Help; I installed a program and no desktop or taskbar

[irimacale]

The program (a proprietary program) asked to reboot (I was not manning the
install) and when we rebooted and logged back into windows something very
strange happens: The taskbar flicks on and goes off permanently, there is
only desktop wallpaper (one of the windows default bitmaps). When I tried
Ctrl+Alt+Delete there is absolutely nothing listed in the taskmanager window.
I tried pushing the start menu key on my keyboard and got a Kernel 32 error,
and I could not click on the details button to see what they were. The only
thing that fixed this Kernel 32 error was turning off the comptuer; I had no
keyboard or mouse functions after this happened.

Booting into safemode produces the same result.

[Noel Paton]

Try Booting to DOS - if that works, use the command

SCANREG /RESTORE

pick the latest of the 5 options that precedes your problem, and reboot on
request.

I sounds like your program is not compatible with the OS, and screwed the
registry on installation - what the above does is restore the registry from
prior to the installation - you'll have to manually delete the files
involved yourself.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"irimacale" <u23512@uwe> wrote in message news:6267f5200ef65@uwe...
> The program (a proprietary program) asked to reboot (I was not manning the
> install) and when we rebooted and logged back into windows something very
> strange happens: The taskbar flicks on and goes off permanently, there is
> only desktop wallpaper (one of the windows default bitmaps). When I tried
> Ctrl+Alt+Delete there is absolutely nothing listed in the taskmanager
> window.
> I tried pushing the start menu key on my keyboard and got a Kernel 32
> error,
> and I could not click on the details button to see what they were. The
> only
> thing that fixed this Kernel 32 error was turning off the comptuer; I had
> no
> keyboard or mouse functions after this happened.
>
> Booting into safemode produces the same result.

[irimacale via WindowsKB.com]

Well, it restored something; it changed it back to the previous log in for
windows (I had recently changed it for a different user), so I know it did
something.

But it still does the same thing: Log in, task bar comes on and goes off and
then nothing.

Noel Paton wrote:
>Try Booting to DOS - if that works, use the command
>
>SCANREG /RESTORE
>
>pick the latest of the 5 options that precedes your problem, and reboot on
>request.
>
>I sounds like your program is not compatible with the OS, and screwed the
>registry on installation - what the above does is restore the registry from
>prior to the installation - you'll have to manually delete the files
>involved yourself.
>
>> The program (a proprietary program) asked to reboot (I was not manning the
>> install) and when we rebooted and logged back into windows something very
>[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>>
>> Booting into safemode produces the same result.

--
Message posted via http://www.windowskb.com

[Noel Paton]

Oh dear! - this can be caused by the destruction of the system.ini file :(

do a search for that file (it should be C:\Windows\System.ini) and see if it
exists - if so, post the contents back here. If it doesn't exist, then see
if there's any System.* files - and post the contents of the latest-dated
file present.

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"irimacale via WindowsKB.com" <u23512@uwe> wrote in message
news:6274730fc2e71@uwe...
> Well, it restored something; it changed it back to the previous log in for
> windows (I had recently changed it for a different user), so I know it did
> something.
>
> But it still does the same thing: Log in, task bar comes on and goes off
> and
> then nothing.
>
> Noel Paton wrote:
>>Try Booting to DOS - if that works, use the command
>>
>>SCANREG /RESTORE
>>
>>pick the latest of the 5 options that precedes your problem, and reboot on
>>request.
>>
>>I sounds like your program is not compatible with the OS, and screwed the
>>registry on installation - what the above does is restore the registry
>>from
>>prior to the installation - you'll have to manually delete the files
>>involved yourself.
>>
>>> The program (a proprietary program) asked to reboot (I was not manning
>>> the
>>> install) and when we rebooted and logged back into windows something
>>> very
>>[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>>>
>>> Booting into safemode produces the same result.
>
> --
> Message posted via http://www.windowskb.com

[glee]

The symptoms indicate that explorer.exe, the shell, is crashing.

