Need Help With Compaq

Hi
This is on my nieces pc. She was having a lots of problems so she decided to take her
restore cd's and do a restore. She said she tried and it wouldn't happen. So she asked her,
at the moment favorite uncle. To make a long story short. I took th CD's and tried again as
she said the wouldn't work so I tried to put them in the dvd/cd rom and it worked. My problem
is now after restore at least 3 times everything seems to be good, as far as the windows 98
is there and all the icons. But I can't open any folder or open my computer. I can't right click
on start and get windows explorer. Here is the weird thing I can go to safe mode and it works
clicking on a folder to open. Also if I use the run commands I can get some thing to open, but
not all.
My question is does anyone have a fix for this? I can't hardly think I would have to buy another
set od CD's? To start when I put disk #1 in cd rom it opens like a startup disk and say missing
some files. So when I put it in the dvd/CD Rom it takes off like a restore disk does. But when done
can't open nothing.

Our model is:
Compaq presario md 7970
sn/3d01dcq5k I contacted Compaq I am including our responses:

Thank you for contacting HP Total Care. In reviewing your e-mail,
I see that you are experiencing an issue with opening My Computer and some other folders on your Compaq Presario 7970 desktop PC after performing System Restore. Let me assist you in this regards. The possible cause for this issue may be corrupted Restore disks. To resolve this issue, I regret to inform that you may have to purchase a new set of Restore Disk and perform Full System Recovery. But the Restore Disks with Windows 98 Operating system are not available from HP. However. For your convenience I am hereby providing you a third party website, that will help you in obtaining a set of compatible Restore Disks for your PC:
================================================
my reply:
Thanks Hancy HP Total Care,
Thank you for your fast response. However can you tell me how these disks get corrupted when they are factory disk. you can't add or remove things off it. And another interesting question. If I purchase new disks and it don't help where do I go? Thanks again Milt
=====================================================
their reply:
Thank you for writing back. There are several reasons why CDs get corrupted like, accumulation of dust particles on the surface of the disk or any scratches on the surface. And, as you asked, if you purchase a new set of CDs and if they don't work, the only option left is to buy a retail version of Operating System CD and load.In this case, you may have to manually download some drivers needed after installing the OS. However, I am sure the new set of CDs will work definitely. The information I have provided should be helpful.If you need any further assistance, please get back to us. I assure you of our best attention at all times.
===================================================

I appreciate any help here.
Thanks Milt

Hi Milt

I know that about a bzillion folks you've helped over in Malware Removal think you're their favorite Uncle too!
I'm sure glad we have you around.
____

To the matter at hand…

Without further information, and at first glance of reading the Compaq 7970 site information…
It looks like the "Recovery Disks" are "driver installation resources" and "may not" be a Win98 operating system installation.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen…558&lang=en

So if you believe that the Operating System is compromised (and it sure sounds like it is from your description of symptoms) then you would need to use a Win 98 installation CD in tandem with a Win98 StartUp floppy (preferrably with Fdisk capabilities)

Note: Win98 has many short-comings and you will almost certainly need Win98 SE to be compatible with more recent applications, games, utilities, USB peripherals and the like.
As you know, Win98 SE is no longer supported by MS, but not to worry…. there is an independent site that has the entire Win98 Update assembled as a Service Pack. (the trick however, is that you must first have Win98 SE…. or you're out of luck)

So if you have all the important documents, files and media backed up to CD or external hard drive, you could format and reininstall the Win98 SE, then use the Compaq Recovery CD set to install the various Drivers. Then download the update Service Pack, install DirectX 9.0c, and JRE 6 should make you fairly functional.

"Opinion" – I wouldn't do it, unless the owner/user was just totally in love with Win98 and refused to move to a better OS.

Win98 SE will not accept the more recent versions of Firewalls.
Win98 SE will not accept the more recent versions of Antivirus.
Win98 SE will not accept the more recent versions of AntiSpyware utilies.

Win98 SE moans and groans with USB 1.1, but can accept PCI card install for USB 2.0 and does a fair job with USB 2.0
———-

Opinion Continued……
If I was trying to be a "good Uncle", I'd go get a legitimate copy of Win2000 Pro - Service Pack 4 at eBay for about $50 US.
Or try "any" Win2000 installation CD that you might have laying around and no longer in use.

Win2000 Pro does OK with 128mb RAM, and sings briskly with 256mb RAM.
I'm running Win2000 Pro SP4 on this old Dell PIII 600mHz CPU, that came originally with Win98. I like it alot!

Win2000 Pro is still fully supported by MS (2 more years and then 5 more for critical updates)
Win2000 Pro can handle the most recent versions of Firewalls, AntiVirus and AntiSpyware utilities.
Win2000 Pro handles most of the MS utilities (media Player and such) and is compatible with popular gaming, browsing, academic, and utility softwares.
_________

About now, I'm wondering if I've gotten completely off-track of you initial inquiry.
I'm betting that the Windows 98 OS has missing and/or corrupted files.

