"Explorer" has performed an illegal op--workaround?

Hello, I have Windows 98 running on a dell computer. Just need to get some
files out of "my docs" before the machione is retired.

Computer starts up then I get a red-circle X with "Explorer" in the title
bar saying "This program has performed an illegal op. If the problems
persists..." The computer is then FROZEN can't click on anything. Only way to
get back to this SAME place is to turn of the machine and let it start up
again. Stuck.

Is there any way to get past this point so I can access the files. Or, as an
alternative what is the best way to access files on your computer just to
save them?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

Tim

Further info: when i click on 'details' it says "Explorer caused an invalid
page fault in module CRYPT32.DLL at 0167:5cf38847." Does this help?

Tim

"Tim" wrote:

Hello, I have Windows 98 running on a dell computer. Just need to get some
files out of "my docs" before the machione is retired.

Computer starts up then I get a red-circle X with "Explorer" in the title
bar saying "This program has performed an illegal op. If the problems
persists..." The computer is then FROZEN can't click on anything. Only way to
get back to this SAME place is to turn of the machine and let it start up
again. Stuck.

Is there any way to get past this point so I can access the files. Or, as an
alternative what is the best way to access files on your computer just to
save them?

Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

Tim

"Tim" wrote in message
...
Hello, I have Windows 98 running on a dell computer. Just need to get some
files out of "my docs" before the machione is retired.

Computer starts up then I get a red-circle X with "Explorer" in the title
bar saying "This program has performed an illegal op. If the problems
persists..." The computer is then FROZEN can't click on anything. Only way
to
get back to this SAME place is to turn of the machine and let it start up
again. Stuck.



If the files are small enough to put on a floppy or two...
see if you can boot to safe mode...

otherwise maybe it would be easier to just slave the drive into another
machine

thank you philo. it does the same freeze in safe boot mode. i have a new
computer right next to the old machine--can you tell me how to "slave the
drive" into the new machine?

thanks so much.

Tim

"philo" wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
...
Hello, I have Windows 98 running on a dell computer. Just need to get some
files out of "my docs" before the machione is retired.

Computer starts up then I get a red-circle X with "Explorer" in the title
bar saying "This program has performed an illegal op. If the problems
persists..." The computer is then FROZEN can't click on anything. Only way
to
get back to this SAME place is to turn of the machine and let it start up
again. Stuck.



If the files are small enough to put on a floppy or two...
see if you can boot to safe mode...

otherwise maybe it would be easier to just slave the drive into another
machine

"Tim" wrote in message
...
thank you philo. it does the same freeze in safe boot mode. i have a new
computer right next to the old machine--can you tell me how to "slave the
drive" into the new machine?




The easiest thing to do would be to temporarily disconnect the CD or DVD's
on your 2nd IDE cable
....that's the one that does NOT have your harddrive on...
and just put the harddrive from the old machine there.

sorry, i posted this as a new message above...

just did a quick look at this to see if it was something i could handle and
it seems difficult. my new computer is XP and i don't want to do anything to
mess it up. or is it actually pretty easy?

is there any other solution?

Thanks again.

Tim


"philo" wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
...
thank you philo. it does the same freeze in safe boot mode. i have a new
computer right next to the old machine--can you tell me how to "slave the
drive" into the new machine?




The easiest thing to do would be to temporarily disconnect the CD or DVD's
on your 2nd IDE cable
....that's the one that does NOT have your harddrive on...
and just put the harddrive from the old machine there.

"Tim" wrote in message
...
sorry, i posted this as a new message above...

just did a quick look at this to see if it was something i could handle
and
it seems difficult. my new computer is XP and i don't want to do anything
to
mess it up. or is it actually pretty easy?

is there any other solution?



Though i already replied to your other post..
in case it does not show up...all you need is a USB harddrive enclosure


this is an example only

http://www.thetechgeek.com/content/p...=25688&cid=122

Thanks!

Tim

"philo" wrote:


"Tim" wrote in message
...
sorry, i posted this as a new message above...

just did a quick look at this to see if it was something i could handle
and
it seems difficult. my new computer is XP and i don't want to do anything
to
mess it up. or is it actually pretty easy?

is there any other solution?



Though i already replied to your other post..
in case it does not show up...all you need is a USB harddrive enclosure


this is an example only

http://www.thetechgeek.com/content/p...=25688&cid=122