WIN98SE Puzzle: Windows Protection Error, Corrupt setupx.dll?

OK, here's another update. No luck with anything yet...

1. For safe keeping -- "Write-Protect" your Win98 Bootup floppy (use the physical lever in the corner to LOCK it)--> Thanks for the tip. My boot flopped was not write protected so I moved the tab.

2. Go to https://europe.f-secure.com/download...se/tools.shtml
and d/l the F-Secure Anti-Virus for DOS
create a Boot floppy and Run it on the system

Since I can't seem to access the internet from my PC I tried to download the file onto a floppy via my Mac, But when I click on the file name to download it I get a "File not found" message. I'm probably missing some simple step with that so I'll return to that later.

4. Boot to a "Command Prompt Only" and;
type in DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1\CONTENT.IE5 <enter>
type in DELTREE C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\*.* <enter>
type in DEL C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\*.* <enter>
type in DELTREE C\WINDOWS\LOCALS~1\APPLIC~1\*.* <enter>
---> I entered all of these commands to no effect. On the 3rd command I did get a "No Files Found" so perhaps I deleted those earlier.

I'd love to see your SYSTEM.INI and WIN.INI contents
--> Do a Safe Mode Boot -- Start | Run SYSEDIT
Copy and Paste each files contents here

I can't get online with the PC and I can't figure out an easy way for me to post the contents of those files short of typing everything out on my Mac. Is there some way to save those files to a floppy on the PC via a Safe Mode boot?

Check your C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files folder for Unwanted ActiveX controls and Delete them---> The only ActiveX file that looked potentially troubling was a Disney "Toontown" file that one of my kids must have loaded. I deleted that.

Start | Run MSCONFIG and choose "Startup" Tab - Disable (untick) ALL except "System Tray" and "Scan Registry" -- you will end up re-enabling whatever you unticked---> I did this and I still get the Windows protection error. Should I go back now and reset everything now?

I think the next thing I'll try is to open up the case and pull and reinstall all of the hardware.

If that doesn't work, would reinstalling Windows be a logical step?

And in the Windows install link posted by Cloned above, it seemed to be for loading Windows 98 SE over Windows 98 First Edition. Can I use the same steps to load 98SE on top of my existing 98SE?

Thanks,

Bob

you 'could' just "Disable in this Hardware Profile" in Device mangler for Each under "Other" -- see if she'll boot....I mean at this point, i would've pulled out all offending hardware and knocked the system down to basic components (Mobo/CPU/HSF + 1HDD + (optional 1CD/DVD), 1PS/2mouse + 1PS2 Keyboard + 1Monitor ...and that's it)

I suspect a Hardware issue/fault - whether or not it's a hardware config issue, i can't say -- there are a few tricks, but you might as well just do a reinstall "On top of" -- Yes, 98/98SE are 'basically' the exact same - the install and maintenance procedures are most certainly the same -- so the article does apply.

MSCONFIG trick;
General Tab --> Untick Config.sys/Autoexec.bat/Startup - so only System.ini and Win.ini are loaded - try Booting

no go - do the reverse - but still leave "Startup" unticked

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yes, knocking the system down to its basic components makes a lot of sense at this point. This has been a lot more difficult than I expected.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I4one

you 'could' just "Disable in this Hardware Profile" in Device mangler for Each under "Other" -- see if she'll boot....I mean at this point, i would've pulled out all offending hardware and knocked the system down to basic components (Mobo/CPU/HSF + 1HDD + (optional 1CD/DVD), 1PS/2mouse + 1PS2 Keyboard + 1Monitor ...and that's it)

I suspect a Hardware issue/fault - whether or not it's a hardware config issue, i can't say -- there are a few tricks, but you might as well just do a reinstall "On top of" -- Yes, 98/98SE are 'basically' the exact same - the install and maintenance procedures are most certainly the same -- so the article does apply.

MSCONFIG trick;
General Tab --> Untick Config.sys/Autoexec.bat/Startup - so only System.ini and Win.ini are loaded - try Booting

no go - do the reverse - but still leave "Startup" unticked

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Here another update with a pile of additional steps that were unsuccessful.

