Windows ME start up problems

[DannyNYC]

HI,

Need help badly, tried everything and nothing works. Here's the situation:

Windows ME system (Sony)
After trying to install Verizon DSL software, system hangs, so was restarted. Now I can't get the system to boot correctly. It boots past the WIndows ME splash screen, but in the next screen where the desktop is suppose to display, nothing happens. THe desktop screen is there, but no icons show up. Mouse and KB works, I am able to ALT+CTRL+DEL to a menu, but no programs are shown running. System just stays this way and won't go into the normal desktop.

When I try booting into safe mode, I don't get the "normal" safe mode desktop. I only get a Windows Help/Support page, when I minimize that, nothing else is on the desktop, no start bar, no time, NOTHING, just like when I try and boot normally. Please help!!!

Much thanks.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Use a 98 Boot disk to boot to DOS. Run SCANREG from the DOS prompt (you may need to be in the Windows directory). This will run the registry backup utility and give you the option of restoring a backup of the registry. Pick a date prior to installing the Verizon crap. If the last registry backup date is more than a few weeks ago you'll want to use System Restore (once you boot back into Windows after restoring the registry) to restore to a restore point a day or two prior to the problem occuring.

If there's any possible way you can install DSL WITHOUT installing the software, do so. You can usually call tech support and get them to assign you a master account without using the software, and they should be able to walk you through manually configuring the modem/router without the software.

The software is NOT necessary for proper operation of your DSL. It's just a convenient way to configure the modem/router and setup your account. It also usually configures Outlook Express for you (which you can do manually) and adds a LOT of bloatware and spyware backgound apps you don't need.

You might get lucky and reinstall the software again and it might work this time. If so, once you configure the modem and setup your account, uninstall that crap.

Hope this helps...