Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and
out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win HyMem, Win.com and something. It told me to run SYSREG I believe to sort of scan the machine to find out what was wrong. It wouldn't do that, it would go to Sys Scan but would just sit there, nothing on the page but "System Scan" and nothing moving, showing progress, etc. Let it do that for a LONG time then stopped it. Tried again to start in Safe Mode, took me to Startup Options (and also list of info computer info, etc.). Tried everything and nothing worked. I then tried to start it up with the Win 98 disk in D drive, just came up files missing or corrupted, RetryAbort...something something. When I tried to type in retry it just kept reshowing the same line mentioned just above. Desperate, I even put in an AOL disk in D drive and restarted computer - figured the ever hungry AOL giant would make ANYTHING work just to get another client. Did nothing but show the removeabort retry message. Now that is all that will come up on the screen, don't even get the Windows startup options page. I WOULD reinstall Win. 98 if I HAD to just to be able to give the computer to my friend, even though I would lose some info I really wanted to keep. What should I do? First, can anyone help me do some dos commands or something to NOT have to reinstall Win? If so, you would have to help me get out of this loop I am in - I cannot type ANYTHING that works on the missing or corrupt message - abort, retry, delete, etc. Nothing I type clears that, no different way to start the computer gets that off the screen. So, I would have to know what to do to be able to actually get to a place where I could do some dos commands. ORRRR, how can I just reinstall Win. 98? Same problem as above, I can't get anything different on the screen with or without the Win disk in D shutting down and turning back on computer. There is NO screen option given me other than the one error message above that does not respond to it's own question by my trying to type retry or "r" or abort or "a." I want to keep this Win 98 on this computer because it will be up to them to upgrade when they can - I just want them to be able to get on line or open the computer up even if just to play the installed games that comes with it. I know some regarding computers, not technical lingo, per se - you would have to talk very basic with me if you can help. Don't assume I know where something is if you suggest I use it or type it. As soon as I can get this computer up I will give it to my friend who is very excited and anxiously waiting for it. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks much. Arlykat |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
"Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win HyMem, Win.com and something. It told me to run SYSREG I believe to sort of scan the machine to find out what was wrong. It wouldn't do that, it would go to snip Hold it right there. before you go any further... run a RAM test and run the HD mfg's diagnostic. No sense in doing anything else until you are sure your hardware is ok |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
"Arlykat" wrote in message ...
Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win snip Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows 98 boot floppy. Use it to start the computer, type "scandisk c:", press "Enter" and see what is found. Ben |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
Ben,
I can't thank you enough for trying to help me. I'm going to make and run the disk right now and "see what is found" and then get back to you. Thanks again. Arly "Ben Myers" wrote: "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win snip Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows 98 boot floppy. Use it to start the computer, type "scandisk c:", press "Enter" and see what is found. Ben |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
Hi Ben,
I created the boot disk and went through the process of it running on the computer that won't start. It found several errors that it fixed, took quite some time to get to the end. Unfortunately, I still can't get Windows 98 to come up. I ran your SCANDISK C:, I did get to a point where it told me there were many new changes in Windows 98, a long read. From that, I also tried running SCANDISK/MOUNT C: and SCANDISK/ALL and CHKDSK.EXE (when I ran the last one it told me to run scandisk which would fix more problems). Now, when I turn on the computer I get the IBM Aptiva screen and Windows screen, then it shoots me into open the computer with the list of safemode, normal, safemode with command prompts, etc. It has highlighted and tells me to open the computer in Command Mode. Tried every mode also, keeps bringing me back to the command mode thing and A:/. I open the computer with the disk in the A drive and again type SCANDISK C:. It says it is going to begin to open my computer (which it did when I first ran the boot disk that did all the fixing) and it may take some time. I can see a time progression line on the bottom showing it is beginning to do something. Then the final prompt I get is: "ScanDisk encountered a data error while reading the FAT entry for cluster 1829168 (I am assuming they are the number '8' - it looks like a zero with a single dot in the middle which makes it look sorta like an 8). This error prevents ScanDisk from fixing this drive." So, that is pretty much where I am - the above being the ultimate last sentence it continues to give me and I click exit. This is so frustrating. The computer was running fine when I shut it down over a year ago, just short on memory. We did unplug it and replug things, but everything is all back to where it was. I can't imagine what has caused this huge problem on it now. Because of a smaller memory card we loaded Win. 98 (2nd edition I THINK) and when we went on line using AOL at the time it would only run up to Win. 95 which limited us very much. We then only