can not get computer to boot up in windows to run hijack this

I can not get my computer to boot up properly. I am running Windows 98 and before it loads all the way, a fatal error screen consistently appears and I can never get past it. If I boot the computer in safe mode, no desktop icons appear nor does the "start" button that is usually at the bottom left corner of the screed. Since I can not get into windows, I have not been able to download, install and run hijackthis. I guess I will need to boot the computer in dos mode, but do not know what to do from there. Anyhelp on what to do or where to begin would be greatly apreciated. Thanks, Jay

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