WordPad does not run due to corrupt Registry.
Cause:
The Registry file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT has become corrupt. This may be caused by unsuccessful shutdown or sudden power loss.
Solution:
The following task should be performed by a qualified computer technician.
Restore the Registry. Reboot to MS-DOS. Remove the attributes and rename the System.dat and System.da0 files. Rename the System.1st file to System.dat and restart Windows.
WARNING: This procedure should be performed by an advanced Windows 95 user. Before making any modification to the Registry, be sure to make backup copies of the Registry files System.dat and User.dat. Using the Registry Editor and modifying the Registry incorrectly could cause serious problems that may require the reinstallation of Windows 95. For more information about the Registry Editor or the Registry, please refer to the online Help topics.
1) Shut down Windows and restart in MS-DOS mode.
a) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
b) Select 'Shut Down...'. (The 'Shut Down Windows' dialog box appears.)
c) Select 'Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode'.
Shut Down Windows
d) Click 'Yes'.
2) Change to the root directory:
EXAMPLE: Type CD\ to get the C:\ prompt to appear.
3) Remove the attributes for the System.dat files by typing the following and pressing ENTER after each line:
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DA0
ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\SYSTEM.1ST
(C:\ represents the root drive and can be replaced by the appropriate drive letter.)
4) Rename the System.dat and System.da0 files by typing the following and pressing ENTER after each line:
REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.111
REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DA0 C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DA1
5) Copy the System.1st file referred to in step 3) over the System.dat file by typing the following and pressing ENTER:
COPY C:\SYSTEM.1ST C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT
6) Reset the following file attributes by typing the following and pressing ENTER after each line:
ATTRIB +H +R +S C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT
ATTRIB +H +R +S C:\SYSTEM.1ST
7) Restart Windows. (The system boots to the original configuration.)
NOTE: The user settings are maintained when using the above procedure, since they are stored in the file User.dat.
