DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

DIGIT-ARC / Software / Software Q&A

Problem with Windows 98 Registry Checker at startup

8 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/problem-with-windows-98-registry-checker-at-startup.13012/

V
vijay_v Original post #1
Jul 22, 2005 at 11:15 AM
I have installed Microsoft Windows 98 OS which was working fine until recently... now i have a problem with it.... whenever i start my computer... the Microsoft Registry checker starts automatically just after the windows GUI is loaded... it fixes the USER.DAT file first then checks for SYSTEM.DAT file.. when trying to fix this file the computer freezes and doesnt respond.... not even to CTRL+ALT+DEL....

i have tried to restore the registry to a previous date but there were no backups...
what should be done to overcome this problem... plz help....
swatkat
swatkat #2
Jul 22, 2005 at 1:48 PM
Hi,
Boot in safe mode by pressing the F8 key while Windows loads up. Next go to Start > Run and type msconfig and press ENTER.
Here, uncheck the entry which looks like scanregw.exe and click "Apply" and exit from Msconfig.
Reboot to normal mode, and run Scandisk ( Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scan Disk ), with the option "Automatically Fix errors" enabled for all the drives.

Then renable the scanregw in MSconfig, and restart the PC. Check whether you receive the error messages.
V
vijay_v #3
Jul 22, 2005 at 4:58 PM
the same thing happens even when i boot in the safe mode......
swatkat
swatkat #4
Jul 22, 2005 at 9:34 PM
Have you tried unchecking the scanregw in MSConfig-and running scandisk-and enabling it again?
rajat22
rajat22 #5
Jul 23, 2005 at 2:29 PM
Insted of hitting f8 try preess & hold shift key during boot and follow swatkat's advices.
rajat22
rajat22 #6
Jul 23, 2005 at 2:41 PM
If you are facing same problem
It can be a registry error also in 98.
Boot with command dos prompt, select this option by hitting F8.
Here
type
c:\>cd\windows press enter
c:\>WINDOWS>scanreg /fix press enter (hit the space bar once after typing scanreg & before typing fix)

Now windows will reconstruct your registry and let us hope to solve your problem.
V
vijay_v #7
Jul 25, 2005 at 9:14 AM
when i run scanreg from DOS and try to fix the registry the same thing happens..... comp freezes when scanreg is trying to fix SYSTEM.DAT file...
swatkat
swatkat #8
Jul 25, 2005 at 12:12 PM
Hi,
Try this, go to My Computer. Here go to the driver where Windows 98 is installed, that would be C:\ in most of the cases.
Next go to Windows folder. Next go View Menu > Folder Options. Here click "View" tab, and click "Show all files". Next click "Apply" and "OK". Find a folder named Sysbackup, and open it.
There would be files with the extension .CAB with names like rb001, rb002 etc.
Please make a note of all those CAB files and also their creation dates and post back these details here.