Computer Hanging-Dual Operating Systems

[mohanlal2000]

Hello world.

This is my computer set up. Compaq Presario desktop 5BW160 series, originally Windows98 SE. Also partitioned the drive 2 years back, and installed Windows 2000 on the other drive. So basically, I have two O/S and at the time of sign on, I have an option of choosing the O/S. It was working well for the last two years-until yesterday.

While working in Windows98, I got the familiar blue screen(fatal exception).I had to power off the machine. But when I restarted the machine and selected Windows 98, I got the Windows 98 logo and the machine kept hanging. On hitting Escape button, I get the black screen with text and in the bottom, the message UNKNOWN ERROR 128 CODE 5. Also on pressing F8 to start the machine in Safe mode, I get to choose the O/S. But if I choose Windows 98, I go back to the Win 98 logo and the machine hangs. So I am unable to choose Safe mode for Windows98(although I can choose it for Win 2000). Moreover when I log on to Win 2000, I can continue to access all the files in C Drive(which is my Win 98 drive).

Now the only thing which I did one day before in Windows 98 was to download the Mcafee Virus Update DAT files(It installed successfully without any virus message). I had not downloaded the DAT files for last several months. Not sure if this has anything to do with it.

So my basic dilemna remains as to how to get into Windows 98??

Any help would be more than welcome!!

Thanks.

 

[mohanlal2000]

Hello,

Any ideas would be more than welcome.

Thanks!!!

 

[lobadobadingdong]

get rid of windows 98 all together. your problems will then be solved.

 

[mohanlal2000]

That was the reason I had Windows 2000 on the other drive. But I need to log on to Windows 98!!

Any ideas would be more than welcome..

 

[mechBgon]

How about reinstalling Win98 on its partition, then? Doesn't take long...

 

[mohanlal2000]

Thanks for the response, but reinstalling Win98 is not an immediate option. I don't have the CD also(came preinstalled with the machine). I am sure there must be an easier alternative to log on to the machine . How do I log on to Win 98 even in a safe mode??

 

[mechBgon]

Try pressing the F8 key immediately after selecting to boot into Win98, to boot in Safe Mode. Expect it to take a while. My recommendation would be to boot into Win2000 since it's working, then use Win2000 to pull your important data to safety and burn it to CD, or email a copy of it to someplace, or put it on floppy, Zip, or a USB thumbdrive, or something. Get your data to safety using Win2000, and then you will have a lot less riding on the survival of Win98 here.

 

[mohanlal2000]

Thanks for the response.

When I press F8, I get to choose Win2000 or Win98. But when I choose Win98, I get back to my original machine hanging problem.. But I can choose safe mode for Win2000 only. In other words, I cannot choose safe mode for Win98 using F8. And your suggestions are absolutely my back up plan. But I had quite a bit of software installed on Win98 which I need to use.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: mohanlal2000
Thanks for the response.

When I press F8, I get to choose Win2000 or Win98. But when I choose Win98, I get back to my original machine hanging problem.. But I can choose safe mode for Win2000 only. In other words, I cannot choose safe mode for Win98 using F8. And your suggestions are absolutely my back up plan. But I had quite a bit of software installed on Win98 which I need to use.

After choosing Win98 you would want to press F8 just as quickly as you possibly could. Try F5 too... I admit to being a little hazy as to which key it was for Win98.

If that isn't working and you don't have Win98, then you may need to buy it. Try the For Sale & Trade forum if you need somewhere to start.

 

[GregANDTCH]

I'm thinking if you reinstall Win98 over itself, it will work.
Win2K will probably STOP working.
I could be wrong, just guessing.

 

[mohanlal2000]

Reinstalling Win 98 over itself-How do I do that anyway?? I would not want Win2K to stop working At least I have a working machine now. How do I get on to Win 98 is the main question.

Is there any way to log on to Win 2k and then access Win98(Add/Remove Programs)??

 

[mohanlal2000]

Finally, I could get into Win 98 using the safe mode!!! What now?? How do I back up the system to some early day(can I do that in Win 98)?

Thanks..

 

[GregANDTCH]

I don't remember Win98 having any native "System restore" capability.
I think it started with WinME.
There was a program to backup the registry you could get off the CD, but it wasn't automatic.