Welcome to Windows Screen Is Not Displayed After Upgrade (262547)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q262547

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade to Windows 98 or Windows 98 Second Edition, the Welcome screen may not be displayed. If you attempt to start the screen using either of the following methods, an hourglass pointer is displayed and nothing happens:
  • Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Welcome to Windows.
  • Click Start, click Run, type welcome, and then click OK.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because the C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Welcome folder or the Welcome.dat file is missing or damaged.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the System File Checker to extract the Welcome.dat file from the Windows 98 CD-ROM to the C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Welcome folder:
  1. If you installed Windows from the CD-ROM, put the CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. Close the dialog box that is displayed.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type sfc, and then click OK.
  3. Choose the option to extract one file from installation disk, and then click Start.
  4. In the Restore from box, type the path to the Windows 98 folder on the CD-ROM (for example, D:\Win98). If you installed Windows from cabinet files on the hard disk, type the path to the cabinet files (for example, C:\Windows\Options\Cabs).
  5. In the Save file in box, type c:\windows\application data\microsoft\welcome, and then click OK.
  6. If you receive a prompt to create the folder because it does not exist, click Yes.
  7. If the following files are not present in the Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Welcome folder, repeat the previous steps to extract these files from the Windows 98 CD-ROM:

    Default.wbm
    Icw.wbm
    Logo.wbm
    Ms.wbm
    Regwiz.wbm
    Tour.wbm
    Tuneup.wbm
    Welcom98.wav
    Weldata.exe

  8. Close the System File Checker.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb KB262547
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.