[sundown]

Preamble:
computer: Hammerhead p233 tablet pc
OS: Win98 ver 4.10.2222
Two Pcmcia slots with modem card in one and a ethernet card in the other

Screw up history: The second day after I recieved this computer I went into the HDD and (before making backup files) thought I would make hidden files visible by changing the default box in one of the drop down menus (I can't remember exactly what it was that I did but I do know I did not actually type text to change anything). What I think has happened is that I have either erased files or renamed them.

Result 1: Windows wants to start in 'SafeMode' and if I leave it alone (which I have to because I don't have a keyboard yet) it eventually accepts 'Startup Default 3" and goes to a blank desktop that says: "Windows is running in safe mode. This special diagnostic mode enables ......blah blah" and wants me to click on OK (which I can't do yet).

Result 2: An alternate result when I press the start button is that W98 boots to a blank screen and eventually posts an error message "While initializing device shell can not find or load file KRNL386.exe"


Proposed course of action: I have a docking station on order which should be here shortly so I will be able to connect a keyboard, and make selections at the start-up menu. The course of action I am thinking of taking is to boot to the command prompt and then follow this advice:
Type C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\SCANREG /RESTORE, and then press ENTER.
Aparently when I am prompted I will be able to select a previous days Registry.

My question: 1) Does this sound like it will restore the Operating System? (apparently all of the W98 files are in a folder on the HDD).
2) If that does not restore the OS is there anyway that I can use the PC slots to access my other computers or to enable a PCMCIA USB card that I also have?