My sister decided to update her OS via Windows Update. She isn't sure what she downloaded (service pack or other), but the computer hung up while installing the changes. When she restarted, the computer would not boot. It goes through the motions, you see the W98 welcome screen, but before you get a desktop, the screen goes blank/black, except for a flashing cursor in the upper left hand corner. Several reboots did the same. I went into safe mode and tried to uninstall the recent windows update, but the computer said an error occurred and the uninstall could not be completed. Yes, the computer boots in safe mode.
Anyway, I tried countless things, including uninstalling virus software, but kept getting errors and warnings while trying to do so in safe mode. Finally, I booted on a boot floppy and tried reinstalling the OS. Everything looked great, and the computer restarted several times through the install process, but upon the very last reboot ... same thing as before (blank/black screen ... flashing cursor).
So, first off, does anyone know of an easy fix out of this? What about upgrading to W2000 or ME? I cannot lose my data (no, not backed up). Can you do a clean install that will undo what the stupid update has done, whether it be 98 or other? Obviously, the reinstall I did was not a complete reinstall.
If I have to, I'll remove the hard drive and recover the data elsewhere, but I don't want to go through the trouble, nor lose my programs.
Help please!
Anyway, I tried countless things, including uninstalling virus software, but kept getting errors and warnings while trying to do so in safe mode. Finally, I booted on a boot floppy and tried reinstalling the OS. Everything looked great, and the computer restarted several times through the install process, but upon the very last reboot ... same thing as before (blank/black screen ... flashing cursor).
So, first off, does anyone know of an easy fix out of this? What about upgrading to W2000 or ME? I cannot lose my data (no, not backed up). Can you do a clean install that will undo what the stupid update has done, whether it be 98 or other? Obviously, the reinstall I did was not a complete reinstall.
If I have to, I'll remove the hard drive and recover the data elsewhere, but I don't want to go through the trouble, nor lose my programs.
Help please!