System File Checker is a utility in Windows 98 which repairs damaged or corrupted system files. Your system can be scanned for all corrupted files or if you have received a "blue screen of death" and a specific file is listed as the culprit that file can be restored. This utility is especially helpful if your machine exhibits odd behavior upon installing an application. If you uninstall the application in question and the problem persists running this utility will inform you of the files the application changed, restore them and your machine should return to normal operation.

1. Click select Programs Accessories System Tools System Information.

The following screen appears:



 

2. Click Tools and the following menu appears:

   

    

3. Click System File Checker.

   The following screen appears:

   

4. Click Settings and the following screen appears:

   

    

   NOTE: If you suspect a recently installed or un-installed application is causing problems with your system files we suggest you select Check for Changed Files also.

5. Configure your screen to look exactly like the screen above, click Apply, click OK.

1. If you want all of your system files to be scanned click Start.

If a corrupted file is found a screen similar to the following appears:



 

Note: Pay close attention to the Location(Path) of the file, in the example above it is C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM. You will need this information in the next step.

POSSIBLE ERROR MESSAGE:



 

2. Click OK

   The following screen appears:

   

   On most computer systems from companies such as Dell, Compaq, IBM, etc., a directory exists on your hard drive which contains cabinet files (cab files) which store windows installation files. By default this directory is located at C:\Windows\Options\Cabs. If this directory does not exist place your Windows 98 cd into the cd rom drive and browse to the Win98 folder. So if your cdrom drive letter was D: you would type D:\Win98 for the path in the Save File In section of the window.

3. Type the appropriate directory path in the space beside Restore From:

   The appropriate directory path should appear in the space beside Save File In:

    

4. Click OK
5. If a dialog box pops up and asks if you want to keep a backup of the file, click OK.

   

   The following screen may appear if this is your first time launching this utility.

   

6. Click Yes.

7. 

   The following screen appears:

   

8. Click Yes.

9. If more than one file needs to be updated repeat the process until the following screen appears.

   

10. Click OK.
11. You may be asked to reboot your system.