Error Message When You Start Computer: Cannot Find the File Setup98.exe (or One of Its Components) (306489)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q306489
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you start your computer, you may receive one of the following error messages:
Cannot find the file "setup98.exe" (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.

-or-

Could not load or run 'setup98.exe'. A specified file in your win.ini could not be found.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Setup98.exe program file is referenced in the Win.ini file or Startup group but is not installed on your computer.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the following methods in the order presented, as necessary.

Method 1: Edit the Win.ini File

  1. Click Start, click Run, type sysedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
  2. Select the Win.ini window.
  3. Under the Windows section, select the Run= line.
  4. Place a semicolon character (;) at the beginning of the line that contains "setup98.exe."
  5. On the File menu, click Save, and then click Exit on the File menu.
  6. Restart the computer.

Method 2: Remove Setup98.exe from the Startup Group

NOTE: Items in the Startup group can load from either the registry or the Startup folder.
  1. Click Start, point to Programs, and then point to Startup.
  2. Right-click Setup98.exe if it appears in the Startup folder, and then click Delete.
  3. Click Yes when prompted for verification that you want to delete the shortcut.
  4. Click Start, and then click Run.
  5. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

  6. In Registry Editor, expand the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

  7. On the Registry menu, click Export Registry File.
  8. In the Export Registry File dialog box, type Run Key in the File name box, and then click Save.

    The selected key is saved.
  9. In the right pane of the Registry Editor window, right-click Setup98.exe, and then click Delete on the shortcut menu that appears.
  10. Click Yes in response to the "Confirm Value Delete" message that appears.
  11. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB306489
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