Brian,

Thanks for your helpful reply. For the possible benefit of any future
readers who have this problem, I found the Microsoft article on
cleanboot,

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q192926

and the method of restoring by halves to be very useful.

--
John U.

Brian A. wrote:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

and a few extras:
Windows 98 or Windows 95 Defaults to Safe Mode Even After Successful Start
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q143283

The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q306615

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"john" wrote in message
oups.com...
W98 SE doesn't boot on my IBM ThinkPad 600. I can boot to
Safe Mode and Step-by-Step loading mode, but not to regular
mode.

ONSET:

Happened afterI used New Hardware Wizard to try to
add the following:

1. Ports (COM & LPT)
Communications Port (Microsoft) [4-23-1999]
Communications Port (Microsoft) [8-24-1996]
Lucent Controllerless Modem Port

2. System Devices
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) BIOS

DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGES:

Vary, but one possibly more relevant one read:

Your multi-function device (Intel 82371AB/EB PCI
Master IDE Controller) has some child devices using
32-bit drivers and others using compatibility-mode
drivers. This configuration is not supported so your
computer has been halted...

Another, which has not recurred, was:

An exception 0E has occurred at 0028:C028B97A in VxD
IFSMGR(04)...

WHAT I HAVE TRIED SO FAR:

1. Used Device Manager to remove:
Communications Port (Microsoft) [8-24-1996]
Lucent Controllerless Modem Port
and rebooted

2. Renamed Win.ini to Win.xxx and rebooted

3. Saved System.ini, copied System.cb (clean boot) to
System.ini and rebooted

4. Used a previously backed up System.ini and rebooted

5. Ran msconfig.exe, unchecked system.ini, rebooted

6. In Step-by-Step boot mode, tried various things,
including not loading the last driver to load before
system hangs up (spccrdx.vxd)

None of these helped.

QUESTIONS:

1. In Device Manager, System Devices, may I safely
remove either/both of these?
a. Intel 82371AB PCI to ISA bridge (EIO Mode)
b. Intel 82371AB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller

2. In Device Manager, may I safely remove COM1?

3. What should I try next? Any other suggestions or
ideas? (I don't have the W98 installation disks
with me).

4. Is there a website with good information about how to
proceed?

5. Ditto for online technical discussion forums where,
for example, I might post the bootlog for comments
or suggestions.

Thanks!!

John