Help....Add/Remove programs in Win 95

[Kwazyace]

A client uninstalled a couple of essential programs within the add/remove programs menu. Now I not only cannot access or view/add any programs in windows setup tab, but there is also no network settings available to view or add either. As a result , I cannot install a dial up adapter for online access. In an effort to avoid a clean install, is there any way to re-install maybe microsoft networking, or any options within network and add/remove programs at all? What a nightmare!
Thanks, all!

[CMonster]

If you cannot access the Windows Setup then it sounds like your client was into more than just add remove programs - like deleting files directly from the hard disk.

Place the Windows CDROM in the drive - does it autorun? You may be able to add/remove programs and/or access Windows Setup from the screen it displays.

I would try a reinstall of Windows over the top of itself - you shouldn't have to do a "clean" install and loose everything on your hard disk.

However sometimes it is more of a chore to reinstall, what with having to reinstall all the updates and patches, current versions of I.E., Dx7 and what have ya...

[Kwazyace]

CMonster, that would be perfect- but when I run setup from the 95 disk it seems to only offer a clean install. How can I choose an "over" install to avoid losing everything?

[CMonster]

If this is a standard Windows 95 CD and not some emergency restore disk, if you boot to DOS (assumes you have a valid DOS CDROM driver in autoexec.bat and config.sys), or use a boot disk with CDROM support, just got to the CDROM drive and start setup - as in d:setup press enter, put the product serial number in when prompted, and it will ask if you want to install in C:\windows - simply say yes and it will install Windows over itself and maintain your current settings - I recommend you choose to install all the options you can when given the opportunity - you can uninstall them later if you like. Many times you will be asked if you want to keep a file that is newer then the one being installed - it should be safe to say yes in your case. Some applications, updates, and patches will have to be installed again in order to work correctly. Note: if this is product restore disk you will loose all the existing information on your hard disk.