John writes:

<<I turned on the computer after my son had used it the night
before. After Windows finished loading the following error
message appeared:
"Explorer has caused an invalid page fault in module
explorer.exe."

I have tried cold and warm reboots, but nothing seems to work.
The only advice I have been given is to reinstall Windows 98.
Is this the only cure? If so, is there anyway for me to copy
data? [Yes, I know backups are mandatory.]>>

Seems your son may have closed windows improperly, perhaps by turning off
power before closing any open applications?

Can you access Safe Mode?

What happens if you click OK when you get that error message?

Restoring the registry (in dos) is often an easier solution than
reinstalling Windows, and will often rescue an ailing system.

Try reinstalling Windows over the top first, it might fix the problem if it
isn't too severe, and you won't need to backup anything.  Doesn't usually
fix much, but you never know your luck.

If you do decide to deltree Windows and do a clean install, and if you can
get into Safe Mode, I suggest you copy the Windows/System folder out of
Windows, as many programs put their system files into this subfolder, and
copying it will save you reinstalling most of your programs.  You can copy
any important files back into the Windows/System folder as needed.  Also
backup any .ini files.

You should be able to do this in dos if you can't access any part of Windows.

And don't forget that your Desktop is a part of Windows, so any important
folders/files residing on your Desktop should be moved elsewhere, as these
will disappear when you delete Windows.

Don Penlington
Free computer tutorials at: http://www.geocities.com/donaldpen/
Also Fractal Galleries,  free icons,  poetry,  and beautiful Queensland beaches.

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