1. I tried the MSCONFIG steps listed above.

2. I vacuumed out dust from inside the case.

3. Since I moved the case to another room, I hooked it up to a new monitor, keyboard and mouse.

4. I pulled and re-seated my AGP GeForce 5700LE video card.

5. I pulled the 5700LE altogether and installed my previous PCI-Based Voodoo Video Card.

6. I removed the PCI-based modem.

7. I removed and re-installed both 256 MB DDR RAM sticks.

8. I tried each RAM stick individually.

9. I removed the PCI Sound Blaster Live sound card

10. I disconnected the cable to my CD Drive.

11. I disconnected the cable to my CD Burner.

12. I disconnected both the drive and the burner at the same time.

13. I disconnected my second hard drive. (The one without Windows System files.)

14. I tightened all the motherboard mounting screws.

All of the above steps were unsuccessful. I still get a Windows protection error when I attempt a Normal boot. And I'm only able to boot in Safe Mode.

At this point I'm considering a re-install of Windows. But I'm not entirely comfortable with that so I'm going to research that a bit before giving it a shot.

Feel free to make any additional suggestions. It occurs to me that I could have built a new computer in the time this has taken me so far. ;-)

Bob

yep, you could've -- or you could've just reinstalled in that time as well ;) ...Atleast, if you reinstall, you'll see if it's a true hardware only issue. On a funny note aside - I recall others long ago having issue with setupx.dll,but for the life of me, i can't recall the exact remedy, nor can i remember if it was 'always' that particular remedy that would work...might be something like a corrupt BIOS even. Hence; Flash the BIOS (but hold off for now)

Here's some info google hits i got;
http://www.easydesksoftware.com/error.htm#Protection

Quote:

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Windows Protection Errors; Try This Before You Format and Re-load

Here's an option to try before reloading Windows. Boot into safe mode and use RegMedic and the R and R All Hardware. If you do not have RegMedic installed then you will have to delete everything you can under device manager. If there are duplicate entries they can cause protection errors. Then boot into normal mode and run the hardware installation wizard. You won't be able to load very many things until the primary IDE controllers are loaded but once they are you should be able to load all of the device drivers. I've had this work many times.

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http://www.geocities.com/~budallen/w...8_startup.html

Quote:

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Windows Protection Error
Sometimes, Windows may refuse to boot and gives the message "Windows Protection Error. You need to restart your computer." At this point, you're dead in the water unless you boot from a floppy disk.

One cause in Windows 95 is an interaction between SmartDrive and having a large number of device drivers installed. If you see something about "initializing IOS" in the error message, try this fix: Boot from a floppy, find the file Smartdrv.exe (It's usually in the Windows directory), and rename it to Smartdrv.bad. Now try booting the system from the hard disk. The problem is documented in article Q157924 but doesn't give much information about why the problem occurs.

There is a known problem in Windows 95 that affects AMD K6 processors that run at 350MHz or higher speeds. This will sometimes give a Windows protection error message. See Microsoft's document Q192841 for more information.

A complete set of troubleshooting procedures for other causes can be found in Q149962 - Troubleshooting Windows Protection Errors.

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more MS stuff;
APM (Power Management issues) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q187612/

(General Protection faults)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=209321

Suggest, you Plug back in all the hardware you removed In the EXACT same PCI slots you removed them from

Unfortunately, removing Hardware requires a certain detailed method as well, and i have no way of knowing "how" exactly you did that -- but nonetheless, even a bad cable, or Mobo bulging caps can be at fault. For Ex; Steps 10 and 11, removing cables -- did you remove Both the Power Cable AND the Data Cable for each device ? (don't worry bout it now though)

Put MSCONFIG back to Normal Startup and then Reboot and go into Device Mangler

... you definitely have a issue within DM (Device Mangler_ keep booting into it and removing those under "Other" and ANY other Duplicates listed, such as 2 Floppy Controllers - expand ALL branches and Remove those duplicates.

(p.s. - I've gone into the Registry and removed the whole entire HKLM\Enum branch in some repair installs (Upon reboot ALL hardware gets ReDetected and installed) - but this is risky too,...I've been trying to proceed somewhat cautiously.

As far as Me seeing your System.ini, etc files contents - well, we have an issue then (read; too much hassle unfortunately).

Do the Reinstall - you'll be fine...If one of your HDDs has only data on it - leave it Uninstalled (No power, and no Data cable) - this way you can't 'lose' that info anyway...speaking of which, since you have 2 HDDs, and if you have space - Boot into Safe mode and Copy over any important data before reinstall

Thanks for all the additional suggestions!

I wondered if I should back up onto my other hard drive. That's sounds like a great idea. Should I just back up the entire contents of the drive?

