Windows ME - help disabling startup programs from dos prompt

[jag53]

I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is set
to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on. I
try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that screen
comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a scanreg
/restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open, send
it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from the
DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
that seem to be booting up immediately??

 

[Mart]

What does this "UPS warning program" actually say?

A Google for "UPS warning program" suggests a possible virus infection. Are
you running any sort of antivirus utility - preferably with regularly
updated definitions?

Also, although you say that you 'cannot reboot', can you boot in to Safe
Mode (press [or stab at] F8, Shift or Ctrl keys during power-up)?

If it continually tries to reboot in Safe and/or Normal Mode, is it more
stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?

If necessary, you could try F-Protect for DOS to remove potential viruses :-
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/corporate/virusproblem/howtoclean/howtousefprotfordos.shtml

Mart


"jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
>I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
>set
> to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on.
> I
> try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> screen
> comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> scanreg
> /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> send
> it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from
> the
> DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> that seem to be booting up immediately??

 

[jag53]

Thank you for replying Mart.
I did forget to mention that you can't boot into safe mode either, does the
same thing. I downloaded your f-prot suggestion and copied it over to the
drive. I cannot get it to run because it keeps giving me a notification of
the sign.def is outdated. I downloaded the links on the website and
overwrote the old def. but to no avail I'm afraid., can't get it to run no
matter what I have tried, same old.def error. ho hum! anyother dos scanners
you know of.
And, I didn't even think about googling the UPS notification, that I'm
becoming brain dead on this one. Thank you also for your suggestion there.

"Mart" wrote:

> What does this "UPS warning program" actually say?
>
> A Google for "UPS warning program" suggests a possible virus infection. Are
> you running any sort of antivirus utility - preferably with regularly
> updated definitions?
>
> Also, although you say that you 'cannot reboot', can you boot in to Safe
> Mode (press [or stab at] F8, Shift or Ctrl keys during power-up)?
>
> If it continually tries to reboot in Safe and/or Normal Mode, is it more
> stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?
>
> If necessary, you could try F-Protect for DOS to remove potential viruses :-
> http://support.f-secure.com/enu/corporate/virusproblem/howtoclean/howtousefprotfordos.shtml
>
> Mart
>
>
> "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> >I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
> >set
> > to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on.
> > I
> > try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> > screen
> > comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> > scanreg
> > /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> > system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> > shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> > send
> > it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> > able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from
> > the
> > DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> > that seem to be booting up immediately??
>
>
>

 

[jag53]

Oh wait, I found another spot on the fprot site that may have the newer
definitions. I'll let you know.

"jag53" wrote:

> Thank you for replying Mart.
> I did forget to mention that you can't boot into safe mode either, does the
> same thing. I downloaded your f-prot suggestion and copied it over to the
> drive. I cannot get it to run because it keeps giving me a notification of
> the sign.def is outdated. I downloaded the links on the website and
> overwrote the old def. but to no avail I'm afraid., can't get it to run no
> matter what I have tried, same old.def error. ho hum! anyother dos scanners
> you know of.
> And, I didn't even think about googling the UPS notification, that I'm
> becoming brain dead on this one. Thank you also for your suggestion there.
>
> "Mart" wrote:
>
> > What does this "UPS warning program" actually say?
> >
> > A Google for "UPS warning program" suggests a possible virus infection. Are
> > you running any sort of antivirus utility - preferably with regularly
> > updated definitions?
> >
> > Also, although you say that you 'cannot reboot', can you boot in to Safe
> > Mode (press [or stab at] F8, Shift or Ctrl keys during power-up)?
> >
> > If it continually tries to reboot in Safe and/or Normal Mode, is it more
> > stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?
> >
> > If necessary, you could try F-Protect for DOS to remove potential viruses :-
> > http://support.f-secure.com/enu/corporate/virusproblem/howtoclean/howtousefprotfordos.shtml
> >
> > Mart
> >
> >
> > "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> > >I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
> > >set
> > > to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on.
> > > I
> > > try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> > > screen
> > > comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> > > scanreg
> > > /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> > > system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> > > shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> > > send
> > > it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> > > able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from
> > > the
> > > DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> > > that seem to be booting up immediately??
> >
> >
> >