If you have a Win98 SE installation CD from any machine or borrow one from a friend……
You can run System File Checker - sfc /scannow
or you could just reformat - reinstall and proceed as per above with drivers and such.

Best Regards

Thanks Doug, for your reply and kind words. I may state here it is people like you that make this forum so great too. Here is where I stand on this problem. I run System File Checker - sfc /scannow using a win98se disk it didn't do the trick, so I installed th win98se on the PC. Now I had win 98se everything showed up except I still couldn't open the folder at the icons. Now here is the weird problem. I did a full disk scan took several hours. When it was done it started working, except when I would restart it quit working again, so now I did a standard disk scan, and it starting working again. But every time I restart I have to do a standard scandisk to get it working. With this info do you think a new set of factory restore disk will do it? I rather buy the restore disks because of the other stuff that comes with it. Or do you think there is a fix for this problem of having to scan disk to make it work? Thanks again Milt PS have a great day

Hi again, Someone gave me a clue to pass on to see what you think. He said maybe my controler on the morther board is flakey. Though that maybe a pci dual controller would work. I wanted to see what you thought. I have acess to a pci card as to it wouldn't cost to try it. Thanks Milt Here is what I was talking about:

Hi again Milt,

The tip you received is certainly looking in the right direction.
And using a PCI Controller card to by-pass the onboard controller could do the trick.

Short of installing such a Card, I'm wondering if you can have a look in Device Manager.
Any warnings at the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller item might be repaired with Removing and reinstalling the related Driver.
If it is the Master Bus Controller - try removing and reinstalling the Driver

If a warning fault appear for the Primary IDE Channel, but not for the Secondary, consider moving the Ribbons so that your Hard Drive attaches to the functional Channel. (you'll have to make a change in the Boot Order via BIOS for this to work properly)
__________

I'd also consider swapping in a different Hard Drive if you have a spare or can borrow one.
Load Win98 on the substiture HD and you may find that the fault was the HD, not the IDE controller.
_________

Good to know that you can install Win98SE (I had been worried that you only had the machine's Driver CD and not an OS)
_________

With regard to My Computer and Windows Explorer failing to open files……..

I'm imagining you clicking on a Desktop Icon to access My Computer or Windows Explorer.
Those "icons" may no longer have the correct "path".
consider Deleting the Item and then Create a new Deskto "shortcut" via mouse -right Click - new - shortcut

One of our stronger Techs (Paws) has PM'd a suggestion to me, which I will pass on by pasting it here:
I will also invite Paws to jump into this thread directly as/when he develops other suggestions.

Courtesy of Paws:

a reinstall on top of win98se would be favourite as it will only take about 35 to 45 mins and everything should! be preserved. This assumes that Milt has a Win 98se installation disc. If he hasn't then he can borrow one or if necessary I could post him one but I'm sot sure how long things take by airmail from UK…however the offers open.
There's no guarantee that it will work but its mighty queer that My computer won't open or any other icons………Presumably this is not just an icon thing…I take it he has deleted all the non functioning icons, rebooted and then recreated them and also that he has tried making new icons from the programmes .exe files??

Thanks for deciding to use OCP Forum as part of your trouble-shooting / problem solving.

Please post your progress and ask any additional questions as they arise.

Doug

Hi Doug and Paws, thanks for the replies. I am in the process of taking a hd out of a pc and fomat it and see if I can do the factory install, then I will put the win98se on top. I will let you know what happens. Milt

It's a simple matter to google for it, but here for your convenience are the accumulated Win98SE updates:
This is the site that I have used:
http://exuberant.ms11.net/98sesp.html

Here's an alternative site that I haven't used.
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enh…vice-Pack.shtml

And since I haven't tried Win98SE updates via MS Updates for quite some time, I don't know if they still host the "old" updates. Some say MS still provides the old, but no new updates for 98SE. Maybe they do, but they were scheduled to shut it down.

Doug

Hi Doug, Thanks again for holding my hand as we get throught this problem. Well I did say I would get back to you and let you know how I did. Well I must have done something wrong. I took this 80 gig HD and put it in and I did a fdisk, and formated th HD/ That must not been the thing to do cause when I put in the restore disk and reboot, the start and then it wants to reboot all the time without taking any more data.Well then I thought that I would install th win98se, from a new pc disk not a upgrade disk. It seems to install and then I tried to restore again and no dice. I got a feeling that I shoul not used fdisk and partitioned it. I think the compaq disks do the partion too. I am wondering if you guys have any ideas what to do next. I put the compaq HD back in and I still have to do a scandisk first and then it works till I reboot. I am hoping to get the pci controller card to try that. Sorry to be a pain in the neck here. Milt

Win98SE will handle "large" hard drives, but only up to 32gb (I think)
thus with an 80gb HD, use the FDisk to partition
About 15gb for the OS
About 20gb for Application installations
The remainder for files, data, media, etc.
By Partitioning prior to installation of Win98SE the OS "thinks" it sees hard drives all under 32gb size

(note: having C:\ reserved for OS, plus firewall/antivirus/directX/Flashplayer/Chipset Drivers/other onboard Drivers/peripheral Drivers - ONLY - will allow for future reformat-reinstall or repair installation, without disturbing Applications or putting Data at risk)
____

You "may" be right to move on to installing a PCI IDE Controller Card and connecting the HD there, on the assumption that the MoBo controllers are corrupt/dysfunctional.

