Hello, followed some great advice on spyware and firewall etc. Found 500+ critical errors and 1 virus.

Only problem is im left with an unstable system - slow to start up, crashes especiall when on web, struggles to shutdown.

Is there something i could do or should i just wipe and re install
(this machine is just my web pc and the kids use it to draw pictures etc so its no great task)

Thanks in advance for any advice
Dave

You can try running SFC (System File Checker) to check and replace damaged system files. However, first check out the caution information regarding same here.

thanks for the reply Dan. have tried sfc and only found 1 corrupt file - rarv1032.dll tried to re install from cd but file could not be found on cd, searched cd manually and file not on cd. could it belong to something else.

Cheers
Dave

Win98 First Edition CD
RARV1032 DLL 98,304 05-11-98 8:01p = %CDROM%:\WIN98\WIN98_56.CAB

This file (used by a large number of programs) doesn't appear to be on the 98SE CD. I do have it on my system (98SE) but the file date is 08/11/98, which is pre 98SE files. So it was probably loaded with some application I loaded. (It was found embedded in %CDROM%\TOOLS\RESKIT\DIAGNOSE\WIN98.MFI.)

I did find a site that provides downloads of the file here. Try downloading the file, (it should go into c:\windows\system) and post back with the developments.

I can also extract the file from my 98FE CD and upload it to my webspace for you to download if need be.

Ive downloaded the file as suggested and initially the system booted up a bit quicker but had terrible problems with browser, had to re start twice before i could access any sites after home page had loaded. Ingnoring the general system and concentrating on browser now is there a way of checking these files etc.
ps thanks for your invaluable assistance.
Dvae

If you're using Internet Explorer; Open Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. Scroll down to MS IE X.x. Click Add/Remove. You should get a sub-menu offering an IE repair function. Try that first.

If the repair utility is not there, Start, Run, type in msinfo32. The repair function should be listed under Tools on the menu bar.

If you're using another browser, try reinstalling it.

If you want to reinstall, try it "over the top" first. You'll need your 98 CD and the Product Key for it. (I usually perform this right from DOS so Windows is not running. Start the machine with a 98 bootdisk* (choosing "With CDROM Support") and run SETUP from the CD.)

The install will find the original install and want to install to C:\WINDOWS.000. At this point redirect the install to C:\WINDOWS. This is important as you'll end up with two installs of Windows if it's not redirected. This should preserve any settings/software currently installed.

bootdisk*
This file must be RUN to CREATE a bootdisk on one of your floppies. Download the file, place it somewhere convenient (Desktop?), place a floppy in your A: drive, and click on the file to run it. Do not just copy the file to a floppy.

Keep us posted as to your efforts/results.

So far so good, not frozen yet. I'll let the kids play around or even worse my wife and see how it goes

Thanks Dan
Best wishes
Dave

Did you repair IE, or do an "over the top" reinstall of the O/S?

Ran the IE repair - still working ok to date.

Great to hear. Thanks for posting back.