 

[jag53]

Well, that didn't work either. The definitions are from 2007 and it won't go
any further witht he scan. Any other thoughts?
"jag53" wrote:

> Oh wait, I found another spot on the fprot site that may have the newer
> definitions. I'll let you know.
>
> "jag53" wrote:
>
> > Thank you for replying Mart.
> > I did forget to mention that you can't boot into safe mode either, does the
> > same thing. I downloaded your f-prot suggestion and copied it over to the
> > drive. I cannot get it to run because it keeps giving me a notification of
> > the sign.def is outdated. I downloaded the links on the website and
> > overwrote the old def. but to no avail I'm afraid., can't get it to run no
> > matter what I have tried, same old.def error. ho hum! anyother dos scanners
> > you know of.
> > And, I didn't even think about googling the UPS notification, that I'm
> > becoming brain dead on this one. Thank you also for your suggestion there.
> >
> > "Mart" wrote:
> >
> > > What does this "UPS warning program" actually say?
> > >
> > > A Google for "UPS warning program" suggests a possible virus infection. Are
> > > you running any sort of antivirus utility - preferably with regularly
> > > updated definitions?
> > >
> > > Also, although you say that you 'cannot reboot', can you boot in to Safe
> > > Mode (press [or stab at] F8, Shift or Ctrl keys during power-up)?
> > >
> > > If it continually tries to reboot in Safe and/or Normal Mode, is it more
> > > stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?
> > >
> > > If necessary, you could try F-Protect for DOS to remove potential viruses :-
> > > http://support.f-secure.com/enu/corporate/virusproblem/howtoclean/howtousefprotfordos.shtml
> > >
> > > Mart
> > >
> > >
> > > "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> > > >I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
> > > >set
> > > > to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on.
> > > > I
> > > > try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> > > > screen
> > > > comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> > > > scanreg
> > > > /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> > > > system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> > > > shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> > > > send
> > > > it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> > > > able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from
> > > > the
> > > > DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> > > > that seem to be booting up immediately??
> > >
> > >
> > >

 

[Mart]

Addendum - Just spotted your recent posts - for the moment don't worry about
F-Protect.

Hmm.. jag53 wrote :-

> ... can't boot into safe mode either, does the
> same thing. (.. just starts to open, send it to an immediate reboot.?)

If so, then you need to determine if the problem really is caused by
'issues' on the HDD (viruses?, or faulty HDD perhaps??) or whether the
problem is hardware (Mobo, memory, heat related, etc.)

Before you go any further confirm my previous question :-

> is it more
> stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?

Boot with the start-up floppy disk and let it continue until (eventually -
extra 30 seconds) the DOS style 'Help' pages appear. Let it sit for a while
(occasionally Scrolling - Page Up/Down - for a while longer and confirm that
it doesn't re-boot itself.

If all seems well with that test, you *might* have a failing HDD. Close
(exit out of) the 'Help' pages and at the A:> prompt, run scandisk (scandisk
c - note the space between k and c and the colon after the c.

If you have valuable data stored on your C: drive, DO NOT let scandisk do a
'Surface scan' until you've copied your data elsewhere, but just let it
report any problems and revue your next strategy.

