Possible registry problems (W98)

[eryoung2646]

I am running Win98SE with 192MB Ram. My computer hangs, crashes, etc.
Question: I am now familiar with the "Clean Boot" Troubleshooting procedure (Q192926) for a specific and on-going problem to isolate and fix it. Is there a step by step procedure of the same type for going through either msconfig or even the registry for non-specific problems such as I am having? I would like to step my way through my system and identify areas of conflict.
Thank you

[reghakr]

eryoung2646,

Crashes...with what error messages?
With what programs?

An easy way to trouble-shoot msconfig is simply uncheck all entries except for systray, scan registry, your virus scanner and firewall if you have one.

To permanently remove the unchecked entries, Backup the registry and/or export the following keys:
go to Start>Run, type regedit. Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Run-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\RunServices-
and delete the entry in the right pane.

Go to Start>Run, type sysedit. Look over the autoexec.bat for unneccessary lines, click the win.ini and check for programs loading here:
[windows]
load=
run=

Check the Start>Programs>Startup folder for shorcuts.

If you don't know what an entry is or what it does, post back.

reghakr

[eryoung2646]

Hello reghakr,
The crashes and hangs I am referring to are not always when I start an application and get an error message. Usually something will stop running and when I hit Ctrl-Alt and Delete, I see the message that so and so is no longer responding and I get, through Symantic Crash Guard, an option to Freeze Check an application or to just dump it and start all over. You mention to look at autoexec.bat and look for unnecessary lines... I know what most of the items are, but how do I determine what items are really unnecessary? This question applies more to the other system files as well.
Thank you so much for your help.
Ed

[reghakr]

I would suggest you uninstall Norton Crashguard as this may be the problem itself. If you have problems:

How to manually uninstall Norton CrashGuard

Situation:
You are unable to uninstall Norton CrashGuard via the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box.

Solution:

You may manually uninstall Norton CrashGuard as follows:

1. Close Norton CrashGuard.
2. Start Windows Explorer.
3. Locate and double click your Norton CrashGuard folder.
4. Highlight every file in your Norton CrashGuard folder and press Delete. Answer Yes if prompted for confirmation. If you are unable to delete every file, delete Cgmenu.exe and restart Windows. You should then be able to delete every file in the Norton CrashGuard folder.
5. Lastly, the Windows Registry must be modified.
WARNING: Neither Symantec nor Microsoft can offer technical support on their products if any incorrect changes have been made to the Windows registry. A mistake could require you to reinstall Windows, and could also result in permanent data loss or corrupted files.

We strongly encourage you to back up your system registry before making any changes. Please make sure you modify only the specified keys. If you are not comfortable editing the registry, please obtain assistance from a professional.
1. Close all running programs.
2. Click Start, and click Run. The Run dialog box appears.
3. In the Open field, type regedit and click OK. The Registry Editor window appears.
4. Locate and highlight the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run

5. Highlight the Norton CrashGuard value on the right side of the Registry Editor window.
6. Press Delete to remove the Norton CrashGuard value.
7. Next, locate and highlight the following Registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Cu rrentVersion\aedebug

Press Delete to remove the Registry key. Answer Yes when prompted for confirmation.
8. Next, locate and double click the following Registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Symantec\InstalledApps

9. Highlight the Norton CrashGuard value on the right side of the Registry Editor window. Press Delete to remove this value.
10. Lastly, locate and highlight the following Registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Symantec\Norton CrashGuard

Press Delete to remove the key. Answer Yes when prompted for confirmation.
11. Close the Registry Editor and restart Windows.

As to the entries, copy and paste them back here for us to look over.

reghakr

[RickyD]

Hello Ed,
I'm not sure if this is exactly what you are looking for , but it is an excelent program that helps with startup issues. Check it out.
StartMan 1.2.70 <a target="_blank" href=http://www.forrestandassociates.co.uk/pcforrest/software.html#startman>http://www.forrestandassociates.co.uk/pcforrest/software.html#startman</a>
Features:

Automatic duplicate and orphan detection and removal features.
Startup identification feature (in association with Pacman's Portal).
13 startup locations - all at once or individually.
Quickly enable/disable all startups.
Optional information panel.
Language packs.

Good Luck and Have a Great Day !!! /images/forums/icons/cool.gif
<font color=blue>>>RickyD<<</font color=blue>

[eryoung2646]

Hello Reghakr,
Thank you, again. I will follow your suggestion at first opportunity and let you know what happens.
Ed

[eryoung2646]

Hello RickyD...
This sounds like it meets the bill... Thank you so much. I will let you know how it works. I am grateful for all the help.
Ed