Cant open Microsoft Office Suite

[scarletpimp]

My 5 year old has been playing online games. Now, I can't open Word, Excel etc.......

Is it something he's accidentally downloaded? I've restarted about 6 times. I've run Spybot, I've run Norton anti-virus.

How do I get the office suite to open!?

Thanks

.

[Buenchico]

The first thing to try has to be System Restore. If you need help with this (or if it doesn't work) then just post again.

Chris

[scarletpimp]

Can't find "system restore" - where can I find it?

Thanks

PS - I'm running windows 98

[Buenchico]

(Posted in 2 parts):
Oh, that could be a problem. I like Windows 98 but I've got a horrible feeling that it was the last version of Windows before System Restore was introduced. (To check, go to Start>Help and ask Windows to look for 'Restore' - but I've still got that nasty feeling!).

If not, you might have to boot from a floppy and try running scanreg/restore. (This should fix the problem if it's due to a corrupt registry entry but might not help otherwise). The first question is 'Have you got a startup disk?'. Hopefully, you will have but, if not, here's how to make one:
Put a blank floppy in the drive. Go to the Control Panel. (The route should be something like Start>Settings>Control Panel). Double-click 'Add/Remove programs. Click the Startup Disk tab. Then click 'Create Disk'. (I'm having to work this out using Windows Me. If none of that makes sense, just go to 'Help' and look for 'startup disk'. Then follow the instructions).

[Buenchico]

(2nd Part):
OK, now you've got a startup disk (or maybe you had one anyway). Leave it in the drive and reboot your computer. If I remember correctly, Windows 98 automatically boots from the floppy. If not (and you get to your normal desktop) reboot yet again and try holding down the F8 key. Eventually you should get to a DOS screen which shows that it's reading drive A. Type scanreg/restore and hit enter. The system will offer you some recent dates. Select the last date on which your PC worked OK and hit enter. Eventually you will get a message saying your registry has been restored. (I think you need to hit enter again). When you get back to the screen telling you that the system is reading from drive A, type C: and hit enter. The screen should now show that it's reading from drive C. Type win and hit enter. Windows 98 should now load. Hopefully, your problem will be fixed. If not, it's probably time to re-install Office.

I'll keep checking this thread to see how you're getting on.

Chris

[Buenchico]

EEK! I think I might have forgotten something! When you boot from your floppy you might first get offered the choice of various options, such as 'Boot with CD support', etc. Just use the up/down arrow keys to select 'Minimal boot' and hit enter.

Then carry on as I said before. (It's possible that when you get to the very end of what I've suggested above you might need to reboot before your CD drive will work).

Chris

[Buenchico]

I think my brain's working backwards! (So no change there, then!). Even before you get to the screen I mentioned below, you might be offered the choice of which drive to boot from. Just choose the floppy drive option.

Sorry about all of the confusion!

Chris

[scarletpimp]

Thanks Chris -I'll give it a go.

Cheers