If you're having persistent system problems with a particular Windows 98 PC, you may want to run the System File Checker before taking the bold step of completely reinstalling or restoring Windows.

Launch the Microsoft System Information tool (Msinfo32.exe). From the Tools menu, select System File Checker, or run Sfc.exe from the command prompt. At its default settings, the tool will first check all of the required Windows executables and supporting files for corruption before prompting you to restore any files that it cannot verify as correct.

For this restoration, you will need access to the original .cab files. A default script holds the information used to check the files on your disk against those originally installed from the Install CD. If you change the settings in the System File Checker and wish to restore the defaults, an option is available for reinstalling the original script from the Install CD.