Cannot startup Windows after disk defragmentation

Hello Everyone,

I have a Dell Desktop Pentium 700 MHz with 512 RAM installed and
Windows 98 SE. The Windows version is 4.10.2222. This computer
has been working fine for many years.

Installed programs include Norton System Works 2005 Premier and
Norton Internet Security 2006.

To optimize my hard disk, I ran Norton Disk Optimization – Speed
Disk that is part of the Norton Utilities. A message popped up –
maybe bad disk sectors. I ran Norton Disk Doctor. I checked
repair automatically and created a NDD undo file.

I restarted the computer and resumed optimization which proceeded
very slowly. After several hours, I pressed "Stop"; and was
able to shut the system down normally.

I started the computer and received error message: "This program
performed an illegal operation and will be shut down" for each of
the following processes:

1. Ccsetmgr
2. Ccevtmgr
3. Nprotect
4. Aluschedulersvc
5. Iddvc
6. Sbserv
7. Ccproxy
8. Sbserv

"Details" for each of the above indicated "invalid page fault in
module MSVCRT.DLL" and listed various registers and stack dump.

I also received the following two "Error Starting Program"
messages mixed in with the above error messages:

1. "The PSAPI.DLL file is linked to missing export
NTDLL.DLL:NtAllocateVirtualMemory".

2. "The APITRAP.DLL file cannot start. Check the file to
determine the problem".

Next, the Microsoft Network dialog box came up. I entered the
password and the error message "This program performed an illegal
operation and will be shut down" came up 5 times for "Explorer".

"Details" again indicated invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL
and listed various registers and stack dump.

The screen displayed my normal wallpaper but with no icons or
system tray. The Start Menu did not come up. Pressing "Ctrl-
Alt-Del" listed the following running programs:

1. Ghoststartservice
2. Csinject
3. Wmexe

Based on the above error messages, I suspect that the NSW hard
disk optimization process caused this situation.

I have Norton GoBack installed and used it in the past with
success. I thought this would solve the problem by restoring the
hard drive to a time before I ran the disk defrag. I restarted
the computer and pressed the space bar to activate NGB. I got a
message to the effect "cannot find any system point to restore".

I then used the Windows "step-by-step confirmation" startup
method trying various combinations of excluding commands to no
avail.

After that, I tried Windows "safe mode". The screen displayed my
normal wallpaper at a different resolution but with no icons or
system tray. The Start Menu did not come up. The error message
"This program performed an illegal operation and will be shut
down" came up 5 times for "Explorer". Pressing "Ctrl-Alt-Del"
brought up the running programs dialog with no programs listed.

I then tried my Windows 98 SE startup disk. All it did was offer
to install Windows 98 SE and say it was a good idea to back up my
files. I figured this meant installation would wipe out all my
data and installed programs so I did not proceed.

I also have a Norton Recovery Disk that came with NSW. I tried
that and received a message to the effect that no recovery file
could be found.

I also used command prompt and can view the lists of directories
and files on the drive. It appears that all of my data and
program files are present.

I then contacted Symantec's Technical Support and received the
following response:


"Thank you for contacting Symantec Online Technical Support.

"I understand from your message that you are facing some issue
with Norton SystemWorks (NSW) 2005 and you are receiving a number
of error message and you have also tried to run Speed Disk.

"I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
John, please note that this issue may be caused due to the
conflict between the programs or due to the corrupt or damaged
files of the Symantec program.

"In order to resolve this issue, I suggest that you try to follow
the steps provided below and check for the issue.

"1. Download the removal tool to uninstall the Symantec program.
"2. Prepare the computer and re-install Norton SystemWorks (NSW)
2006.

"Also be informed that removal tools downloaded from Symantec
site are used to remove the remnants of the previous version of
Symantec programs installed on the computer.

"To download the removal tools and to remove the remnants of the
Symantec programs installed on the computer, I suggest you to
follow the steps provided in the document linked below:

"Title: 'Using the Norton removal tool: Solution 2'
Document ID: 2006031710323113
Web URL:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support.../docid/2006031
71032311
3?Open&src=con_ols_nam"


Symantec's solution requires Windows functionality which I do not
have. I wrote back to Symantec and was given another solution
that again requires Windows functionality. I gave up on Symantec
Technical Support.

