Hello, I am temporarily using an old Dell Optiplex GXa that had windows 98 already installed. I then stupidly accidentally erased a file found in Internet options advanced menu. Right after that, I the start button or Computer button did not work... so I restarted and the first screen that comes up is a prompt asking me to enter the windows 98 Product Key?! We found 1 online and entered it and it seemed to work but now the screen remains blank on ly with my screensaver or desktop image but with no icons at all, not even Start. I do receive 2 messages: Mprexe or Explorer: This program has performed an illegal Operation & will be shut down...??

I talked to a Dell tech & he says I need to reinstall Windows 98 or find the missing erased files and install. But b4 I do this, I would need a bootdisc.

I just made a windows 98 boot disc fom bootdisc .com and inserted into the computer & it seemed to read it and work. But do I need the Windows 98 OS disc after this? Is it possible to use a disc where I downloaded some files that might be the missing files? Just not sure how to get my Windows 98 back up and running? Thank you for your help! Beekie

Hi beekie, and welcome to the PCHF!

If it's at all possible, can you supply us with the exact file name of the files missing?

We should be able to locate them on the internet for you so you can download them.

Hya beekie, also have a look here for possible solutions for that prob:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/178084/en-us


And do you have an Win98 disc? If yes, give this a try:

System File Checker tool in Windows 98.

1.Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, click System Information, and then click System File Checker on the Tools menu.
2.Click one of the following options:
Scan For Altered Files
Extract One File From Installation Disk

NOTE: If you click Extract One File From Installation Disk, you can specify the file you want to extract.

3.Click Settings, choose the configuration you want to use in System File Checker Settings, click OK, and then click Start.

Hi there! Well, the error messages I get look the same... they both say: "This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down." The 2 different headings are: "Mprexe" and "Explorer". Thank you for your help!

p.s. Unfortunately I do not have a Windows 98 disc. I saw on e bay, they can cost from 25-50 dollars and I only paiud $50 for the computer since it is temporary... was hoping to download the files I dumbly erased...

Have you also tried the possible fixes in this link I posted?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/178084/en-us


Otherwise without an windows disc, or knowing exacly what you deleted it could be difficult to just place the file back I'm afraid.


PS, I'm sure you can find Win98 cheaper. Here's one for 5.95:

http://cgi.ebay.nl/Windows-98-en-Win...QQcmdZViewItem

To bad this one is in the Netherlands but some searching should help.