How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows 98

Many problems running Windows or other programs occur because of conflicting drivers, programs, and other settings that are loaded when your computer starts. A clean boot refers to a method of starting your computer with a minimum number of drivers, programs, and settings so that you can determine the source of the problem. Windows 98 provides an easy way to clean boot your computer using the System Configuration Utility.

How to do a clean boot

To perform a clean boot in Windows 98, open the System Configuration Utility and configure the system to load the minimum number of files at system startup.

To use the System Configuration Utility to configure a clean boot:

1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run window appears.
   
2. In the Open box, type msconfig and then click OK
   
   
   
   
3. The System Configuration Utility dialog box appears. Click the General tab (if necessary):
   
   
   
   
4. Click Selective Startup.
   
5. Uncheck all of the boxes below the Selective Startup option
   
   
   
   
6. Click OK
   
7. Restart the computer.
   
8. Test whether the problem still occurs.

How to revert the system to a normal boot

You can undo a Windows 98 clean boot through the System Configuration Utility.

To undo a clean boot:

1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run window appears.
   
2. In the Open box, type msconfig and then click OK. The Microsoft System The System Configuration Utility dialog box appears
   
3. Click the General tab, if necessary
   
4. Click Normal Startup
   
5. Click OK
   
6. Restart the computer

If the clean boot resolves the problem

If the clean boot resolved the problem, try to identify where the problem originated from. To isolate the problem, use the System Configuration Utility to selectively reload one program at a time, instead of undoing the clean boot (as described in the previous section).

To selectively load one program at a time:

1. Click Start, and click Run. The Run window appears.
   
2. In the Open box, type msconfig and then click OK. The Microsoft System The System Configuration Utility dialog box appears
   
3. Click the Startup tab
   
4. Check the first empty box
   
   
   
   
5. Click OK
   
6. Restart the computer.

If the problem recurs, the item you rechecked is the cause. Consult a LiveRepair Expert or the software manufacturer as to the cause of the problem.

If the problem does not recur, repeat steps 1 - 6 until the problem recurs.