Trying to troubleshoot a friend’s Dell, with Win98 on it. His description of the problem is: " Start/Programs are not available, Outlook Express will start up but has no messages in any sub-folder."
Aside from the obvious explanation that something is missing, and that he needs to quit using Outlook (which I’ve told him already), what other info do you guys need from him? I’m completely stumped, as I don’t know what liauto.exe is, and google comes up with nothing when I google it.
Since Google returns zero hits on it, either you’ve mistyped the filename or it’s a nonissue. If that is the correct filename, chances are it’s just some bit of malware or a minor component of some third-rate piece of software, and its absence is not likely to be the source of the problems. You might have your buddy run Hijack This! and post the log here, so we can have a look at it. Other than that, is backing up personal files, reformatting and running a system restore CD an option? Sometimes, you just need a fresh start.
Per what QED said - The two problems mentioned are not (usually) related nor would they normally be caused by a missing binary. It sounds like virus damage or damaged binaries (however it happened). Save desired data (if possible) - Format and re-install is your best bet.
normally be caused by a common missing binary.
One thing you can try short of a reformat is to uise 98’s System File Checker. Since you can’t get to Start > Programs, if you can get to Start > Run, then type SYSINFO and hit enter. Go to the Tools Menu and select System File Checker. Have your 98 CD handy, and tell SFC to check for altered or currupted files. If it finds any missing or damaged system files, it will prompt you to replace them from the installation CD.