And I like the idea of disconnecting the secondary drive during the Windows re-install. That didn't occur to me.

I only disconnected the data cables from my optical and hard drives when I was checking for hardware problems. I wondered about pulling the power cables also but I didn't do that.

As a funny aside, I nearly shot myself in the foot last night. I actually started the Windows re-install using the technique linked above. I renamed WIN.COM as WINold.COM as a first step. But then I decided not to proceed when I got a warning that went something like:

'This full install CD is intended for a computer without Windows already installed. Your computer has an operating system installed and it is recommended that you exit this installation. If you proceed the contents of you Config.sys and Autoexec.bat (I think those were the files listed) will be replaced with basic versions.'

I wasn't quite sure what to make of that so I exited the install program and tried to re-boot. But I could not re-boot into Safe Mode because I had renamed WIN.COM and that file was now missing. I had to dig up some old DOS commands to figure out how to rename WINold.COM to WIN.COM.

Bob

Here's an update.

Tonight I reinstalled Windows 98SE using the tip to rename WIN.com and forcing installation in C:/WINDOWS.

That seemed to go fine but I was still only able to boot into Safe Mode. I no longer get the Windows Protection Error but I'm not sure if I'm any closer to a solution.

I did get the following message from the "Microsoft Registry Checker":

You have restored a good registry - Windows found an error in your system files and restored a recent backup of the files to fix the problem.

Is that a problem?

And, as Safe Mode starts up, I receive the following messages:

System File Error - The following system files have been replaced with older versions by a program you recently ran. These files are currently in use and cannot be automatically repaired. Windows may not run correctly until you exit and restart Windows so these files can be automatically repared.

And the following three files are listed:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDEML.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mcicda.drv
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WINASPI.DLL

I wasn't sure how to exit Windows to allow the repair. Restarting the computer did nothing.

Finally, when I ran the System File Checker, an error was found in the file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\user.exe. I replaced that file with a copy I found in the Helpdesk directory. And then the System File Checker crashed before completing its scan. That was happening even before the Windows reinstallation.

Any suggestions? If I had a rope I would be at the end of it. :)

Bob

STOP using SFC !!! except for Extracting Single files from CABs

Boot into Safe Mode;
DELETE ALL the Registry backups found in C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP and named rb000.cab, rb001.cab ,rb002.cab ...etc

Rename Config.sys and Autoexec.bat (in C:\), System.ini, Win.ini (in C:\WINDOWS) to .old or anything else, like config.sys.mssucks (e.g.- Config.sys.old)

Boot into DOS (Command Prompt only) and
C:\>
CD WINDOWS
REN WIN.COM WIN.OLD
ATTRIB -h -r -s -a USER.DAT
ATTRIB -h -r -s -a SYSTEM.DAT
DEL SYSTEM.DAT
DEL USER.DAT

Pop in the Floppy now and
Restart and Boot Directly into Startup Disk w/CDROM support, and Reinstall Windows using the same before method.

We still haven't ruled out faulty hardware entirely - and only a clean install can determine that for sure, though Removal of your Old HDD and Installation of OS on a New HDD maybe the 1st step, since the Old one can then be hooked up as Slave to copy over important data files

Thanks for the help! I'll try those steps tonight.

And I'll refrain from using the System File Checker.

Bob

Also, can you speculate on what went wrong with the Windows reinstall that I attempted? Was it the fact that there were still registry backups available?

And what do the "ATTRIB" commands above accomplish?

Thanks,

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobF

Also, can you speculate on what went wrong with the Windows reinstall that I attempted? Was it the fact that there were still registry backups available?

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Yes - it's not usua;lly an issue, except it couldn't even get through hardware detection properly, so it called upon anything it could - those corrupted backups.

Quote:

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And what do the "ATTRIB" commands above accomplish?

Thanks,
Bob

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You won't be able to delete - let alone even "see/view" (in a DIR listing) those files (and others, even in DOS) UNTIL you remove the "hidden" attribute (File attributes - ReadOnly(r), Hidden(h), System(s), Archive(a)....the hyphen ' - ' means remove those attributes)

more ;)

https://www.sharkyforums.com/images/...2006/02/10.png
https://www.sharkyforums.com/images/...2006/02/11.png
https://www.sharkyforums.com/images/...2006/02/12.png
https://www.sharkyforums.com/images/...2006/02/13.png
https://www.sharkyforums.com/images/...2006/02/14.png

Thank you. At least I'm learning a bit more about Windows through these diagnostics.