pretty much used the computer to look at floppy disks and copy them, delete them, etc. Between the time we used the computer for mainly pictures my mom, who was living with me and was 98, died. I honestly don't know if there are any pictures of her on the computer or not. I would hate to lose them, but, if there is no way to "fix" this computer, I am willing to try and empty it out and either reload Win. 98 SE or just give it to my friend with nothing on it. I think they would like the Win. 98 SE on it because they have virtually NO money (husband ran off with gf, left wife and two infants, pays nothing to help them) so at least they would have SOMETHING on the computer to get them online, albiet, slowly. So Ben, what should I do? Again, I appreciate your help more than you know. Arlykat "Arlykat" wrote: Ben, I can't thank you enough for trying to help me. I'm going to make and run the disk right now and "see what is found" and then get back to you. Thanks again. Arly "Ben Myers" wrote: "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win snip Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows 98 boot floppy. Use it to start the computer, type "scandisk c:", press "Enter" and see what is found. Ben |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
Start the computer with the boot disk again, and this time at the A:\ prompt, type
the following and press Enter: scandisk /surface (that is: scandisk space /surface) It will take quite a while to complete a surface scan, which checks the actual surface of the hard drive platters for damage. When it completes, you will be returned to the A:\ prompt. You can then remove the floppy and press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart. -- Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.net/ http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi Ben, I created the boot disk and went through the process of it running on the computer that won't start. It found several errors that it fixed, took quite some time to get to the end. Unfortunately, I still can't get Windows 98 to come up. I ran your SCANDISK C:, I did get to a point where it told me there were many new changes in Windows 98, a long read. From that, I also tried running SCANDISK/MOUNT C: and SCANDISK/ALL and CHKDSK.EXE (when I ran the last one it told me to run scandisk which would fix more problems). Now, when I turn on the computer I get the IBM Aptiva screen and Windows screen, then it shoots me into open the computer with the list of safemode, normal, safemode with command prompts, etc. It has highlighted and tells me to open the computer in Command Mode. Tried every mode also, keeps bringing me back to the command mode thing and A:/. I open the computer with the disk in the A drive and again type SCANDISK C:. It says it is going to begin to open my computer (which it did when I first ran the boot disk that did all the fixing) and it may take some time. I can see a time progression line on the bottom showing it is beginning to do something. Then the final prompt I get is: "ScanDisk encountered a data error while reading the FAT entry for cluster 1829168 (I am assuming they are the number '8' - it looks like a zero with a single dot in the middle which makes it look sorta like an 8). This error prevents ScanDisk from fixing this drive." So, that is pretty much where I am - the above being the ultimate last sentence it continues to give me and I click exit. This is so frustrating. The computer was running fine when I shut it down over a year ago, just short on memory. We did unplug it and replug things, but everything is all back to where it was. I can't imagine what has caused this huge problem on it now. Because of a smaller memory card we loaded Win. 98 (2nd edition I THINK) and when we went on line using AOL at the time it would only run up to Win. 95 which limited us very much. We then only pretty much used the computer to look at floppy disks and copy them, delete them, etc. Between the time we used the computer for mainly pictures my mom, who was living with me and was 98, died. I honestly don't know if there are any pictures of her on the computer or not. I would hate to lose them, but, if there is no way to "fix" this computer, I am willing to try and empty it out and either reload Win. 98 SE or just give it to my friend with nothing on it. I think they would like the Win. 98 SE on it because they have virtually NO money (husband ran off with gf, left wife and two infants, pays nothing to help them) so at least they would have SOMETHING on the computer to get them online, albiet, slowly. So Ben, what should I do? Again, I appreciate your help more than you know. Arlykat "Arlykat" wrote: Ben, I can't thank you enough for trying to help me. I'm going to make and run the disk right now and "see what is found" and then get back to you. Thanks again. Arly "Ben Myers" wrote: "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win snip Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows 98 boot floppy. Use it to start the computer, type "scandisk c:", press "Enter" and see what is found. Ben |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
"Arlykat" wrote in message
... Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. Separate your two tasks. 1. You want to save onto your regular PC your important pics/info. Method A is to link the two PCs together as a temporary network, then just copy over. Method B is to put the hard drive from the old PC into the new PC, copy over what you want (e.g. all files created between dates A and B) then put the hard drive back. Method B would be the fastest if you have any trouble starting the old PC. 2. You want to give away the old computer in good running order. The fastest way of doing this is to use FDISK to blank the hard drive, then reformat and reinstal the operating system, as described he http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada) |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
"Arlykat" wrote in message ...
