the computer it tells me that the registry file SYSTEM.INI is missing and certain programs need that to run. It also tells me this when I try to install certain software. No, the computer is not set up on a network though, I do believe that it can be.

Hmmm. System.ini isn't a registry file, it's a system file . Have you checked to see whether it really is missing from your PC? If you go into Windows Explorer, you could take a look for it in C:\Windows and in C:\Windows\System.

If it's there, open it up. Should be approximately 30 or so entries in it.

If it's not there, you could try bodging it by getting a System.ini file from another Windows 98 PC with similar software but I don't think that would work too well. Sounds like a "format and re-install everything" kind of a job to me

Anyway, let us know how you get on with looking for the System.ini file on the C: drive

If you can't find the System.ini file, we could look at running Scanreg, which apparently restores a copy of the System.ini and Win.ini files at the same time as fixing registry problems.