I am using an HP Pavilion computer with Windows 98 installed. This computer is not and has never been connected to the internet. I have one program from 1990 that is DOS based, so I USUALLY shut down from Windows by choosing "Restart in MS-DOS". The LAST time I was WORKING in Windows, I was working in Quicken. After backing up my files, I went to shut down but selected "Restart" in error. In the process of shutting down, the ACTIVE desktop was messed up and the Active Desktop Recovery came up. I tried to restore the active desktop but the screen froze up. I tried all the normal ways of shutting down and finally had to unplug the CPU.

Now, I restart and it opens in Dos. I type "exit" and it goes to the opening page of Windows then immediately reverts to the Dos prompt. I am able to open using "Safe Mode" but cannot get it to open normally.

Any suggestions?Welcome to the CH forums.

Try running sfc in safe mode, it might help. You must have your genuine Windows cd ready.

Good luckType cd\Windows...
At the Windows prompt type Win and hit Enter.
What HAPPENS now ? ?Good morning! Typing Win made no difference.

When I was trying to solve the problem last night, I went into the Windows troubleshooting mode. The direction was to go to the Windows start up window in Dos, choose the command to approve each command individually, but to enter NO when the commands for config.sys and autoexec.bat came up. I did that. Now, whether I use Exit or Win, it goes to the Windows start up menu in Dos. I type Win and I get the message that I am running in MS-DOS and do I want to return to Windows to run applications. I say yes and it goes to the Windows banner screen and then back to the windows start up screen in Dos.SFC info is here..

Good luck