Hi Ben, I created the boot disk and went through the process of it running on the computer that won't start. It found several errors that it fixed, took quite some time to get to the end. Actually, the floppy should do nothing but boot to an A:\ prompt. Unfortunately, I still can't get Windows 98 to come up. I ran your SCANDISK C:, I did get to a point where it told me there were many new changes in Windows 98, a long read. This sounds a message generated by Windows setup. From that, I also tried running SCANDISK/MOUNT C: and SCANDISK/ALL and CHKDSK.EXE (when I ran the last one it told me to run scandisk which would fix more problems). Now, when I turn on the computer I get the IBM Aptiva screen and Windows screen, then it shoots me into open the computer with the list of safemode, normal, safemode with command prompts, etc. It has highlighted and tells me to open the computer in Command Mode. Tried every mode also, keeps bringing me back to the command mode thing and A:/. I open the computer with the disk in the A drive and again type SCANDISK C:. It says it is going to begin to open my computer (which it did when I first ran the boot disk that did all the fixing) and it may take some time. I can see a time progression line on the bottom showing it is beginning to do something. Then the final prompt I get is: "ScanDisk encountered a data error while reading the FAT entry for cluster 1829168 (I am assuming they are the number '8' - it looks like a zero with a single dot in the middle which makes it look sorta like an 8). This error prevents ScanDisk from fixing this drive." snip It sounds like the computer is having difficulty reading the hard drive. Start the computer and watch the screen closely for something like "Press del for setup". Restart, pressing the appropriate key and look for "Autodetect hard drives". If you find it, redetect the hard drive or drives and save the changes. Then run ScanDisk again. If this doesn't help, most hard drive manufacturers have diagnostic utilities available for download. Maxtor and Seagate http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/ Western Digital http://support.wdc.com/download/inde...n&pid=999&swid Ben |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
Hi Glee,
I did what you said and it basically came back with not finding any damage. I then removed the disk and did control, alt, delete and it brought me back to the "Open Using Command Prompt" and I am back where I started without having the computer start up correctly. I am so discouraged. Thanks though for your help. Arlykat "glee" wrote: Start the computer with the boot disk again, and this time at the A:\ prompt, type the following and press Enter: scandisk /surface (that is: scandisk space /surface) It will take quite a while to complete a surface scan, which checks the actual surface of the hard drive platters for damage. When it completes, you will be returned to the A:\ prompt. You can then remove the floppy and press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to restart. -- Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+ http://dts-l.net/ http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi Ben, I created the boot disk and went through the process of it running on the computer that won't start. It found several errors that it fixed, took quite some time to get to the end. Unfortunately, I still can't get Windows 98 to come up. I ran your SCANDISK C:, I did get to a point where it told me there were many new changes in Windows 98, a long read. From that, I also tried running SCANDISK/MOUNT C: and SCANDISK/ALL and CHKDSK.EXE (when I ran the last one it told me to run scandisk which would fix more problems). Now, when I turn on the computer I get the IBM Aptiva screen and Windows screen, then it shoots me into open the computer with the list of safemode, normal, safemode with command prompts, etc. It has highlighted and tells me to open the computer in Command Mode. Tried every mode also, keeps bringing me back to the command mode thing and A:/. I open the computer with the disk in the A drive and again type SCANDISK C:. It says it is going to begin to open my computer (which it did when I first ran the boot disk that did all the fixing) and it may take some time. I can see a time progression line on the bottom showing it is beginning to do something. Then the final prompt I get is: "ScanDisk encountered a data error while reading the FAT entry for cluster 1829168 (I am assuming they are the number '8' - it looks like a zero with a single dot in the middle which makes it look sorta like an 8). This error prevents ScanDisk from fixing this drive." So, that is pretty much where I am - the above being the ultimate last sentence it continues to give me and I click exit. This is so frustrating. The computer was running fine when I shut it down over a year ago, just short on memory. We did unplug it and replug things, but everything is all back to where it was. I can't imagine what has caused this huge problem on it now. Because of a smaller memory card we loaded Win. 98 (2nd edition I THINK) and when we went on line using AOL at the time it would only run up to Win. 95 which limited us very much. We then only pretty much used the computer to look at floppy disks and copy them, delete them, etc. Between the time we used the computer for mainly pictures my mom, who was living with me and was 98, died. I honestly don't know if there are any pictures of her on the computer or not. I would hate to lose them, but, if there is no way to "fix" this computer, I am willing to try and empty it out and either reload Win. 98 SE or just give it to my friend with nothing on it. I think they would like the Win. 98 SE on it because they have virtually NO money (husband ran off with gf, left wife and two infants, pays nothing to help them) so at least they would have SOMETHING on the computer to get them online, albiet, slowly. So Ben, what should I do? Again, I appreciate your help more than you know. Arlykat "Arlykat" wrote: Ben, I can't thank you enough for trying to help me. I'm going to make and run the disk right now and "see what is found" and then get back to you. Thanks again. Arly "Ben Myers" wrote: "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi. I have a computer I haven't run for about a year. It got plugged in and out, disconnected things, connected them back, etc. thru the year. When I now want to start it up to copy or move all of my important pics/info so I can give the computer to a friend, Windows won't start. It is Win. 98 prob with 2nd edition. 1st it started and I got the screen files were missing or corrupted - choose how to proceed: Safe Mode, Regular, Safe Mode With Commands, etc. Whatever I clicked it took me to Startup Options. Told me I had missing or corrupted files, 3 of them, can't remember exactly which, Win snip Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows 98 boot floppy. Use it to start the computer, type "scandisk c:", press "Enter" and see what is found. Ben |
Can't Start Windows, No Way, No How - HELP!
