windows programs won't launch

[MattJ812]

---

Hello,

A friend of mine is asking him to help him with his computer, I'll cut to the chase I have never seen this before and I have no idea what is going on.

He is using windows 98, my computer will not launch, control panel will not launch internet explorer will not launch, it seems like anything windows is dead, any other installed applications on his desktop launch fine.

I tried plugging his drive into my computer and scanning for malware which it found 30 some but it did not fix the problem.

Everything works in safe mode, any ideas what is causing this?

Thanks.

[bigBonehead]

Um... yeah.

"...scanning for malware which it found 30 some but it did not fix the problem..."

Have your friend boot into safe mode with networking, download, update and run this: Malwarebytes

[MattJ812]

There is no option to boot into safe mode with networking on 98 that I see, its been so long since I have used it. I ran a full scan with malwarebytes with his drive connected to my PC. The first time it said it had to reboot to get rid of all objects but for some reason my computer tried to boot from his drive so I had to stop it. A second scan reveals no malicious objects but still the same.

EDIT - I almost forgot, I put the malwarebytes installer on his drive but it won't run on 98, needs NT 4.0 or later.