Bob

Here's the latest. I followed the following steps, as provided above:

DELETE ALL the Registry backups found in C:\WINDOWS\SYSBCKUP and named rb000.cab, rb001.cab ,rb002.cab ...etc

Rename Config.sys and Autoexec.bat (in C:\), System.ini, Win.ini (in C:\WINDOWS) to .old or anything else, like config.sys.mssucks (e.g.- Config.sys.old)

Boot into DOS (Command Prompt only) and
C:\>
CD WINDOWS
REN WIN.COM WIN.OLD
ATTRIB -h -r -s -a USER.DAT
ATTRIB -h -r -s -a SYSTEM.DAT
DEL SYSTEM.DAT
DEL USER.DAT

Pop in the Floppy now and Restart and Boot Directly into Startup Disk w/CDROM support, and Reinstall Windows using the same before method.

Everything appeared to go great until I attempted to reinstall Windows 98. I ran into a problem when I entered the product key for Windows 98. After I typed in the full key I received the following message:

MSGSRV32 This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shutdown

If I click on the more info box the message is:

MSGSRV32 caused a general protection fault in module PIDGEN.DLL....

The Windows installation is aborted I'm forced to restart.

I looked up this error online and I found the following note:

You may see this error when you are trying to install Windows 98 if you are using an invalid Product Key.

I confirmed that I was using a good product key and I repeated the Windows installation process twice to make sure that I wasn't making a typo. each time I got the same error.

I then noticed another potential cause from an online source:

This error may also occur if your computer’s date is set incorrectly. Reset to the correct date by clicking Start, Settings, and Control Panel. At the Control Panel, double-click to open the Date/Time icon and reset the date.

I suppose I could check the date by booting in Safe Mode but I'd have to replace/rename the WIN.COM file. (Right now I'm stuck in DOS) I'll give that a shot tomorrow.

Is there some sort of Windows license/key file that I need to delete or reset?

Any other suggestions?

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobF

Everything appeared to go great until I attempted to reinstall Windows 98. I ran into a problem when I entered the product key for Windows 98. After I typed in the full key I received the following message:

MSGSRV32 This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shutdown

If I click on the more info box the message is:

MSGSRV32 caused a general protection fault in module PIDGEN.DLL....

The Windows installation is aborted I'm forced to restart.

I looked up this error online and I found the following note:

You may see this error when you are trying to install Windows 98 if you are using an invalid Product Key.

I confirmed that I was using a good product key and I repeated the Windows installation process twice to make sure that I wasn't making a typo. each time I got the same error.

I then noticed another potential cause from an online source:

This error may also occur if your computer’s date is set incorrectly. Reset to the correct date by clicking Start, Settings, and Control Panel. At the Control Panel, double-click to open the Date/Time icon and reset the date.

I suppose I could check the date by booting in Safe Mode but I'd have to replace/rename the WIN.COM file. (Right now I'm stuck in DOS) I'll give that a shot tomorrow.

Is there some sort of Windows license/key file that I need to delete or reset?

Any other suggestions?

Bob

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boy bob - all sortsa of weird friggin crap is happening to you

Boot to Command Prompt only and type in
C:\>DATE

then Enter the Date -> 02-02-2006 (up til midnight anyway)
MM-DD-YYYY format IIRC, it'll tell you which format

Is this an OEM version of 98SE ?? not that it matters

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I4one

boy bob - all sortsa of weird friggin crap is happening to you

I agree! But at least I haven't lost my mind yet. :-)

Boot to Command Prompt only and type in
C:\>DATE

then Enter the Date -> 02-02-2006 (up til midnight anyway)
MM-DD-YYYY format IIRC, it'll tell you which format

Will do. As always, thanks for all of your help.

Is this an OEM version of 98SE ?? not that it matters

I have both full retail versions of 98 with separate upgrade CDs for 98SE. And I have OEM versions. The last one that I tried was an OEM version of 98 that I planned to upgrade to 98SE but I never got to the upgrade step. It's been so many years that I can't even recall what particular Windows CD/key combination that that I used originally. Out of curiousity, is there some way to determine that?