Blank Desktop or Illegal Operations Error Message After You Install Internet
Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=249191

Follow the procedures here =>
Recovering From a Failed Internet Explorer Upgrade in Windows 98:
http://linuxactivist.blogspot.com/2005/10/windows-tip-recovering-from-failed.html
or
http://snipurl.com/lfix

Especially the section at the end (with edits by me):

"If you still have boot problems after you reboot, you should use the command prompt
to edit the c:\windows\system.ini file. On the command line type: edit
c:\windows\system.ini

Once it is open, change the line shell=explorer.exe to shell=progman.exe. What you
are doing here is changing the default shell (that is having problems) from the
Windows Explorer to the old Windows Program Manager shell. Press Alt, F, S to save
the changes; then Alt, F, X to close.

(As an alternative, you may use "winfile.exe" instead of "progman.exe").

"Reboot Windows. It should now successfully boot with no errors into an empty
Program Manager shell. Use the File | Run | Browse drop down menu selection to
browse to c:\program files\internet explorer (C:\Progra~1\Intern~1) or
C:\WINDOWS\Windows Update Setup Files (C:\Windows\Window~1) and launch ie5setup.exe
or ie6setup.exe (depending on what is there). (If neither of those files can be
found, you probably did not ever install IE from a download at Windows Update. In
that case, you will need to run ie6setup.exe from the CD you had installed from).
Do a Minimal-custom install and check all the Bold faced options. When the setup
program alerts you that these files are already installed, tell it to reinstall all
of the files.

When the Internet Explorer Setup program is done and reboots, hit the F8 key to
bring up a Boot Menu. Choose Command Prompt and boot to the command prompt. Once
there, type edit c:\windows\system.ini and, once it is open, change the line
shell=progman.exe back to shell=explorer.exe. Save and exit the file. You have now
set the shell back to the original value"

If you have problems during the reinstall of IE, you can try this procedure instead:
From a startup using Program Manager as described above, click the File menu> Run,
type the following and press Enter (use the upper and lower cases as shown):

For IE6:
RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE6Maintenance

or for IE5.x:
RUNDLL32 SETUPWBV.DLL,IE5Maintenance

Choose the option to "Restore the previous Windows configuration" and click OK.

If that succeeds in getting you back to Windows, then follow it with an upgrade
installation back to IE6 SP1, followed by a visit to Windows Update for all relevant
critical updates.

--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"irimacale via WindowsKB.com" <u23512@uwe> wrote in message
news:6274730fc2e71@uwe...
> Well, it restored something; it changed it back to the previous log in for
> windows (I had recently changed it for a different user), so I know it did
> something.
>
> But it still does the same thing: Log in, task bar comes on and goes off and
> then nothing.
>
> Noel Paton wrote:
> >Try Booting to DOS - if that works, use the command
> >
> >SCANREG /RESTORE
> >
> >pick the latest of the 5 options that precedes your problem, and reboot on
> >request.
> >
> >I sounds like your program is not compatible with the OS, and screwed the
> >registry on installation - what the above does is restore the registry from
> >prior to the installation - you'll have to manually delete the files
> >involved yourself.
> >
> >> The program (a proprietary program) asked to reboot (I was not manning the
> >> install) and when we rebooted and logged back into windows something very
> >[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> >>
> >> Booting into safemode produces the same result.
>
> --
> Message posted via http://www.windowskb.com

[irimacale via WindowsKB.com]

This is what I have for system.ini :


[boot]
oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv
shell=Explorer.exe
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
*DisplayFallback=0
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv

[keyboard]
keyboard.dll=
oemansi.bin=
subtype=
type=4

[boot.description]
system.drv=Standard PC
keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
mouse.drv=Standard mouse
aspect=100,96,96
display.drv=Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)

[386Enh]
ebios=*ebios
woafont=dosapp.fon
mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
device=*dynapage
device=*vcd
device=*vpd
device=*int13
keyboard=*vkd
display=*vdd, *vflatd

[NonWindowsApp]
TTInistial Sizes = 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

[power.drv]

[drivers]
wavemapper=*.drv
midi=mmsystem.dll

[iccvid.drv]

[mciseq.drv]

[mci]
cdaudio=mcicda.drv
sequencer=mciseq.drv
waveaudio=mciwave.drv
avivideo=mciavi.drv
videodisc=mcipionr.drv
vcr=mcivisca.drv
MPEGVideo=mciqtz.drv
MPEGVideo2=mciqtz.drv