However……..

It seems that you are relying very heavily upon the supposed Compaq Restore CD(s)

I would also consider
Freshly downloading the Chipset drivers and saving to CD <– from HP website or use Everest 2.20 (free) from MajorGeeks to identify link to manufacturer site
Freshly downloading any PCI drivers (like ethernet card, sound card, other, and saving to CD

Then format/partition as per above and install Win98SE from a Win98SE installation CD – not the Compaq Restore CD

items to install - in the following order

Win98SE
DirectX9.0c <– from MS download page
Chipset Drivers
other PCI Drivers
JAVE JRE 5.0 http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index_jdk5.jsp

Win98SE - ServicePack Updates

Applications (installed to D:\ (your second partition for Applications only)

Next: upgrade from IE 5.0 (the default for old Win98SE) to IE 6.0

After you have done all of the above, and if you want to get an overview of how the machine is functioning,
GoTo
http://www.pcpitstop.com
Run the Full Tests
Full Tests are listed in the left-hand column
You will be required to "register" with a valid emaila address and Create a Password
You wil be required to accept an ActiveX component to Run the Full Tests on the machine
Both registering and ActiveX are SAFE and the Testing is FREE
(takes about 2-3 minutes and gives you browsable results CPU, Memory, HD, Video, Internet, OS, Software, Security and many wonderful tune-up tips)

Click on the TechExpress from any Results Page and you will be able to copy/paste a URL to share your results back here into this thread, if you so desire. We can take a look and make any further suggestions as indicated.

Best Regards

Hi Doug, I am back with some terrific and then some weird information. First I did try the controller PCI card. No fix. I then tried 3 different HD's. Still no fix the same, couldn't open programs using the icons, or open my computer. Well be the never give up guy I tried this: I went to run and typed msconfig. clicked on start up. I then unchecked all and restarted and guess what, it was fixed. So now I went back to msconfig and one by one checked each and restarted to see if one of the start ups was the problem. Well I did find it. when I clicked these two to enable them I had the problem back. went back to ms config and disabled them again and after restart it was fixed again. The two I disabled were: CPQNS C\compaq\cpqinet\cpqnpcss.exe CPQLnet C\compaq\CPQInet\CPQInet.exe I am as happy as a pig in mud my niece will be happy too. I appreciate all you and Paws have done to help me. Have you ever heard of something this weird? I have seen a lot too, but never this one. Thanks again Milt Please let me know what you think of this fix? On my way back to maleware removing. I been missing there for a few days.

Hi Milt, That really is good news. I have never of heard of this "fix" before but I'll keep it in my box labelled "handy to have stuff". Regards paws

Hi Paws, Thanks for replying. With all you years of experience, have you ever had weird things happen? I wonder if I didn't pursue it I probably would have bought a oem os. I should e mail this to HP support with the letter they sent me saying the restore disks are corrupted, and have them explain what these 2 are in the start up for. Have a great day Milt

Good Morning Milt,

Excellent work!
And Excellent method in trouble-shooting the situation.

CPQLnet C\compaq\CPQInet\CPQInet.exe Description:
cpqinet.exe is a process allowing easy internet access for AOL and CompuServer users. The process is running in the background and is a non-essential process. Disabling or enabling it is down to user preference.

Pretty much the same for cpqnpcss.exe

So both would have been candidates to disable, either through their application or via MSCONFIG.

Milt. if you're interested in getting an excellent overview of this or any machine you may be working on, consider the
Full Tests at http://www.pcpitstop.com
You can even post the TechExpress Link back into a thread like this one here at TC if you want to share the results for additional recommendations from the OCP crew.

Glad you got it sorted so you could live up to your well deserved "favorite Uncle" image.

Doug

Hi Doug, Thanks again for the reply. I google the 2 exe's and found out to. I still was curious as to what they had to do with the Problem I had. So I wrote a email to compaq. As a matter of fact I did so as a reply to their answerer. So they would know that I didn't have to buy stupid restore disks. And asked them what the 2 exe's had to do with this problem. They didn't give me a good answere. So I like you will put this in a handy to know box. Have a nice holiday yourself. Milt By the way every time I go pat the PC I do a start. To see if it is still working and it is. I even got up twice during the night and tried it. I never will understand what really happened. I wonder if Bill Gates knows?