Enable Diagnostic Startup in System Configuration utility. 
(For Win. 98 StartUp/Shutdown problems)

To enable Diagnostic Startup: 

Click Start, and then click Run. 
In the Open box, type Msconfig, and then click OK. 
On the General tab, click Create Backup to back up your current system configuration files with System Configuration utility. 
Click Diagnostic Startup, and then click OK. 
When you are prompted to restart your computer, click OK. 
On the Startup menu, select Step-by-step confirmation. 
When you are prompted to process the Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files, press the ESC key to bypass the files. Press ENTER to load all other items. 

Did It StartUp/Shutdown OK ???   = Yes = continue

Is there a conflict in the Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file? 
To determine whether there is a conflict in the Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file 
1. Click Start, and then click Run. 
2. In the Open box, type Msconfig, and then click OK. 
3. Click Diagnostic Startup. 
4. Click OK. 
5. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click OK. 
If your computer does not start or shut down correctly, determine which line in the Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file is causing the problem. 
To determine which line is causing the problem 
1. Restart the computer. As the computer starts, hold down the CTRL key. 
2. Select Safe Mode from the Startup menu. (It may take the computer longer than usual to start.) 
3. Click Start, and then click Run. 
4. In the Open box, type Msconfig, and then click OK. 
5. Click to clear the check boxes on the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat tabs for lines that do not include Windows icons. 
6. Starting with the Config.sys file, click one line to enable it. 
7. Click OK. 
8. When you are prompted to restart the computer, click OK. 
9. If the computer starts or shuts down correctly now, enable another line, following steps 6 through 8. Continue to enable lines, first in the Config.sys file and then in the Autoexec.bat file until the problem recurs. 
10. Once you have determined which line is causing the problem, contact the manufacturer of the program that is running for more assistance