*.bak are 'backup' files. Some word processors makes a backup copy of the starting file at the beginning of an edit session, and rewrites that file each time a 'save' is executed. Should the computer crash during an editing session, the word processor may be able to take up where it left off, after the computer is restarterd, by using the *.bak files(s). After an edit job is finished and the file closed, often the .bak files are deleted. Also, from the old DOS days, the .bak was a favorite file extension used by file backup software. Often, it was a 'file set' in compressed format, where a group of files had been cocantanated into one file and compressed.

If you can get Windows98 to start in the "safe" mode (pressing the F8 key as mentioned above), open the "recycle bin and look to see if the deleted files are there. They should be if these have not been removed from the recycle bin. If the files are there, merely highlight the file and click on "restore". This will put the file back from whence it came unless you have deleted certain part of the operating system. However, if you deleted files using the old DOS commands, I'm not sure what happens. They may be gone. In any event, you could re-install Windows. I've had to to do that a few times back when I had Win98 SE. Before reinstalling, copy down all of your browser settings. You may loose these on an re-install. It doesn't happen every time, but it is a good practice just in case. I'm not sure what happens to the Windows updates upon a re-install. If you are lucky, Windows will recognize the update copies on the drive and install these. If this does not happen, the next time you go in-line, the Windows updater may begin, or ask to begin downloading a bunch of updates, and this can be a lengthy process over a 'dail-up' connection. Of course, you are aware that MicroSoft stopped supporting Window98 and there will be no new updates save the ones already available. If your equipment is suitable for Windows XP, I recommend moving up to that operating system. It's much better that Win98. One caution, however: Make sure that you have plenty of disk space be you begin the upgrade. A big mess is created if XP fails to finish loading due to not enough disk space. Read the requirements carefully. Upgrading to XP requires a huge temporary file during the upgrade, much larger than one might imagine. Also, a large amount of space is neded to store the old system if the option to retain 'retore old system' is chosen. If your disks are formatted for FAT 16 bit, convert up to at least 32 bit FAT. BUT WAIT! If you need to run old DOS programs, find out how to set this up under XP before you convert. That may be more trouble than its worth. It would be best if you could move away from these if possible. I've had no problem with older software written for Win95/98 when run under XP. I do have an expensive old DOS based finite element analysis program that I can no longer run with XP. If I find that I really need to run this program (for consulting purposes), I'll refresh an old computer and install Win98 SE and this program on it.

You can remove those from the vault, it is great you are cleaning up the computer, but you do not need to do a System Restore that is only if you have a problem, what you need to do is clear all your restore points in case you have a bad one, this is done by turning System Restore off, now reboot the pc and turn System restore on, let us know that you have done this IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE GOOGLE "PURGE SYSTEM RESTORE" Then I want to see if this file is running on the pc(CMTsrvc.exe) using msconfig under the services tab. click start, now in the run box type msconfig, a window opens at the top click Services tab, look at all the services running you will see things like avg ect but please look for this one (CMTsrvc.exe) if it is running to the left put your mouse in the box and renove the check mark at some point you will be asked to restart, go ahead and do that, after you restart a window will poip up sayimg you have used the system configuration utility please place a check mark in the box where it says DO NOT SHOW THIS MESSAGE AGAIN.. Let us know when you completed these steps.

Thank you both for the quick responses ! :-) RC, I didn't want to try that (on my own) only because I was afraid of losing something permanently that I might need later. No matter.... Zep's suggestion did the trick ! I don't know whether it was the safe mode or just the reboot (which I hadn't tried), but the file has been successfully deleted and the RB emptied. Thanks again ! :-)