Scandisk won't fix files and directories ???
 

I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
running on it at one time. It got a really bad
infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".

Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?

I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
all over again. Any help out there?

Sounds like the hard drive may be getting ready to die on you. I'd check
the brand name and model number, then see if the drive manufacturer has a
diagnostic/test utility you can download and run on it. If nothing else
these utilities can usually "zero-out" the drive and erase everything on it,
that would allow you to run FDISK and proceed with installation if the drive
tests OK.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"DRIFT-O-MATIC" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
running on it at one time. It got a really bad
infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".

Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?

I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
all over again. Any help out there?

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" schreef in bericht
...
I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
running on it at one time. It got a really bad
infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".

Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?

I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
all over again. Any help out there?


You could try in a dos-box ( or from a startup disc): label c: ABC
You end up with a 'normal' partition name, and now you can run fdisk.

Greetings Harrie

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
running on it at one time. It got a really bad
infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".

Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?

I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
all over again. Any help out there?



use this
http://www.aefdisk.com/

aefdisk /delall

Philo, I tried the aefdisk, but I get "Invalid system
disk". This happens every time I put in a floppy boot
disk, including Powermax (from Maxtor site for their
utilities and diagnostics). I even get "invalid system
disk" when I boot up to their Maxblast utility CD.

What's next?

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" wrote in message
...
Philo, I tried the aefdisk, but I get "Invalid system
disk". This happens every time I put in a floppy boot
disk, including Powermax (from Maxtor site for their
utilities and diagnostics). I even get "invalid system
disk" when I boot up to their Maxblast utility CD.

What's next?


all you need to do is copy aefdisk to your boot floppy
be sure to set your bios to boot first from drive A:

I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?


I had the same problem with my friends laptop Compaq Presario.

Don`t know what else to do. Nothing helps.

-----Original Message-----

all you need to do is copy aefdisk to your boot floppy
be sure to set your bios to boot first from drive A:

Philo, I did exactly what you said, and I still
get "invalid system disk". It seems nothing works in the
floppy.

Philo, I did exactly what you said, and I still
get "invalid system disk". It seems nothing works in the
floppy. I'll try the whole proceedure again tonight, and
let you know what happens.

Which disk are you booting from when you get that message ?

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" wrote in message
...
Philo, I did exactly what you said, and I still
get "invalid system disk". It seems nothing works in the
floppy. I'll try the whole proceedure again tonight, and
let you know what happens.