Windows will not start

[buddytod]

I am attempting to install Win 98 on my new laptop.....I dont like XP!!!
Spec is :- P4 2.6Ghz/512mb DDR/40Gb HDD/Gforce4 mx 440go with 64mb/DVD/CDRW combo/56k6 modem etc. Works fine with XP but when it reaches final Boot after installing Win98 it only gets as far as the splash screen then...nothing. It will boot in safe mode but there are no clues since I have not reached the point of installing dedicated drivers. Avice would be much appreciated.
Cheers.

[YODA74]

Slow down a second are you saying that XP is on this machine NOW and your trying to load 98?

Was XP installed as NTFS or FAT? If were installed as NTFS then you will need to wipe the drive with 0's or try partition magic to change it back to a Fat??

[Paul Komski]

If win98 will boot up in safe mode on your laptop but not in normal mode then a video (or other) driver problem seems most likely. Try to get and then upgrade to the correct win98 drivers from the pc maker's website. You may also need a more recent version of DirectX installed.

[Sylvander]

Go to “Start>Help>Index>Troubleshooting>Startup>Startup and Shutdown Troubleshooter>Display”
Then
1. “What type of problem are you having?” = “My computer stops responding when I try to start Windows 98. “
2. “Does your computer start in safe mode now?” = Yes
3. “Enable Diagnostic Startup in System Configuration utility.”
[follow the instructions]
“Does your computer start or shut down correctly now?” = No
4. “Are protected-mode drivers damaged or configured incorrectly?”
[follow the instructions]
“Have you identified the problem?”

Also read this http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;150516
And this http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;188867

[buddytod]

Thanks for your input to date. 1st partition was NTFS but I Fdisked and formatted the drive as FAT32. I am certain that the problem is to do with the Graphics card. I did manage to start Windows using step by step confirmation and System settings reported that it could not allocate resources for the Graphics card as they were being used by the MOBO. I decided to try upgrading to ME as this os tends to manage resources better tham 98. Again no problem until I tried to load the correct drivers then.....Windows protection error each and every time I try to start Windows. I have had a similar problem with a Geforce 4 440mmx SE card I purchased,(loads perfectly under XP but windows protection errors under 98 or ME. If the card is conflicting with MOBO resources before installing the Windows drivers what can I do? I cannot change the memory location settings for the graphics card as they cannot be modified. I have almost given up now but if anyone can help with this I shall persevere!
many thanks.

[Cec Britton]

You said you don't like XP and I can accept that to a point. I don't like XP either but I love Windows 2000 Pro. The primary reason I don't like XP is that I have a small home network set up on a single large desk where my wife and I both compute using the same copy of Windows 2k Pro. and to replicate this scenario in XP would cause me to shell out close to $400 for two copies of XP Pro. My reason really has nothing to do with the operation of XP as you can see.

In your case you say you prefer Windows 98 and have tried ME as an "upgrade". From years of experience with Winodows 98 and 2000 I can assure you that Windows 98 in any flavor is completely inferior to other versions of Windows using the NT operating system. Windows 98 in any version will drive you nuts with system crashes and various other bad things whereas the NT based OSs are almost impossible to crash no matter how hard you try. Furthermore because these systems are newer than 98 they are more supportive of different versions of hardware and software. I think you are already experiencing that with the video adapter.

I'll admit that there is a bit of a learning curve in shifting from Windows 9x to NT but in a short while you will be very happy at taking that route.

This is just my suggestion, its your computer and I wish you the best in whatever way you choose to go.
:)

[Paul Komski]

Since you can get into safe mode you could try to enable Standard Display Adapter (VGA) (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q193/1/56.asp&NoWebContent=1) - until you sort out your video drivers definitively.