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Comment:
Help! I did something to my computer!!
The following file is missing or corrupted:
C:\windows\himem.sys
There is an error in your config.sys file on line 13
The following files are missing or corrupted:
C:\windows\himem.sys
C:\windows\dblbuff.sys
C:\windows\ifshlp.sys
Warning: The high memory area (HMA) is not available
Add'l low memory (below 640K) will be used instead
Cannot find win.com, unable to continue loading windows
C:\>
And then I am stuck at the blinking C prompt
Is there any hope for me?
What did you do?
Unless you run DOS games or other DOS programs you can get config.sys out of the equation by disabling it (not necessary for Windows). The command from C prompt is:
ren c:\config.sys config.sy-
Win.com is the file that starts Windows. What version of W98 are you using (first edition or second edition)? I can send you win.com but I might as well send the correct one, although I think they are the same.
DerekW
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I don't know what I did???!!!
Thanks for responding - I was given the computer & was real real slow so I started to delete things to try to make it better. The computer is only for my 16 yr old daughter to type reports on for school - no internet!
Regarding the version - I don't know? I'm so sorry!!
But I have borrowed an Windows 98 2nd version along with Windows XP to install whenever I get beyond that darn blinking c prompt!
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"I have borrowed an Windows 98 2nd version"
Your are not supposed to asked about pirated software on this forum.
If you were given the PC then the best option is to wipe the drive and install a legal copy of an O/S
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I am sorry if I have offended you in some way - when I indicated that I borrowed (didn't ask for within this forum) - those copies are from my fiancee which I guess you could say are mine since what is his will soon be mine right?
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What inverto is referring to is the EULA for Windows that only allows the software to be installed on one machine. This forum could get in trouble if it allowed advice on illegal activities. The copy of Win98 you referred to isn't installed on another computer is it?
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Never delete files unless you know what they are for. What has happened is the usual result.
If I send replacement files then presumably it could go on forever, so the most sensible option is to reformat and install an operating system.
For W98 this is not normally done from Windows anyway, you do this from DOS using a boot disk (floppy). www.bootdisk.com can provide a W98 disk. This is created on any machine from the download (you don't just copy the download onto the floppy).
If you are considering putting XP on it you need to know whether the spec for the machine is suitable or not. Probably not if it is an old machine.
I don't really see your post as a question to the forum about pirated software but the last line of post #3 is of-course correct.
DerekW
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..."those copies are from my fiancee which I guess you could say are mine since what is his will soon be mine right?"
The answer to that, is wrong, if they are installed on another computer. Also wrong, if they are OEM, also wrong, if... nevermind. There is a right way/answer. But, to just state as you did, no.
"I don't know what I did???!!!"
Ah, maybe...
..."slow so I started to delete things to try to make it better."Ect-Ect.... Hope, I didn't 'offended' you, in any way.
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At the C:\> prompt, try typing the following:
path=c:\windows;c:\windows\command <Enter>
win <Enter>If that brings up windows, you could have a corrupted c:\msdos.sys file.
Do yourself a favor BACKUP!
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... just in case my post #6 is taken out of context, I was typing it before seeing #4 onwards.
DerekW
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Wow, let me clear up something all - No the copy of windows is not installed on another computer. He bought the 2 versions for installation on his computer once we moved in together but as of yet has not. So being the nice guy he is - he gave them to me to attempt to make my "word processor" computer better.
Thank you to everyone for their help!!!!
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Derek,
Now I know to not delete files - I truly have learned my lesson the difficult way. Thank you for your thoughts.
Moving forward, is installing Windows 98 again an option - to overwrite what I have? Or will that create a bigger mess?
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Well, it usually pans out OK and you don't lose your own stuff. Reformat is better but you lose the lot.
In your shoes I would try the overlay, after all the machine is no good to you right now and if it fails then you can still reformat.
All overlay amounts to is that you do a normal install but without reformatting. You will still need the boot disk as advised. Once you've found out the temporary CD letter it is using (after booting with floppy) then you pop in your CD and type:
X:
(hit Return key)Setup
(hit Return key)X is your CD drive. Often it is one letter more than usual (ie D becomes E) or sometimes they use R - watch the screen. The reason for this odd behaviour is that your normal letter is temporarily grabbed for what is known as a RAM drive (but you don't really need to know that).
You might be able to cheat (nothing lost). After booting with the floppy, at the A prompt, just type setup and hit Return. This "should" work. It was fairly recently discovered on here. If it doesn't then just use the two commands substituting for X, as given above.
DerekW
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