Sorry, I was not clear. The odim.vxd error message does not come up when running the computer in Safe Mode, however, once within windows in Safe Mode, the SHLWAPI.DLL error is still present.

Operaboy.

Have you performed an "over the top" reinstall as I suggested in #6?

If this a proprietary system, (ie; DELL, COMPAQ, HEWLETT PACKARD, GATEWAY, IBM/LENOVO, etc) that came with one or two RECOVERY CD's as opposed to a system that's been loaded with a 98 CD, POST BACK FIRST before doing this. I'll be around on and off for the next two days. DON'T do this with Recovery CD's as they usually format the hard disk partition ( C: ) before the reinstall. Thus any data you might want off of C: will be gone.

Well, my computer is an IBM that was purchased second hand with no software CDs. The hard drive had been wiped except for Windows 98SE with Internet Explorer. I do have a Win98 CD that I got from a technician friend that I have used a few times to repair the system.

Hope this information is helpful.

Thanks,

Operaboy

Have you performed an "over the top" reinstall as I suggested in #6?

I did try to do a regular install just by choosing setup from the win98 CD-ROM but still didn't get any change in the shwlapi.dll problem. Is this what you mean or is there another method you mean?

Thanks,

Operaboy.

Yes. Booting with a bootdisk and running x:\setup (where x: is your CDROM Device letter) and installing as you would a new install. (Make sure it installs to C:\WINDOWS and NOT C:\WINDOWS.000.)

As a long shot, run the IE Repair Tool.

Start, Run, msinfo32.
Click on the TOOLS tab. Click on "Internet Explorer Repair Tool".

Post your results.

Ok, doing that. I assume you mean to try the Start>Run>msinfo32 if the shwlapi.dl problem is fixed because at the moment I can't even get access to the taskbar or the Start Menu once I'm inside Windows. I'll let you know how this installation goes.

Thanks,

Operaboy.

Actually I meant if the shwlapi error is still present. (It won't hurt to run it though.) The over the top install may fix the problem. If not, and you can get to the TASKBAR, RUN area, run the repair tool.

Ok, will do. I'll let you know how I go.

Operaboy.

No luck I'm afraid. Cannot get any access to the menu/taskbar.