I then went to Microsoft's Windows 98 technical support Knowledge
Base and read the following Articles:

184075 Description of Microsoft System Information
(Msinfo32.exe) Tool

188867 Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems

281965 How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility with
Windows 98

192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98

250928 How to reinstall Windows 98

Regarding these articles, "Msconfig32.exe" does not work in
command mode. So, I ran "scanreg/restore" and restored the
registry to a time before these problems arose. I received
essentially the same error messages when starting up. I did a
"scanreg.exe" check and received the response that the registry
was O.K.

At this point, I tried everything I feel comfortable trying. I
have a DSL modem and a wireless router connected to the computer
with the problems. My Internet connectivity is still working and
I'm reluctant to try anything that might disrupt the Internet
service.

I installed many software programs and new hardware (CD-ROM,
Network Interface Card) over the years and would like to avoid a
reinstall of Windows 98. If anybody could offer a solution that
would avoid a Windows Reinstall or allow most of my installed
programs to remain, I would be most appreciative.

Thanks for taking the time to read this long message. All
replies are welcome.

Blue Sky wrote:
Hello Everyone,

I have a Dell Desktop Pentium 700 MHz with 512 RAM installed and
Windows 98 SE. The Windows version is 4.10.2222. This computer
has been working fine for many years.

Installed programs include Norton System Works 2005 Premier and
Norton Internet Security 2006.

In my opinion (and that's all it is - best wait for other replies to get
a fuller picture), no Norton AV or Utilities programs subsequent to
the 2001 versions should *ever* be run on a W98SE box. They cause an
awful lot of trouble: blue screens, false positives, and an awful lot more.

My own view is that you should uninstall all Norton/Symantec programs.
This is not as easy as it looks, because the confounded things leave
traces all over the place (especially in the registry), and there's a
page (I think) on Symantec's site which gives you instructions on how to
completely remove their gunk from your machine.

Then, try a different AV program. My own preference is Avast!
(www.avast.com), but each to his own.

Try a different firewall (I use the last version of Sygate - now, alas,
bought up and closed down by - Symantec).

(Both of the above are/were free).

As for keeping things tidy, Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org)and
Adaware (http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware) do just fine for
catching the sneaky stuff. These are also free.

Regarding general utilities, the native Scandisk and Defrag programs are
just fine, although if you can get hold of the Windows Me version of
defrag.exe (version 4.90.3000), many of us find that that runs a lot
quicker.

HTH
--
Regards

Nigel Stapley

www.judgemental.plus.com

reply-to will bounce

You are going to find Nigel's opinion of Norton products pretty popular
around here. You will also note that many of the error messages you are
receiving are related to the Norton products.

Here's a way to get into Windows when the PC will not boot using Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=182090 Use this technique to get into
Windows and then try some of the suggested fixes.

I'd also do a search to see if you have copies of msvcrt.dll sprinkled all
over the hard drive and if so, you might want to rename any you find by
changing the extension to .bck except for the one in the system folder. You
might want to replace the one in the system folder with a fresh copy.

--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Blue Sky" wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,

I have a Dell Desktop Pentium 700 MHz with 512 RAM installed and
Windows 98 SE. The Windows version is 4.10.2222. This computer
has been working fine for many years.

Installed programs include Norton System Works 2005 Premier and
Norton Internet Security 2006.

To optimize my hard disk, I ran Norton Disk Optimization - Speed
Disk that is part of the Norton Utilities. A message popped up -
maybe bad disk sectors. I ran Norton Disk Doctor. I checked
repair automatically and created a NDD undo file.

I restarted the computer and resumed optimization which proceeded
very slowly. After several hours, I pressed "Stop"; and was
able to shut the system down normally.

