win95 restore problem

I have an HP Pavilion with Win 95, 2 hdds, 32 mb RAM. Problem is only use it occasionally. So, I cleaned the dust out of it, put it back together and some programs weren't working right. I used the restore disk OEM - and formatted C: drive and restored the original system. Problem is that OEM disk contained many programs that are now obsolete - such as Quicken SE; IE3, and software for a sound card and modem that have been replaced. Now, could not get config.sys to work to remove old programs. Tried Add/Remove, but that was very limited. So, I copied MSconfig from my newer 'puter with WinME onto a cd and tried to install this in my Win95, so I could edit out obsolete stuff, but the system rejects MSConfig and get the 'Performed illegal act" message. Also, used cd of new sound card, but get message no sound installed and it freezes (conflict?) - even tho device mgr shows the new soundblaster card and Music cd's play fine. I have downloaded latest Tweak UI into new system, but haven't copied it and used it on Win95 yet. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Previously, I was Norm67, but now am Norm69. All help welcome, Norm69

You can edit your config.sys and autoexec.bat using notepad.
Just chose "all Files" If you know what you are doing you need only delete the statements that are no longer necessary and save the file.
Both these files can also be edited in DOS by typing:
C:\edit config.sys or C:\edit autoexec.bat

I have to re-install HP laptops fairly often.

I have found it easier let the reinstall complete then boot into safe mode.
Remove all devices that are definately unused. Things like graphics / sound cards tend to be replaced.

reboot and let windows find the devices it wants.


Not all nudes is good nudes.:eek:

Thanks to both that responded with advice. I used both, the notepad method and the safemode method. Now, I have a "?" by other devices - and when I expand that, it indicates it is a PCI card for which correct drivers are needed. But, the soundblaster and modem - both new PCI additions are listed and device manager says they are working properly. One thing that did not work is the DOS suggestion about c:\ edit config.sys, etc. I will probably remove the PCI device with ? and then see if it is the sound card, or the modem - and will reinstall both of them.
I think I can fix it from here with a little patience and trial and error. This Forum is excellent to get one's brain working. I wish to thank both, NorthernBloke and Tiberiuscan for the help.
Norm 69

Anything in Other Devices must be removed before you can try to install the device again. If a device tries to install and fails, it ends up here. If it is listed here, Windows won't try to install it each time you start.

If everything is working normally, there will be no Other Devices heading. If the device (sound card, modem, cdrom) is listed in Other Devices , you will not be able to install it manually either. Windows will not try to use it.
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Dennis
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"One thing that did not work is the DOS suggestion about c:\ edit config.sys, etc."
try
edit c:\autoexec.bat
edit c:\config.sys
c:\ edit config.sys doesn't work because edit.com is in c:\windows\command
Sorry tiberiuscan not trying to nitpick just wanted Norm69 to know why it didn't work. I'm sure it was just a typo and nobody makes more typos than me :}

Thanks - Always Learning - actually, I should have thought of that 'edit c:\config.sys, but sometimes I am not sure about making changes. One thing I probably need a better 'uninstaller' program, cause the Add/Remove leaves a lot to be desired - and doesn't even list a lot of the programs I am trying to remove. It is hard to remove every part of these programs - like the OEM sound program. Now I still have parts left. My Device Mgr is straightened out since I removed the program next to the ?other devices and removed and reinstalled the modem and sound programs. Since sound and modem seem ok, I hesitate to manually remove the sub-program parts of the OEM sound such as CS423. Lastly, thanks to all that gave me different ways to fix the problem I had. Norm69

If you look in the directories of programs that you want to remove, you may find an uninstll.ini or an unwise.ini or, possibly, and install.log. The previous two are usually entered in the registry when you install a program. In an OEM that install is skipped. So the program doesn't show in uninstall. These file may uninstall the programs or let you know what to delete.

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Dennis
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I have almost finished with the removals/deletions - but, am not sure on one item. When I begin the boot sequence - I hit F8 and select the step-by-step confirmation - as I am going through that I see a remark 'can't find Crystal chip.' What bothers me is that Crystal is the name of the old, removed sound card and software. Its the term 'chip' that bothers me. If I remove it, will there be any ramnifications? I am seeing the SoundBlaster sound card reflected in the DOS area of AutoExec.bat. So, my question is, should I finish removing/deleting all references to the old Crystal sound card from Config.sys - save, and reboot - then if no sound - remove and reinstall the soundblaster software? Line deletion is the only way to get rid of pieces of these programs as there is only individual part here and there. Thanks again.
Norm69

This is a driver for a sound card with a Crystal chip on it. You can remove the line from config.sys however it is always safer to put rem or ;; in front of the line then reboot to be sure there will be no problems if you remove a line from your config.sys or autoexec.bat files.