need w98 start-up menu advice

[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?

[TopFarmer]

SCANREG /RESTORE will not replace your file. It replaces the reg files and a couple others only.
KRNL386.exe goes in the windows\system folder and it should be 125k for win98se , look in the above folder or use find and see if it is there.
Might try System File Checker, use start/help for useage, to extract file from the CAB.

[sundown]

Thank you for your reply TopFarmer.
The docking station that I am impatiently waiting for has not arrived so I still can not do anything but I will follow your advice when it does materialize. (Canada post can be slow at times!)

If I boot to a dos prompt is there anyway that I can activate my pcmcia slots? If I can make those active I have more options open because I have a pcmcia ethernet card as well as pc USB and flashdrive.

I don't know if it is relevant or not but the PCM ethernet card had been installed and was functioning when I fouled up the system. I just bought the USB card so its' drivers have not been entered onto the hard drive.

[TopFarmer]

(I can activate my pcmcia slots) that I'm sorry to say is beyond my knolwege.

[sundown]

ke sara sara. I imagine I will sooner or later get it solved. If worse comes to worse the seller I got the tablet from off of eBay has offered to try and fix it under warranty. (I would prefer to clean up my own mess though I appreciate his exceptional service)

[alwaysonline]

windows wants to start in safe mode because of the file (s) you messed up,lol

2nd.. 98 does not have a restore feature.

the SCANREG /RESTORE in the command prompt will allow you to "TRY" to put back what you messed up eg.. reg files.



so if i were you, i would wait till i got a keyboard,lol.. the try the SCANREG /RESTORE.

then if that did not work, just simply reboot with the 98 cd and do a dirty install/overlay. it will say at one point by default if you want to keep your files in dos, just hit enter and continue the re-install.

and by the way, which ever way works,you can "make a back up setting"
by using SCANREG with OUT the /RESTORE.