[vcache]

[MSNP32]

[drivers32]
VIDC.IV50=ir50_32.dll
msacm.iac2=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IAC25_32.ax

[Password Lists]
TM2=C:\WINDOWS\TM2.PWL
SCS=C:\WINDOWS\SCS.PWL
TM1=C:\WINDOWS\TM1.PWL
AKN=C:\WINDOWS\AKN.PWL
WALLEN=C:\WINDOWS\WALLEN.PWL
WANDA=C:\WINDOWS\WANDA.PWL

Noel Paton wrote:
>Oh dear! - this can be caused by the destruction of the system.ini file :(
>
>do a search for that file (it should be C:\Windows\System.ini) and see if it
>exists - if so, post the contents back here. If it doesn't exist, then see
>if there's any System.* files - and post the contents of the latest-dated
>file present.
>
>> Well, it restored something; it changed it back to the previous log in for
>> windows (I had recently changed it for a different user), so I know it did
>[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>>>>
>>>> Booting into safemode produces the same result.

--
Message posted via WindowsKB.com
http://www.windowskb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-98-software/200606/1

[Noel Paton]

That looks like a pretty good System.ini to me, except for a largely missing
[drivers32] section - but that doesn't prevent a full boot on my system

I suggest that you follow Glen's excellent advice!

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"irimacale via WindowsKB.com" <u23512@uwe> wrote in message
news:6281739478e04@uwe...
> This is what I have for system.ini :
>
>
> [boot]
> oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon
> system.drv=system.drv
> drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv
> shell=Explorer.exe
> user.exe=user.exe
> gdi.exe=gdi.exe
> sound.drv=mmsound.drv
> dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
> comm.drv=comm.drv
> mouse.drv=mouse.drv
> keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
> *DisplayFallback=0
> fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
> fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
> 386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
> display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv
>
> [keyboard]
> keyboard.dll=
> oemansi.bin=
> subtype=
> type=4
>
> [boot.description]
> system.drv=Standard PC
> keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
> mouse.drv=Standard mouse
> aspect=100,96,96
> display.drv=Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)
>
> [386Enh]
> ebios=*ebios
> woafont=dosapp.fon
> mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
> device=*dynapage
> device=*vcd
> device=*vpd
> device=*int13
> keyboard=*vkd
> display=*vdd, *vflatd
>
> [NonWindowsApp]
> TTInistial Sizes = 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
>
> [power.drv]
>
> [drivers]
> wavemapper=*.drv
> midi=mmsystem.dll
>
> [iccvid.drv]
>
> [mciseq.drv]
>
> [mci]
> cdaudio=mcicda.drv
> sequencer=mciseq.drv
> waveaudio=mciwave.drv
> avivideo=mciavi.drv
> videodisc=mcipionr.drv
> vcr=mcivisca.drv
> MPEGVideo=mciqtz.drv
> MPEGVideo2=mciqtz.drv
>
> [vcache]
>
> [MSNP32]
>
> [drivers32]
> VIDC.IV50=ir50_32.dll
> msacm.iac2=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IAC25_32.ax
>
> [Password Lists]
> TM2=C:\WINDOWS\TM2.PWL
> SCS=C:\WINDOWS\SCS.PWL
> TM1=C:\WINDOWS\TM1.PWL
> AKN=C:\WINDOWS\AKN.PWL
> WALLEN=C:\WINDOWS\WALLEN.PWL
> WANDA=C:\WINDOWS\WANDA.PWL
>
> Noel Paton wrote:
>>Oh dear! - this can be caused by the destruction of the system.ini file :(
>>
>>do a search for that file (it should be C:\Windows\System.ini) and see if
>>it
>>exists - if so, post the contents back here. If it doesn't exist, then see
>>if there's any System.* files - and post the contents of the latest-dated
>>file present.
>>
>>> Well, it restored something; it changed it back to the previous log in
>>> for
>>> windows (I had recently changed it for a different user), so I know it
>>> did
>>[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>>>>>
>>>>> Booting into safemode produces the same result.
>
> --
> Message posted via WindowsKB.com
> http://www.windowskb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/windows-98-software/200606/1