Help with System Restoration

[BeenBit]

Hi,

First, I know you hear this all the time, but with me it's true . . .I'm not terribly computer literate (I guess a Newbie). . .so please bear with me if I ask for clarification on something.

I have a PC I purchased from CompUSA in 1999. It runs Windows 98SE. A "system restoration cd" came with the computer. But I have never run it, and a friend has suggested I probably should run it now. In spite of running anti-virus and Ad-aware, SpyBot, SpywareGuard, etc., the machine has over time has begun to slow down. It now seems to sit and search a long time before accomplishing something like connecting to a web page. Restarting takes a long time.

I read several pieces online about system restoration and felt pretty confident about doing it. I'm able to boot from the cd and start the system restoration program. But it's not long before I get an error message: Error File # 1810. Image File Could Not Be Opened. I click on the OK button, and then get the following message (I guess this is a prompt or something, but I don't know where to go from here): Remove this CD and Reset Power. Below it on the screen is A:\>

I really don't know what is being asked for here. Can someone help? If I'm in over my head here, please tell me. Right now when the above happens, I can do the Control Alt Delete command and the machine restarts. Everything runs fine (well, slow. . .like I said before), but it does run.

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

:o

Jim

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Hi BeenBit, welcome to the Windows Forum!

First, what is your situation - is Windows still bootable? If so, I would recommend that you first try to clean your system from accumulated unnecessary files. Download, install, and run CCleaner. After that, defragment your file system. If the system is still slow, then try my Win98 installation method; see this thread http://www.windowsforum.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=17295

If your Windows system is already gone, then of course we'll have to find a solution for this current situation. I have done a Google search on that error, and it appears as if this is mostly happening on Compaq computers.

One item I found is this: http://www.compusa.com/pcmodem/ask_pc.asp?Question=17874 - so if nobody here can give you any help with your error, you may try to get help from CompUSA.

One more thing: during what phase of the install is this happening - during the hard disk check? If so, you can skip this check by using the /is option on the setup.

[BeenBit]

Hi pwillener,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, Windows is still bootable. Other than the slowness, it still starts okay and allows me access to the internet. I also use it for Quicken and some other programs like that. But there's just a whole lotta junk from old programs and files filling the drive space. My daughter used it for years before going to college (she now has her own laptop), so there's quite a bit of crap on there. My own needs are basic: internet access, e-mail, media player, Quicken, and a few other necessary progams like the Ad-aware, Spybot, anti-virus, etc. I've already copied Quicken and all other important files onto CDs in prep for restoring the system, but if I don't need to do so that would be fine.

I'll try CCleaner and then defragmenting tomorrow evening after work and let you know how that turns out. If I go farther, I might need to ask for some further direction on things like creating the Win98 startup floppy, etc.

Let me try that and check out the other links you've provided. Then I'll be back with you.

Thanks,

BeenBit

:)

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Good to hear that Windows is still running. I guess that if a reinstall becomes necessary eventually, the /is option may get you around that error.

As for the many installed programs, open the Control Panel, then Add/Remove Programs. From there you can uninstall anything that you don't need. That may also clear up some disk space.