I started the computer and received error message: "This program
performed an illegal operation and will be shut down" for each of
the following processes:

1. Ccsetmgr
2. Ccevtmgr
3. Nprotect
4. Aluschedulersvc
5. Iddvc
6. Sbserv
7. Ccproxy
8. Sbserv

"Details" for each of the above indicated "invalid page fault in
module MSVCRT.DLL" and listed various registers and stack dump.

I also received the following two "Error Starting Program"
messages mixed in with the above error messages:

1. "The PSAPI.DLL file is linked to missing export
NTDLL.DLL:NtAllocateVirtualMemory".

2. "The APITRAP.DLL file cannot start. Check the file to
determine the problem".

Next, the Microsoft Network dialog box came up. I entered the
password and the error message "This program performed an illegal
operation and will be shut down" came up 5 times for "Explorer".

"Details" again indicated invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL
and listed various registers and stack dump.

The screen displayed my normal wallpaper but with no icons or
system tray. The Start Menu did not come up. Pressing "Ctrl-
Alt-Del" listed the following running programs:

1. Ghoststartservice
2. Csinject
3. Wmexe

Based on the above error messages, I suspect that the NSW hard
disk optimization process caused this situation.

I have Norton GoBack installed and used it in the past with
success. I thought this would solve the problem by restoring the
hard drive to a time before I ran the disk defrag. I restarted
the computer and pressed the space bar to activate NGB. I got a
message to the effect "cannot find any system point to restore".

I then used the Windows "step-by-step confirmation" startup
method trying various combinations of excluding commands to no
avail.

After that, I tried Windows "safe mode". The screen displayed my
normal wallpaper at a different resolution but with no icons or
system tray. The Start Menu did not come up. The error message
"This program performed an illegal operation and will be shut
down" came up 5 times for "Explorer". Pressing "Ctrl-Alt-Del"
brought up the running programs dialog with no programs listed.

I then tried my Windows 98 SE startup disk. All it did was offer
to install Windows 98 SE and say it was a good idea to back up my
files. I figured this meant installation would wipe out all my
data and installed programs so I did not proceed.

I also have a Norton Recovery Disk that came with NSW. I tried
that and received a message to the effect that no recovery file
could be found.

I also used command prompt and can view the lists of directories
and files on the drive. It appears that all of my data and
program files are present.

I then contacted Symantec's Technical Support and received the
following response:


"Thank you for contacting Symantec Online Technical Support.

"I understand from your message that you are facing some issue
with Norton SystemWorks (NSW) 2005 and you are receiving a number
of error message and you have also tried to run Speed Disk.

"I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
John, please note that this issue may be caused due to the
conflict between the programs or due to the corrupt or damaged
files of the Symantec program.

"In order to resolve this issue, I suggest that you try to follow
the steps provided below and check for the issue.

"1. Download the removal tool to uninstall the Symantec program.
"2. Prepare the computer and re-install Norton SystemWorks (NSW)
2006.

"Also be informed that removal tools downloaded from Symantec
site are used to remove the remnants of the previous version of
Symantec programs installed on the computer.

"To download the removal tools and to remove the remnants of the
Symantec programs installed on the computer, I suggest you to
follow the steps provided in the document linked below:

"Title: 'Using the Norton removal tool: Solution 2'
Document ID: 2006031710323113
Web URL:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support.../docid/2006031
71032311
3?Open&src=con_ols_nam"


Symantec's solution requires Windows functionality which I do not
have. I wrote back to Symantec and was given another solution
that again requires Windows functionality. I gave up on Symantec
Technical Support.

I then went to Microsoft's Windows 98 technical support Knowledge
Base and read the following Articles:

184075 Description of Microsoft System Information
(Msinfo32.exe) Tool

188867 Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems

281965 How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility with
Windows 98

192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98

250928 How to reinstall Windows 98

Regarding these articles, "Msconfig32.exe" does not work in
command mode. So, I ran "scanreg/restore" and restored the
registry to a time before these problems arose. I received
essentially the same error messages when starting up. I did a
"scanreg.exe" check and received the response that the registry
was O.K.

At this point, I tried everything I feel comfortable trying. I
have a DSL modem and a wireless router connected to the computer
with the problems. My Internet connectivity is still working and
I'm reluctant to try anything that might disrupt the Internet
service.