"Ben Myers" wrote: "Arlykat" wrote in message ... Hi Ben, I created the boot disk and went through the process of it running on the computer that won't start. It found several errors that it fixed, took quite some time to get to the end. Actually, the floppy should do nothing but boot to an A:\ prompt. Unfortunately, I still can't get Windows 98 to come up. I ran your SCANDISK C:, I did get to a point where it told me there were many new changes in Windows 98, a long read. This sounds a message generated by Windows setup. From that, I also tried running SCANDISK/MOUNT C: and SCANDISK/ALL and CHKDSK.EXE (when I ran the last one it told me to run scandisk which would fix more problems). Now, when I turn on the computer I get the IBM Aptiva screen and Windows screen, then it shoots me into open the computer with the list of safemode, normal, safemode with command prompts, etc. It has highlighted and tells me to open the computer in Command Mode. Tried every mode also, keeps bringing me back to the command mode thing and A:/. I open the computer with the disk in the A drive and again type SCANDISK C:. It says it is going to begin to open my computer (which it did when I first ran the boot disk that did all the fixing) and it may take some time. I can see a time progression line on the bottom showing it is beginning to do something. Then the final prompt I get is: "ScanDisk encountered a data error while reading the FAT entry for cluster 1829168 (I am assuming they are the number '8' - it looks like a zero with a single dot in the middle which makes it look sorta like an 8). This error prevents ScanDisk from fixing this drive." snip It sounds like the computer is having difficulty reading the hard drive. Start the computer and watch the screen closely for something like "Press del for setup". Restart, pressing the appropriate key and look for "Autodetect hard drives". If you find it, redetect the hard drive or drives and save the changes. Then run ScanDisk again. If this doesn't help, most hard drive manufacturers have diagnostic utilities available for download. Maxtor and Seagate http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/ Western Digital http://support.wdc.com/download/inde...n&pid=999&swid Ben Hi Ben, Again, thanks so much for sticking with me and trying to help me get this computer up and running for my friend. Will tell you something before I go any farther in this response - I am a female and I am about 2% under the point of starting to cry over this in frustration. Okay? Just so you know what frame of mind I am getting shoved into. I found something similar to what you said to click when the computer was starting up and it took me to the Setup menu which is the one that also lists computer info, etc. When you then say to "Restart pressing appropriate key" you lost me. When I get to the setup menu there is no place for me to click on restart, only "more info" and "exit." So, I was stuck on that. I took the menu that I did have and looked at everything to see if I could find anything even slightly familiar to Autodetect hard drives or anything to do with redirecting drives and found nada. I went to both Seagate and Western Digital and found, at least at Seagate, that it says I can download the only 'free' utilities diagnostic tool they offer and then transfer it to a CD. Unfortunately, it then says that I would have to redirect the startup process to boot from the D drive first, which would be mighty tough for me to do on the computer with the trouble because I can't make it do anything basically. It also said that it would only work on computers using Windows 2000, XP or Vista. None of which is on the ole Win. 98SE computer I am trying to fix. I went to Western and that is when I sorta had much of my hope fade and ended up not even looking for something that might work from there. That is when I was going to cry. I am now just sitting here, very down, very frustrated, very depressed. I don't want to stop trying to fix this but I am losing hope. Maybe if you told me about the "restart pressing appropriate key" thing I could try that again. I honestly don't even know if the menu you are wanting to show up is the menu that is showing up when I do press the key that takes me to the Setup menu I get. I have spent hours and hours on this - now MY computer is having trouble with its floppy drive and I am jumping through hoops trying to fix that. Plain spit. Will wait to hear from you. Arlykat |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:41 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Win98Banter.com