edit: folks, please feel free to add a faster solution / critique any procedure...Hi.
Re checking startup, you can also do it by: clicking start / run / typing "msconfig" then clicking enter or OK / select: startup / hit the maximize button on upper right....
I would just run KillAspi if you can-- then make sure these files are gone: windows\system\iosubsys\apix.vxd
windows\system\aspienum.vxd
windows\system\winaspi.dll
windows\system\wnaspi32.dll
And do not reinstall any adaptec, at least for now. If so, did that help?
Next, i would run scanreg /restore (space after first word, no space before second word) and select the closest registry before you installed service pack.
edit: before proceeding with install, you could run this app and export results to another location, so you don't lose any web,ie, oe, etc. passwords/loginsautofills:
PSPV tiny 28KB! Another good app:
RoboForm last free version or
Robo Latest shareware free trial & home pageIf that doesn't work, then i would just re-install windows over the top-- being careful to select the same exact windows directory if/when it prompts you. If you have 98lite installed or have burned the install cd to hard drive, clicking 98lite or setup can also work.
If windows doesn't allow this, all you'd need is one boot floppy, then you could install any way you wanted to-- i'd use one of these, they're more intuitive / contain more tools than the MS one:
http://www.startdisk.com/Web1/ubd/98UBD.exe or this one:
TechWorm for Win98SE when prompted for if you want cd-rom support, answer yes.
Afterwards i'd install any of the unofficial service packs:
http://exuberant.ms11.net/98sesp.html 1.5 might be the safest for you, though i'd have no problem using the others as long as you deselect the Aspi option during install. Afterwards you can hit windows update or this app:
BigFix1.7.6.0 to see if you're missing any patches.
This would be the fastest way to get you up and running(assuming KillAspi & restore reg didn't fix the problem)-- and safe.
You will not lose data-- though to be extra safe, not practically necessary(& to help check for something that needs reinstalling) you could pre-copy to other location: Program Files, windows\application data(contains email, quick launch bar, some ie plugins, etc.) windows\desktop(also contains my briefcase) windows \start menu(has shortcuts, program folders, windows startup apps), windows\sendto, windows\downloaded program files & downloaded installations, windows\ favorites, history, cookies-- IF you want to keep your auto web logins(i've forgotten so many passwords) & past web research links, start my documents & any other folder you wish. Btw if it comes to this in the future-- you need to replace w/ one of the backed-up fave/history/cookie folders-- it may require an extra step or two, just begin another thread.
Re jump drive / floppy diskette: does this mean--
1. you cannot reinstall win98 using the install cd?
2. you wish to boot from jump drive and/or connect it to win95 machine--
i have no experience with those drives-- i'm sure i could find how, but it would take longer than just over-installing windows with worst-case a bootable floppy...
So at the risk of lengthening this process needlessly-- here would be some options:I would look for drivers in the freedos site-- they have done some great things with this dos os-- including support for modern things / peripherels like/dealing with UDMA, USB, flash drives, advanced network, etc.
http://www.freedos.org/But by using your jumpdrive, there's really nothing you can do than without the boot floppy.....It coud also work w/ a usb to parallel cable, or using a cable to connect your win95 machine to the win98 and booting it 'remotely'--this line is needed in your c:\msdos.sys file: Network=1
as well other entries help during troubleshooting-- first right-click it / select properties / uncheck read-only / apply-- then right-click / select 'open with notepad'(or similar app) & insert all this: over-writing all contents:
[Paths]
WinDir=C:\WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS
HostWinBootDrv=C
[Options]
BootDelay=2
BootMulti=1
BootGUI=1
DoubleBuffer=1
AutoScan=1
SystemReg=1
WinVer=4.10.2222
BootMenu=1
Logo=0
BootMenuDefault=1
BootMenuDelay=10
BootKeys=1
BootWarn=0
Network=1
DisableLog=0
;
;The following lines are required for compatibility with other programs.
;Do not remove them (MSDOS.SYS needs to be >1024 bytes).
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxb
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxd
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxe
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxf
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxg
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxj
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxk
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxm
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxn
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxo
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxp
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxq
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxr
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs
save & repeat right-click / properties process to enable read-only again. Note: after you're done troubleshooting, you can go in there again and change BootDelay to 0, and BootMenuDelay to a lower number--say, 4.....
Note: if this file does not appear, do this: click Start / settings / folder options / view / scroll down to Hidden Files / put a check in Show All Types.
HTH.....