I installed many software programs and new hardware (CD-ROM,
Network Interface Card) over the years and would like to avoid a
reinstall of Windows 98. If anybody could offer a solution that
would avoid a Windows Reinstall or allow most of my installed
programs to remain, I would be most appreciative.

Thanks for taking the time to read this long message. All
replies are welcome.

Hello Ron,

Thanks for the prompt and helpful reply. In my search of Microsoft support,
I came across article 182090. I wasn't sure if it would work because it
applies to Windows 95 and Windows 98 Standard Edition while I have 98 Second
Edition.

After I back up my data files (I have a back up but it more than a week
old), I'll try your suggestions and post the results.

I apologize for the duplicate post. My question was my first post in this
community. When I hit "Post", the error message "Page not available" came
up. So I posted again, and found that both posts were successful. Now I
know to check before posting a second time.

Thanks again,
John

"Ron Badour" wrote:

You are going to find Nigel's opinion of Norton products pretty popular
around here. You will also note that many of the error messages you are
receiving are related to the Norton products.

Here's a way to get into Windows when the PC will not boot using Explorer:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=182090 Use this technique to get into
Windows and then try some of the suggested fixes.

I'd also do a search to see if you have copies of msvcrt.dll sprinkled all
over the hard drive and if so, you might want to rename any you find by
changing the extension to .bck except for the one in the system folder. You
might want to replace the one in the system folder with a fresh copy.

--
Regards


Ron Badour, MS MVP for W98
Tips: http://home.satx.rr.com/badour
Knowledge Base Info:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=kbinfo



"Blue Sky" wrote in message
...
Hello Everyone,

I have a Dell Desktop Pentium 700 MHz with 512 RAM installed and
Windows 98 SE. The Windows version is 4.10.2222. This computer
has been working fine for many years.

Installed programs include Norton System Works 2005 Premier and
Norton Internet Security 2006.

To optimize my hard disk, I ran Norton Disk Optimization - Speed
Disk that is part of the Norton Utilities. A message popped up -
maybe bad disk sectors. I ran Norton Disk Doctor. I checked
repair automatically and created a NDD undo file.

I restarted the computer and resumed optimization which proceeded
very slowly. After several hours, I pressed "Stop"; and was
able to shut the system down normally.

I started the computer and received error message: "This program
performed an illegal operation and will be shut down" for each of
the following processes:

1. Ccsetmgr
2. Ccevtmgr
3. Nprotect
4. Aluschedulersvc
5. Iddvc
6. Sbserv
7. Ccproxy
8. Sbserv

"Details" for each of the above indicated "invalid page fault in
module MSVCRT.DLL" and listed various registers and stack dump.

I also received the following two "Error Starting Program"
messages mixed in with the above error messages:

1. "The PSAPI.DLL file is linked to missing export
NTDLL.DLL:NtAllocateVirtualMemory".

2. "The APITRAP.DLL file cannot start. Check the file to
determine the problem".

Next, the Microsoft Network dialog box came up. I entered the
password and the error message "This program performed an illegal
operation and will be shut down" came up 5 times for "Explorer".

"Details" again indicated invalid page fault in module MSVCRT.DLL
and listed various registers and stack dump.

The screen displayed my normal wallpaper but with no icons or
system tray. The Start Menu did not come up. Pressing "Ctrl-
Alt-Del" listed the following running programs:

1. Ghoststartservice
2. Csinject
3. Wmexe

Based on the above error messages, I suspect that the NSW hard
disk optimization process caused this situation.

I have Norton GoBack installed and used it in the past with
success. I thought this would solve the problem by restoring the
hard drive to a time before I ran the disk defrag. I restarted
the computer and pressed the space bar to activate NGB. I got a
message to the effect "cannot find any system point to restore".

I then used the Windows "step-by-step confirmation" startup
method trying various combinations of excluding commands to no
avail.

