Big 98 problem

[minoukat]

I have windows 98 SE on my compaq (the sig comp), and yesterday, I was looking on the Internet, when the comp froze. This isn't the problem part (DUH !!!) as it happens pretty often ! Now, I restart the computer, and after windows loads, the resolution, the number of colors, the refreshment rate had changed, and it couldn't see any devices (not even the monitor). So I try to put everything back together, and I pretty much did it. Next, I restart my comp in normal mode, and after WINLOGO, it crashes. I try again 3-5 times, same thing. I decide to go play a little in Safe Mode. Everything there works (which means nothing cuz it doesn't have drivers for anything). I reboot in normal mode, still it hangs.

I have some precious info on that comp, so what can I do except a reformat to return it to original state ?

and what could have caused this ?

[redduc900]

Windows startup problems can sometimes be one of the hardest things to diagnose...I would suggest using the following troubleshooter here at the MSKB...

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/8/67.ASP

...for "Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems"

This article covers "Computer Hangs After Windows Logo Is Displayed at Startup"...

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q150/5/16.asp?

For additional troubleshooting assistance, view the Bootlog.txt file in the root folder. The Bootlog.txt file lists the loading status of all real- mode and protected-mode drivers. If Windows 98 does not start properly, the Bootlog.txt file lists the last driver that loaded successfully, and lists a "LoadFail" entry for each driver that failed to load before the problem occurred.

NOTE: Some "LoadFail" entries in the Bootlog.txt file are normal entries. For a listing of normal "LoadFail" entries in the Bootlog.txt file, see the following article in the MSKB:

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q127/9/70.ASP

[minoukat]

Well, the problem is, everytime I loaded windows, after the Winlogo, the comp started working, for about 5 seconds, then hanged. anyway, I've reformated da hard drive, I just wish it doesn't happen again !

[Microsoft]

i guess thats showing not to buy a compaq.

may need to reformat it

[F0]

Well ..... it work at Safe Mode so I think there is some driver problem. If you have instaled some new drivers recently try to uninstall them in Safe Mode. Did you try reinstall the win?

[minoukat]

I've reformatted and reinstalled with the STUPID COMPAQ RESTORE CDs THAT I SAYed I WOULDN'T USE AGAIN !!!!!! I hate those cds ! I just repartitioned, and now with the reinstall, it put me their f***ing partitions again !