Mart


"jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6E52AD02-FE4E-438C-85CF-C8A80E9A5DB2@microsoft.com...
> Thank you for replying Mart.
> I did forget to mention that you can't boot into safe mode either, does
> the
> same thing. I downloaded your f-prot suggestion and copied it over to the
> drive. I cannot get it to run because it keeps giving me a notification
> of
> the sign.def is outdated. I downloaded the links on the website and
> overwrote the old def. but to no avail I'm afraid., can't get it to run no
> matter what I have tried, same old.def error. ho hum! anyother dos
> scanners
> you know of.
> And, I didn't even think about googling the UPS notification, that I'm
> becoming brain dead on this one. Thank you also for your suggestion
> there.
>
> "Mart" wrote:
>
>> What does this "UPS warning program" actually say?
>>
>> A Google for "UPS warning program" suggests a possible virus infection.
>> Are
>> you running any sort of antivirus utility - preferably with regularly
>> updated definitions?
>>
>> Also, although you say that you 'cannot reboot', can you boot in to Safe
>> Mode (press [or stab at] F8, Shift or Ctrl keys during power-up)?
>>
>> If it continually tries to reboot in Safe and/or Normal Mode, is it more
>> stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?
>>
>> If necessary, you could try F-Protect for DOS to remove potential viruses
>> :-
>> http://support.f-secure.com/enu/corporate/virusproblem/howtoclean/howtousefprotfordos.shtml
>>
>> Mart
>>
>>
>> "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
>> >I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
>> >set
>> > to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes
>> > on.
>> > I
>> > try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
>> > screen
>> > comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
>> > scanreg
>> > /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
>> > system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
>> > shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
>> > send
>> > it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but
>> > was
>> > able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access
>> > from
>> > the
>> > DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable
>> > some
>> > that seem to be booting up immediately??
>>
>>
>>

 

[Ben Myers]

"jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is set
> to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on. I
> try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that screen
> comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a scanreg
> /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open, send
> it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from the
> DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> that seem to be booting up immediately??

If the computer won't start in Safe mode, try reinstalling Windows by
starting the computer with a boot floppy and typing
"C:\Windows\Options\Install\setup" at the "A:\" prompt.

Ben

 

[Mart]

Ben suggested :-

> ... try reinstalling Windows by
> starting the computer with a boot floppy and typing
> "C:\Windows\Options\Install\setup" at the "A:\" prompt.

An 'over-install' on an existing copy of WinMe is NOT recommended.

You will undoubtedly end up with a 'version soup' (due to previous updates -
IE6 and Media Player and other WU's for example) which will cause far more
problems than you have already.

Try the other suggestions first and only as a last resort re-install as a
'Clean Install' i.e on a reformatted (or at least an empty, or 'wiped' of
all folders or files) HDD. Do NOT over-install.

Mart



"Ben Myers" <benjmyer@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message
news:%232fYps4LJHA.2348@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
"jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
> set
> to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on.
> I
> try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> screen
> comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> scanreg
> /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> send
> it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from
> the
> DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> that seem to be booting up immediately??

If the computer won't start in Safe mode, try reinstalling Windows by
starting the computer with a boot floppy and typing
"C:\Windows\Options\Install\setup" at the "A:\" prompt.

Ben

 

[jag53]

thank you for replying again. found this system doesn't have a virus
because it never goes to the internet (imagine that today), and she actually
does have a UPS monitoring software so that is all legitimate. I hooked up a
second drive and booted to that, copying over everything relevant from the ME
drive. I've done a scandisk, defrag and the owner is willing to just go
ahead and upgrade to Win Home XP, she was fine with doing that as long as her
data was saved. Just hate to let the system beat me like that you know. I
appreciate your assistance and knowledge. Thank you
"Mart" wrote:

> Addendum - Just spotted your recent posts - for the moment don't worry about
> F-Protect.
>
> Hmm.. jag53 wrote :-
>
> > ... can't boot into safe mode either, does the
> > same thing. (.. just starts to open, send it to an immediate reboot.?)
>
> If so, then you need to determine if the problem really is caused by
> 'issues' on the HDD (viruses?, or faulty HDD perhaps??) or whether the
> problem is hardware (Mobo, memory, heat related, etc.)
>
> Before you go any further confirm my previous question :-
>
> > is it more
> > stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?
>
> Boot with the start-up floppy disk and let it continue until (eventually -
> extra 30 seconds) the DOS style 'Help' pages appear. Let it sit for a while
> (occasionally Scrolling - Page Up/Down - for a while longer and confirm that
> it doesn't re-boot itself.
>
> If all seems well with that test, you *might* have a failing HDD. Close
> (exit out of) the 'Help' pages and at the A:> prompt, run scandisk (scandisk
> c - note the space between k and c and the colon after the c.
>
> If you have valuable data stored on your C: drive, DO NOT let scandisk do a
> 'Surface scan' until you've copied your data elsewhere, but just let it
> report any problems and revue your next strategy.
>
> Mart
>
>
> "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6E52AD02-FE4E-438C-85CF-C8A80E9A5DB2@microsoft.com...
> > Thank you for replying Mart.
> > I did forget to mention that you can't boot into safe mode either, does
> > the
> > same thing. I downloaded your f-prot suggestion and copied it over to the
> > drive. I cannot get it to run because it keeps giving me a notification
> > of
> > the sign.def is outdated. I downloaded the links on the website and
> > overwrote the old def. but to no avail I'm afraid., can't get it to run no
> > matter what I have tried, same old.def error. ho hum! anyother dos
> > scanners
> > you know of.
> > And, I didn't even think about googling the UPS notification, that I'm
> > becoming brain dead on this one. Thank you also for your suggestion
> > there.
> >
> > "Mart" wrote:
> >
> >> What does this "UPS warning program" actually say?
> >>
> >> A Google for "UPS warning program" suggests a possible virus infection.
> >> Are
> >> you running any sort of antivirus utility - preferably with regularly
> >> updated definitions?
> >>
> >> Also, although you say that you 'cannot reboot', can you boot in to Safe
> >> Mode (press [or stab at] F8, Shift or Ctrl keys during power-up)?
> >>
> >> If it continually tries to reboot in Safe and/or Normal Mode, is it more
> >> stable if you boot from the floppy start-up disk?
> >>
> >> If necessary, you could try F-Protect for DOS to remove potential viruses
> >> :-
> >> http://support.f-secure.com/enu/corporate/virusproblem/howtoclean/howtousefprotfordos.shtml
> >>
> >> Mart
> >>
> >>
> >> "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> >> >I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
> >> >set
> >> > to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes
> >> > on.
> >> > I
> >> > try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> >> > screen
> >> > comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> >> > scanreg
> >> > /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> >> > system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> >> > shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> >> > send
> >> > it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but
> >> > was
> >> > able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access
> >> > from
> >> > the
> >> > DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable
> >> > some
> >> > that seem to be booting up immediately??
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

 

[jag53]

Thank you for your reply. I might give this a try this evening. Thank you
"Mart" wrote:

> Ben suggested :-
>
> > ... try reinstalling Windows by
> > starting the computer with a boot floppy and typing
> > "C:\Windows\Options\Install\setup" at the "A:\" prompt.
>
> An 'over-install' on an existing copy of WinMe is NOT recommended.
>
> You will undoubtedly end up with a 'version soup' (due to previous updates -
> IE6 and Media Player and other WU's for example) which will cause far more
> problems than you have already.
>
> Try the other suggestions first and only as a last resort re-install as a
> 'Clean Install' i.e on a reformatted (or at least an empty, or 'wiped' of
> all folders or files) HDD. Do NOT over-install.
>
> Mart
>
>
>
> "Ben Myers" <benjmyer@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message
> news:%232fYps4LJHA.2348@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> "jag53" <jag53@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:76E9FE93-47C8-485C-98DD-CBD89E8BEB26@microsoft.com...
> > I am working on a Windows ME system, that I cannot get to reboot. It is
> > set
> > to immediately scanreg, then has this UPS warning program that comes on.
> > I
> > try to get into msconfig immediately upon reboot but by the time that
> > screen
> > comes up it sends the system into immediate reboot again. I did a
> > scanreg
> > /restore back to a previous date but has not helped. Also went into
> > system.ini from dos prompt and changed shell=explorer.exe to
> > shell=progman.exe. It gets to the progman.exe and just starts to open,
> > send
> > it to an immediate reboot. Do not have system CD for Windows ME, but was
> > able to create the start up disc. Any idea what file I could access from
> > the
> > DOS prompt that I can edit that startup programs and possible disable some
> > that seem to be booting up immediately??
>
> If the computer won't start in Safe mode, try reinstalling Windows by
> starting the computer with a boot floppy and typing
> "C:\Windows\Options\Install\setup" at the "A:\" prompt.
>
> Ben
>
>
>