Reading you other replies in this thread, it sounds like you are at the frustration
point where you are not working with a clear mind. Hence we cannot determine what
is happening. Some of the descriptions you have given indicate that you are
starting with the Windows installation CD in the drive, as well as with the boot
floppy. You have also mentioned numerous error messages but without giving the
exact messages in each case, or stating things like "it told me to run SYSREG I
believe". Well was it Sysreg or was it something else? Sysreg is a spyware app
from Gator, but I doubt you would see anything related to that before Windows
starts.

Your latest report indicates that scandisk /surface did not find any errors on the
hard drive....this is good.

Turn off the computer. Have a good cry. Now when you are feeling as little better,
make sure there is NO floppy disk in the floppy drive, turn on the computer and
eject any CD from the CD drives right away. We do not want any disks in any of
those drives now.

When the computer startup process gives you an error message of any kind, stop and
write it down word for word in its entirety, and post the message here. Do NOT
start typing commands on the screen trying to get something to work.

If it brings you to the startup menu with Normal, Safe Mode, and so forth, select
Safe Mode using the arrow keys on the keyboard, then press Enter, and see if it will
start into that.

Post back with all messages in their entirety, and wait for further direction.

If your main objective is to get any pictures you can off this hard drive, then find
someone with the proper tools and knowledge to remove and slave the drive to another
computer, or connect it via a USB enclosure to another computer, to get any pictures
off it. After that, you can return the drive to the original computer and reload
Windows.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.net/
http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm


"Arlykat" wrote in message
...
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