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Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BobF

Bob

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hadn't i asked you to obtain the ProductId/Key from the REG way earlier in this thread??

yeah - i did - in post #7

Quote:

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[...]
*** Make sure you have your "ProductID" and "ProductKey" (C.O.A.) handy before the reinstallation ***
Start | run REGEDIT;
go to;
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
and grab (write down) those entry values i listed above
[....]

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Actually, that shouldn't be the issue anymore, since I had you delete the REG basically -- there's no reference left.

You are having issues matching the correct KEY to the correct CD probably - and that would've happened anyway..I WRITE the IDs and Keys with a Sharpie onto the CD itself....AND a little scrap of paper with the ID/Key since you NEED to know the key when the CD is already in the drive :doh::eek:

Lemme check if there's something i can find for ya - but it'll be in a PM (private message) since it would violate the AU policy here to post howto in public

Last resort - is to call MS

Success!

Changing the date did the trick! The date had been set at something like 2/2/2079. Once I set the correct date, Windows 98 and the 98SE Upgrade booted up fine. I no longer get a Windows Protection Error.

It looks like I might have scrambled or deleted some software files/drivers in the process. For example, Norton Utilities doesn't fire up when I click on the icon.

I was able to get my dial-up connection working by re-entering my account info but my DSL is still down. I did back up my entire C Drive onto my second hard drive at some point during all the troubleshooting. Is it possible that my DSL related files could just be copied over to my C Drive to get that working again?

Bob

Also: I like the idea of writting the CD-Key right on the CD with a Sharpie.

You'll need to reinstall many apps and settings, since we deleted all their references and settings that are stored in the REG (which were corrupted).

Suggest;

* Get the system only to the point where you can make BACKUPS! - data only (mp3s, Docs, Mail folders, favorites, etc, not OS stuff) -- then wipe it all (Yes partitions and All) -- create New partition/s, set Primary as Active, Format, then do a Clean Install

* Use Firefox/Mozilla (and Thunderbird as Email client) -- don't use IE (5 or 6 especially) unless you seriously learn how to tweak it (secure it)...leave the orig IE4 and don't use it...remove any unnecessary components from Add/Remove | Window Components tab (things like Netmeeting, Personal Web Server, Outlook Express, etc).

DSL ? -- you'll likely want to remove all the networking components/clients/protocols and Reinstall them from the Network Applet in control panel (or NetworkNeighborhood Icon | Properties on the Desktop if "Client for MS Networks" is installed).

Make sure Device mangler isn't showing any '?' or '!' or "Other" listed, needing drivers and such

Thanks for the additional suggestions and all of your help throughout my troubleshooting. I'll look into Mozilla and Firefox and I'll definitely consider reformatting my primary drive.

I ran into a bit of a problem reloading my DSL software. I can't find my install CD and SBC/Yahoo doesn't let you download the software directly. I ordered a replacement CD last night and I'll keep looking for the original. But for now I'm stuck with dial-up.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I4one

You'll need to reinstall many apps and settings, since we deleted all their references and settings that are stored in the REG (which were corrupted).

Suggest;

* Get the system only to the point where you can make BACKUPS! - data only (mp3s, Docs, Mail folders, favorites, etc, not OS stuff) -- then wipe it all (Yes partitions and All) -- create New partition/s, set Primary as Active, Format, then do a Clean Install

* Use Firefox/Mozilla (and Thunderbird as Email client) -- don't use IE (5 or 6 especially) unless you seriously learn how to tweak it (secure it)...leave the orig IE4 and don't use it...remove any unnecessary components from Add/Remove | Window Components tab (things like Netmeeting, Personal Web Server, Outlook Express, etc).

DSL ? -- you'll likely want to remove all the networking components/clients/protocols and Reinstall them from the Network Applet in control panel (or NetworkNeighborhood Icon | Properties on the Desktop if "Client for MS Networks" is installed).

Make sure Device mangler isn't showing any '?' or '!' or "Other" listed, needing drivers and such

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OK! I just got my DSL working again! That's such a relief after living with dial-up for nearly two weeks.

Bob

can you elaborate ? , just for my future knowledge ?

Years ago - I hated installing ANY ISP software, even on Dialup, and will never again do that. I went from dialup to Cable, so no software necessary, nor should there be with DSL (?) -- but whatever you use - do NOT use USB...as a matter of fact, my Cable ISP/provider gave me "install" CDs -- they went into the trash ;) Use Ethernet/NIC/Cat5) Network Interface Card. USB sucks gonads, especially for Internet.

