Content area
Full Text
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98
Few things in life are more frustrating than problems with an operating system. Sometimes these problems lurk in the background, but other times they're right on the surface, preventing the users on your network from operating their computers. These are often configuration problems, and can send you running to fix systems all over your building.
Assessing the issues
In this article, we'll look at a variety of Windows 98 configuration problems and the steps to identify and correct them. First, we'll discuss startup problems and how to troubleshoot a computer that exhibits any of the following problems: freezing when starting Windows 98, displaying an error message, and containing a device that does not work. We'll then discuss display problems and how to troubleshoot your computer when you are experiencing problems with graphics, and when the display resolution causes errors. Finally, we'll discuss hardware conflicts and how to reconfigure a legacy device.
Troubleshooting startup problems
Obviously, startup problems are those problems that prevent the computer from booting properly. A good, general troubleshooting method for startup problems is to try starting Windows 98 in safe mode, and then proceed from there to identify the problem. Let's discuss some startup problems.
Computer freezes when starting Windows 98
If you try starting Windows 98 but the computer simply freezes up, it's painfully obvious that you have a problem. The first thing to do is determine if you can enter the BIOS setup to check the computer's CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) settings for a virus protection feature. When the computer first begins to boot, look for an option to press a key to enter startup. Some computers have a BIOS setting that prevents applications from modifying the boot sector of that startup drive. As a result, Windows 98 must modify the boot sector during setup or when it first runs. If the computer allows you to enter the BIOS setup, select the appropriate screen menu to disable the virus protection feature, and then try restarting the computer.
If this doesn't work,...