Drive Not Found on 98SE bootup

For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

wrote in message

For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

wrote in message

For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:
wrote in message





For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...s/security.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.

On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:
wrote in message





For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...s/security.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.

On 11/21/2009 01:00 PM, wrote:
On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:
wrote in message





For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...s/security.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.

Couple of questions:

1. Is the partition "ACTIVE".

[related to potential manager issues]

2. Do you dual/multi boot?

3. Which boot manager are you using and version?

4. Did you recently upgrade the boot manager?

5. Did you install the boot manager to the MBR or a distinct area?

And something you may not want to hear; there are Apple/MAC malware in
the wild. It is just sales hype that it is free from that type of
activity, and they do contain somewhat different hack vectors than those
normally found in Windows machines. Not to the same attacked activities
as in a Windows based computer, but trojan and like are found. The main
attack points appear to be leveraged more towards the installed
applications [just as in other OSs] like QT, ITunes, Safari, etc. [see
CERT and like materials], which of course provides the "door" necessary
for other activities. The old "limited usage is protection" argument no
longer holds the same value it once did.

A couple cross-countering arguments to review:
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/0...-malware-myth/
http://blog.trendmicro.com/more-mac-...e-in-the-wild/
http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/55765.html

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---

On 11/21/2009 01:00 PM, wrote:
On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:
wrote in message





For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...s/security.htm

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.

Couple of questions:

1. Is the partition "ACTIVE".

[related to potential manager issues]

2. Do you dual/multi boot?

3. Which boot manager are you using and version?

4. Did you recently upgrade the boot manager?

5. Did you install the boot manager to the MBR or a distinct area?

And something you may not want to hear; there are Apple/MAC malware in
the wild. It is just sales hype that it is free from that type of
activity, and they do contain somewhat different hack vectors than those
normally found in Windows machines. Not to the same attacked activities
as in a Windows based computer, but trojan and like are found. The main
attack points appear to be leveraged more towards the installed
applications [just as in other OSs] like QT, ITunes, Safari, etc. [see
CERT and like materials], which of course provides the "door" necessary
for other activities. The old "limited usage is protection" argument no
longer holds the same value it once did.

A couple cross-countering arguments to review:
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2009/0...-malware-myth/
http://blog.trendmicro.com/more-mac-...e-in-the-wild/
http://www.macnewsworld.com/story/55765.html

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.org/ref/windows-main.htm
Windows Info, Diagnostics, Security, Networking
http://peoplescounsel.org
The "real world" of Law, Justice, and Government
___---

wrote in message ...
On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:
wrote in message





For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary
Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...s/security.htm



Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.


Does your HD use a SATA interface? That could explain why Linux can
see the drive but not DOS. Perhaps "legacy mode" was somehow switched
off in the BIOS. As for your success with "Scandisk C:", that could have been
the RAMdrive that some startup disks create to hold some of the DOS tools.
If the scan was amazingly fast, then probably so. C: does not necessarily
equal the primary Hard Disk 0.

wrote in message ...
On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:
wrote in message





For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary
Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...s/security.htm



Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.


Does your HD use a SATA interface? That could explain why Linux can
see the drive but not DOS. Perhaps "legacy mode" was somehow switched
off in the BIOS. As for your success with "Scandisk C:", that could have been
the RAMdrive that some startup disks create to hold some of the DOS tools.
If the scan was amazingly fast, then probably so. C: does not necessarily
equal the primary Hard Disk 0.

On Nov 21, 1:00 pm, " wrote:
On Nov 21, 11:41 pm, "Brian A." gonefish'n@afarawaylake wrote:



wrote in message



For the first time ever, when I bootup 98SE, I get a "Drive not
Found", insert boot floppy then press any key, nothing happens. When I
reboot the machine with the boot floppy in it, I get the 3 possibility
error choice before the "A" prompt. either not a valid Fat32
partition, create another partition, or a virus. I just spent 3 hours
performing a complete virus + spyware scan, no problems. I am not a
techie so the other two make no sense since the computer has been
working perfectly all along. I also perform a Scandisk from the boot
floppy, everything is fine. I was planning to install XP Pro in the
near future. When I run the XP install cd and it comes to the point of
what to do with the "C" drive, it also won't recognise a valid "C"
drive, asks me if I want to delete my 98SE configuration then create a
new partition, start from scratch, which I will do if I can't fix the
existing problem. I have everything on 98SE backed up on a Norton
Ghost image disk, as well as other backup cd's. I can even extract
material from my "C" drive to a usb key in Linux. When I try Fdisk, I
get the message that there is no drive found, even Format c: won't
work. I am writing this from my Puppy Linux live cd, which boots
perfectly from my cd/rw. I also check my "C" drive from Linux,
everything seems ok. Is there anyway a non-techie like me can rescue
my 98SE system easily. Thanks.

Have you tried booting with the Ghost disk to restore the image?
If Ghost fails to recognize the drive see:
Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problemshttp://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q188867

How to Perform Clean-Boot Troubleshooting for Windows 98http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q192926

Also read "Clean Boot -- What it is and why you need it" by MS MVP Gary Terhune.http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cl...ww.grystmill.c...

--

Brian A. Sesko
Conflicts start where information lacks.http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://members.shaw.ca/dts-l/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

Thanks Brian. Even Norton Ghost won't see the "C" drive. However, the
1 gig settings file + bootup file for Puppy Linux are on the "C"
drive. Puppy seems to access these files perfectly, booting with all
the settings intact. Even the GParted partitioning software on Puppy
sees my "C" drive as a legit Fat 32 single partition comprising the
entire drive. Even the Pdisk Puppy software sees the model number of
the "C" drive, says its OK. I am checking the links you gave me but
there is so much info, some I can't figure out that it will take
awhile. Since I want to install XP Pro anyways, I think I might just
do that to restore the integrity of the drive for Windows. Then I
still have the 98SE ghost image if I want to revert back.
This type of experience speaks volumes for having a Linux live cd at
least for rescue purposes. Puppy is so small that it loads into ram so
it runs almost as quick as 98SE. Also I am experimenting with a Mac
G3/400, that I think (when I get a more powerful machine) is the
future for me, no viruses, no blue screens, almost no crashes,
elegant, simple software install/uninstalls. Just fun in the winter to
plays with all these formats.

Brian. Out of the blue, 98SE is booting up normally again, can't
figure out why, reboots normally 4 times in a row before writing this.
My guess is that somehow when Puppy Linux has to access the "C" drive
to retrieve its settings, perhaps that returns its normal
functionality, even running the Linux partition software might have an
effect. I also went into the BIOS, save the existing configuration,
thats when the normal boot up came back. I won't be rushing to install
XP, make sure I have everything intact. Thanks again, Ken.