BTW - if you need to use IE ever - this site is a MUST read for configuring IE http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm

One stop shopping resources info spyware blocking, etc, privacy, cookies, Trusted zones, etc ;)
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/main-nf.htm

The funny thing is that I'm not quite sure what step I took that fixed my DSL connection.

I downloaded diagnostic software from Yahoo that was supposed to help with connection problems. That download took about 2 hours using my 56K modem.

But when I fired that up I got a message that if couldn't start until my DSL connection was working. That seemed a bit crazy. How can you get your DSL connection working if DSL is required to use the diagnostic software?

Then I noticed that I had a "?" next to a network adapter in the Device Manager. I thought that perhaps I needed to re-load the software for the built-in NIC on my K7S5A motherboard. So I found the driver for that on the ECS website and I loaded that. But I thought that it failed.

Later on I'm checking and updating Internet Explorer settings and I noticed that I was online with blazing fast page updates. I then saw the activity light flashing on the DSL modem and I realized that it was working. So it's a bit of a mystery but my guess is that it was loading the driver for the NIC that did it.

Perhaps I needed to reboot the system. I don't recall if I did that prior to my first check of the DSL connection.

And yes, I'm using an Ethernet cable between the DSL modem and my PC.

I'll check out that Internet Explorer site.

Thanks!

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I4one

can you elaborate ? , just for my future knowledge ?

Years ago - I hated installing ANY ISP software, even on Dialup, and will never again do that. I went from dialup to Cable, so no software necessary, nor should there be with DSL (?) -- but whatever you use - do NOT use USB...as a matter of fact, my Cable ISP/provider gave me "install" CDs -- they went into the trash ;) Use Ethernet/NIC/Cat5) Network Interface Card. USB sucks gonads, especially for Internet.

BTW - if you need to use IE ever - this site is a MUST read for configuring IE http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm

One stop shopping resources info spyware blocking, etc, privacy, cookies, Trusted zones, etc ;)
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/main-nf.htm

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Here's another question

When trying to run Windows Media Player, I get the following error:

An internal application error has occurred

I searched Microsoft.com and I found an article indicating a registry problem:

Microsoft Link

A registry problem is not surprising given the registry files that I deleted earlier in this thread.

Before I try Microsoft's suggested repair steps, any recommendations on the best way to fix this?

Edit: I just downloaded and re-installed Windows Media Player 7.1, restarted my PC, and I get the same "internal application error".

Bob

That MS link applies to XP only (AFAIK) - try Start | Run MPLAYER2

Did you ever do a Clean Install yet ?

What kind of File types are are trying to Play ?? (try others, and diff file types)
Are you using a Browser plugin to playback in the browser window ? -- which browser?

I run an extremely lean stripped down version of 98 - so i won't know what a lot of these newer app issues are (For ex - I only have IE4, [which I never use], WMP 6.4 only [+ Media Player Classic], no MS Office Crap, No LookOut/express crap, No Java, No Javascript, No ShockTheMonkey crap, No .vbs, .js, .swf, etc) -- plus I've been using linux more and more lately.

Do a clean Install! and be done with it

MPLAYER2 works just fine. Perhaps I just need to change the default player to MPLAYER2 somewhere?

I was trying to play both music and video files. And both within and outside of Internet Explorer. (BTW, I'll definitely going to download Firefox. Since your recommendation I've read a lot of great things about it.)

And no, I never did a clean install. Frankly, I was a little burned out from the troubleshooting. :)

Regarding a backup before a clean install, should I just backup onto my other internal hard drive? (I have plenty of room.)

And is there software that could facilitate the process? I did a manual "drag and drop" backup to my second hard drive earlier but I wasn't convinced that I moved everything over.

Bob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by I4one

That MS link applies to XP only (AFAIK) - try Start | Run MPLAYER2

Did you ever do a Clean Install yet ?

What kind of File types are are trying to Play ?? (try others, and diff file types)
Are you using a Browser plugin to playback in the browser window ? -- which browser?

I run an extremely lean stripped down version of 98 - so i won't know what a lot of these newer app issues are (For ex - I only have IE4, [which I never use], WMP 6.4 only [+ Media Player Classic], no MS Office Crap, No LookOut/express crap, No Java, No Javascript, No ShockTheMonkey crap, No .vbs, .js, .swf, etc) -- plus I've been using linux more and more lately.

Do a clean Install! and be done with it

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