How to Repair Windows 98 Freezes

Use the Windows 98 installation disk to reinstall the OS.

Frequent freezes in Windows 98 could mean that the operating system has become corrupted. There are several ways to fix this, such as running an anti-virus scan to remove any viruses that may be causing the problem or performing a repair installation of the Windows 98 OS. If a user created a startup disk of Windows 98 when it was in proper working order, he can use that to perform a system restore of Windows 98.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-virus program
• Windows 98 installation disc
• Windows 98 startup disk

Instructions

Anti-virus

1. Open an Internet browser and find an anti-virus program (if one is not already installed on the computer). PC Tools Anti-virus and Comodo Anti-virus are both free programs.

2. Download and install the anti-virus program. The procedure for setting up the anti-virus will vary depending on which anti-virus program you choose.

3. Open the anti-virus program and perform a scan of the computer. Quarantine or delete any viruses the program finds.

Repair Installation

1. Insert the Windows 98 installation disc in the computer's CD-ROM and reboot the computer (or start the computer and insert the installation disc).

2. Click "Browse This CD" when prompted, then double-click the "Setup.exe" option.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

System Restore

1. Insert the Windows 98 startup floppy disk into the computer's disk drive and start (or reboot) the computer. Insert the Windows 98 installation disc into the computer's CD-ROM drive.

2. Select the "Start Computer With CD-ROM Support" when the Windows 98 Startup menu appears. Type "<cdrom>: cd tools\sysrec pcrestor" in the command prompt and hit the "Enter" key on the keyboard. Note that "<cdrom>" is the drive letter for the computer's CD-ROM drive.

3. Remove the Windows 98 startup disk from the floppy drive when the Windows 98 OS starts up. Click "Next" when the Startup Wizard appears.

4. Type your name when prompted, then click "Next." Click "Finish," then click "Restore Backed Up Files" when the "Microsoft Backup" dialogue box appears. Click "OK."

5. Follow the on-screen instructions, then click "Start." The restore process begins.

Tips & Warnings

• Save important work before performing the repair install so it is not lost.

• Research an anti-virus program before choosing one to ensure that it is legitimate and compatible with your Windows 98 OS.

References

• PC Tools:PC Tools AntiVirus
• Comodo
• Microsoft Support:How to reinstall Windows 98
• Microsoft Support:How to Restore Windows 98 from a Full System Backup