Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
I am having some problems with a computer that a friend gave me. Here is a little bit of history on the machine. For a time it ran Windows XP, but it kept losing files and things like that. The hard drive is 80 Gig and the ram is 256. Right now XP is no longer installed on the machine. I am not entirely sure what happened but I don't think an OS has been fully installed on this computer. I believe Mandrake Linux and Windows 98 have both begun to be installed but it never finished. I need to know if there is some way to totally wipe the hard drive and start over. Right now I'm getting the following message "Error loading Operating System" I get this error and then it will not let me go any farther. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks
If you want to install Win XP, the XP cd will do the formatting for you upon installation. To manually format the drives, you can use the Win98 boot disk and install Win98. You can also format the drive by typing Format C\ from a DOS prompt. I would first use the Win98 boot disk and use the FDISK function to see what partitions are on the HDD and what format they are in. When you have that info, post back and let us know.
0 
lisa,
If you have a Win98 startup disk boot up with that and type "fdisk". Choose option #4 to display what's on the drive. If there's any "non-disk partitions you have to remove them first, then if there's any extended partitions remove them, then remove the primary dos partition if there is one. You want to end up choosing option #4 and seeing no partitions left. Then choose option #1 to create a primary dos partition. Then if you want to run Win98 reboot and choose type "format c:". Once that's completed i find it best to copy the Win98 folder from the Cd to the harddrive and install from there, that way you never have to go digging for the CD ever again, it'll just grab the files from there when it needs them. To do this go to your C drive by typing "c:" and then type "md Win98" (md = Make Directory). Then go back to your CD which will be one letter higher than you'd exprect because your bootup disk created a "ram drive" whcih took the letter usually associated with the CD Drive so if your CD is usally your "D" drive you would type "E:" and hit <enter>. Now type "cd Win98" and hit <enter> which will put you in the Win98 folder which has every file you'll need for isntalling. So from here you'd type "copy *.* C:\Win98" After a few minutes all the files you need will be on your "C" so type "C:" and hit <enter>. Now type "cd Win98" and you'll be where you want so all you have to do is type "setup" and hit <enter>.
If you're going with WinXP just put the CD in and hit <enter> when it asks if you want to boot from CD. If you don't see that option you'll need to go into your CMOS and change your bootup sequence so that it looks for your CD ahead of your harddrive.
good luck,
wired
0
Hi Lisa, grasshopper, hi everyone
Don't want to be rude, but how about one thread at the time on the same issue? :-/
It will keep you from getting double posts, and it's easier for us to keep track off.The original thread, ten threads down:
Win 98 Boot Disk(http://www.computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/152736.html)Greetz,
The Count
0
Ok this is what happens when I turn on the computer, it starts out by gong to a page that is running a memory test, then it finishes that and goes to a page that has all of the specifics about the computer then at the bottom it starts out with "Verifying DMI Pool Data ........" Then it says "Error loading Operating System" So I cannot even get to a point where it trys to read the Win 98 CD. I think I could handle the things you all mentioned if I could get past this error. But right now I just don't know what to do. Let me know if you have any idea about what is going on.
0
Hi Lisa, Grasshopper, Wired, The Count, hello everyone,
Did you create the bootdisk as mentioned in the previous post?
If so, place the bootdisk in the drive and start the computer. Do you see it accessing the floppy drive, green light on?
Best Regards,
Mesich
0
I agree with The Count. By the by, are Lisa and tinksnook one and the same? (Noticed this in the other thread too.)
0
Hi Lisa, grasshopper, Mesich, Dan, hi everyone
If it's alright with everyone, I would prefer to continue in the original thread.
Lisa/tinksnook is making progress there. :-)Greetz,
The Count
0
Hi y'all,
........" Then it says "Error loading Operating System" So I cannot even get to a point where it trys to read the Win 98 CD. I think I could handle the things you all mentioned if I could get past this error....
You don't need the CD...
Boot with the win disk of your choice and at the A:\prompt, type Fdisk....You have to get the formating and partitioning right first, before you can think about the CD....and installing windows...
And you have to answer some of the questions asked...
Happy Holidays
beansoup
0
I recommend that you try this formatting routine before going further. The steps
are easy, and, unless you have a very stubborn problem, these routines will correct any
problems you are having with your hard drive.Be sure you have all programs, drivers and other material at hand to restore your hard
drive.
If possible, back up all the important data on your hard drive. Don't forget address books
and Internet bookmarks.
Boot up from the floppy drive with a known good boot disk. This can be Disk 1 of MS-DOS,
or your Windows 95 or Windows 98 emergency boot disk. Any drive over 2 gig should be
prepared using a Windows 95 OSR@ or Windows 98 boot disk. (Don't worry if you are using
Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. A Windows 98 boot disk can be used to
remove the partitions and install a container that will allow you to reinstall your version
of Windows. For the purist, remember that we are talking about reformatting, and wiping
out all data currently on the drive, anyway.)
When you get to the A:> prompt, run FDISK. Type FDISK and press Enter.
Remove all partitions in the following order:
All assigned drives in extended partitions
Any extended partitions
The primary partition
Exit FDISK, and reboot the computer with the reset button or Ctrl-Alt-Del keys.
When you are back to the A:> prompt, type in exactly the following:
FDISK/MBR
Check to be certain the command looks exactly like the above. NO SPACES! When you are sure
the command is typed correctly, press the Enter (Return) Key.
The screen may or may not blink, and should return an A:> prompt. No other message will
appear.
You have now written a new Master Boot Record to your hard drive, and have overwritten any
virus hidden in the master boot record.
Reboot your computer.
Run FDISK. If using Windows 95B or higher, or Windows 98, you can choose to use FAT-32
large drive partitions. Choose option 1 to create a primary dos partition, then create
extended partitions and drives, if you want or need to.
Exit FDISK and reboot the computer.
From the A:> prompt, type FORMAT C: /u and press Enter. If you want to have the disk
bootable, the command is FORMAT C: /u /S to format and transfer the operating system.
You have now removed any virus that resided in your Master Boot Sector or Boot Sector.
You have also replaced any damaged FAT tables, and mapped out any bad sectors to prevent
them from being used by the operating system or any programs. Use normal procedures to
install your operating system and programs
Good luck..
Oz
0
hi everyone,just a though,some people seems to very lost when it comes to seting their hard drive up,(format,fdisk,partition and so on) well I would think the best way would be to tell said person to go to the makers of the hard drive web site and download their utility disk and let it set it up for them.I know this would be the easy way out,but lets face it,it would be the best way for some.so with in mine,lisa what is the name or type of hardrive do you have and we may be able to get you to its utitilty disk download site.
0  |
 Memory Question
|
lost outlook express
|
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
