OK guys, thanks for the replies. I printed out all of your info and took with me to the poor computer. I now know a bit more about the problem than I did last night.

I copied Kernel32.dll onto a disk and brought it along. It would not let me replace the file in safe mode, so I did it from DOS. It did not change any of the problem.

Something I negected to mention - when the computer starts, it shows a black screen, then the pointer, then the wallpaper, then in plays the sound, and then it displays a box which says "Updating shortcuts - Programs - Startup." This box is displayed for only about half a second. It is at this point that the computer dies. It stops and does nothing more. If I press Ctrl-Alt-Delete, I see the following:
Explorer
Msgloop
Msg-something (I think it is Msgserver32)

I poked around on the computer (in safe mode) and discovered - yes - a virus! It is known as "KAK.Worm." I quickly got on the Internet on a laptop computer they have and found removal info from Norton AntiVirus' website. I then discovered the worm on the laptop, too. I freed both computers from the worm, but the problem did not change on the PC.

I think that the problem is related to the "Updating shortcuts" message in some way. I am not sure if it is related to the worm, though.

So, I've decided to re-install Windows 98, unless someone can offer more suggestions. If I install Windows over itself, will it erase their personal files, or should I back them up? Also, they have a CDRW, which would seem to be good for backing up files, but the CD Drive doesn't show up in Safe Mode. I also can't seem to get to work from DOS. any suggestions there?

If there's any suggestions or helps anyone has - I'd love to hear them...

Allen

[Edited by Allen Schoessler on 11-22-2000 at 11:30 PM]