After that, I tried Windows "safe mode". The screen displayed my
normal wallpaper at a different resolution but with no icons or
system tray. The Start Menu did not come up. The error message
"This program performed an illegal operation and will be shut
down" came up 5 times for "Explorer". Pressing "Ctrl-Alt-Del"
brought up the running programs dialog with no programs listed.

I then tried my Windows 98 SE startup disk. All it did was offer
to install Windows 98 SE and say it was a good idea to back up my
files. I figured this meant installation would wipe out all my
data and installed programs so I did not proceed.

I also have a Norton Recovery Disk that came with NSW. I tried
that and received a message to the effect that no recovery file
could be found.

I also used command prompt and can view the lists of directories
and files on the drive. It appears that all of my data and
program files are present.

I then contacted Symantec's Technical Support and received the
following response:


"Thank you for contacting Symantec Online Technical Support.

"I understand from your message that you are facing some issue
with Norton SystemWorks (NSW) 2005 and you are receiving a number
of error message and you have also tried to run Speed Disk.

"I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
John, please note that this issue may be caused due to the
conflict between the programs or due to the corrupt or damaged
files of the Symantec program.

"In order to resolve this issue, I suggest that you try to follow
the steps provided below and check for the issue.

"1. Download the removal tool to uninstall the Symantec program.
"2. Prepare the computer and re-install Norton SystemWorks (NSW)
2006.

"Also be informed that removal tools downloaded from Symantec
site are used to remove the remnants of the previous version of
Symantec programs installed on the computer.

"To download the removal tools and to remove the remnants of the
Symantec programs installed on the computer, I suggest you to
follow the steps provided in the document linked below:

"Title: 'Using the Norton removal tool: Solution 2'
Document ID: 2006031710323113
Web URL:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support.../docid/2006031
71032311
3?Open&src=con_ols_nam"


Symantec's solution requires Windows functionality which I do not
have. I wrote back to Symantec and was given another solution
that again requires Windows functionality. I gave up on Symantec
Technical Support.

I then went to Microsoft's Windows 98 technical support Knowledge
Base and read the following Articles:

184075 Description of Microsoft System Information
(Msinfo32.exe) Tool

188867 Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems

281965 How to Troubleshoot Using the Msconfig Utility with
Windows 98

192926 How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98

250928 How to reinstall Windows 98

Regarding these articles, "Msconfig32.exe" does not work in
command mode. So, I ran "scanreg/restore" and restored the
registry to a time before these problems arose. I received
essentially the same error messages when starting up. I did a
"scanreg.exe" check and received the response that the registry
was O.K.

At this point, I tried everything I feel comfortable trying. I
have a DSL modem and a wireless router connected to the computer
with the problems. My Internet connectivity is still working and
I'm reluctant to try anything that might disrupt the Internet
service.

I installed many software programs and new hardware (CD-ROM,
Network Interface Card) over the years and would like to avoid a
reinstall of Windows 98. If anybody could offer a solution that
would avoid a Windows Reinstall or allow most of my installed
programs to remain, I would be most appreciative.

Thanks for taking the time to read this long message. All
replies are welcome.

Then, try a different AV program. My own preference is Avast!
(www.avast.com), but each to his own.

Seconded, and use Win ME defragger, 98's version is useless.

Gekko wrote:
Then, try a different AV program. My own preference is Avast!
(www.avast.com), but each to his own.

Seconded, and use Win ME defragger, 98's version is useless.

Useless? I understand it's slower than the ME version, but other than
that, what's wrong with it?

--
Dave

I thought I should hang on to this tread with another question related to the
defragmentation function. The defragg process on my PC takes for ever and the
reasons as I observe it, is that every 3-5 min it seems like the station is
reset and the message "information on the stations was changed" appeare and
the defragg starts over again. Do you know what this could be? The defragg
has been going on for almost 24 hours now with little progress. (I'm using
W98SE)

"Daave" wrote:

Gekko wrote:
Then, try a different AV program. My own preference is Avast!
(www.avast.com), but each to his own.

Seconded, and use Win ME defragger, 98's version is useless.

Useless? I understand it's slower than the ME version, but other than
that, what's wrong with it?

--
Dave