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Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems

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Original Message
Name: Brian
Date: August 1, 2003 at 17:57:32 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
OS: Win 98
CPU/Ram: P3 800 mHz 128 RAM
Comment:

I'm having a problem with my WIn 98 OS. It keeps getting errors that does now allow it to boot up normally. It gives illegal operation messages that freeze the booting process. I wanted to format my c drive, but I need to know how to do it using ths start-up disc and using the MS-Dos program to execute the formatting. Any suggestions? Thank you.



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Response Number 1
Name: safeTsurfa
Date: August 1, 2003 at 18:05:27 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Whoa there, let us know what the errors messages are, maybe we can fix those save you the hassle of a reinstall? Have you powered into the Boot menu (F8 key) and done a step by step confirmation boot up? If not then do so noting down what point you get the errors and what failed to load.


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Response Number 2
Name: Brian
Date: August 1, 2003 at 18:12:20 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

I get an illegal operation message right when it seems to enter Windows (msgrv97). When I exit them, ignore of close, another one pops up, I do the same to the other and the screen remains unoccpupied with no menu at the bottom or anything if Windows were to be botting. ONly the mouse and the background is seen


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Response Number 3
Name: Brian
Date: August 1, 2003 at 18:15:35 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

I just want to format my C drive. The Step-by-step thing brings up a lot of y/n text that I didn't really know.

Are there any possible ways to format my drive with a start-up disk?


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Response Number 4
Name: GregH
Date: August 1, 2003 at 18:19:06 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Just boot up the machine with the boot disk. When you are at the A prompt, type in format c: \s

It will ask if you are sure. Hit enter and away it goes.



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Response Number 5
Name: Brian
Date: August 1, 2003 at 18:23:39 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Sorry if I sound stupid, but what is that W?


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Response Number 6
Name: Brian
Date: August 1, 2003 at 18:27:37 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

It continues to give me errors about "invalid media type reading drive c"


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Response Number 7
Name: TopFarmer
Date: August 1, 2003 at 19:14:59 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Hi what have you done so far and what are you doing when it gives you the "invalid media error"?


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Response Number 8
Name: FZWG
Date: August 1, 2003 at 19:37:07 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Brian,

Use a bootdisk. At the A:\> prompt, just try typing the following:

Format C:

Then hit Enter.

When it tells you all data will be lost, proceed with format, type: Y, and press: Enter.

The screen should then display the size of the hard drive, and start formatting it. A percentage formatted appears as it goes along.

After the Format is complete, you can then proceed with installing the Operating System.


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Response Number 9
Name: Echo
Date: August 1, 2003 at 19:40:27 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Or try Format C: /s

(The slash forward (/) before the s)


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Response Number 10
Name: DAVEINCAPS
Date: August 1, 2003 at 19:58:12 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

The 'invalid media type' indicates there's no valid dos partition.

Boot from the bootdisk again and at the a:\> prompt type:

fdisk

and enter. Y to large disk support, then option 4. What does it say?


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Response Number 11
Name: Brian
Date: August 2, 2003 at 19:25:36 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

HOw do you get into ms prompt? Isnt there a button that you can press that automatically gets you into it?



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Response Number 12
Name: FZWG
Date: August 2, 2003 at 19:56:24 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Start>Programs>MS-DOS Prompt


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Response Number 13
Name: FZWG
Date: August 2, 2003 at 20:04:45 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Also, there is the option: Start>Shut Down, and select 'Restart in MS-DOS Mode'


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Response Number 14
Name: BRIAN
Date: August 2, 2003 at 20:08:33 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

No i meant how do u getn into ms prompt when the computer first starts up? cause i cant get into windows so i cant reset it or go 2 start


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Response Number 15
Name: FZWG
Date: August 2, 2003 at 22:35:25 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Need a Windows 98 bootdisk.

If you do not have one, download one from www.bootdisk.com

When you start the computer with the bootdisk in the floppy drive, it gets you to the DOS prompt: A:\>

From A:\> you can Format the C:\> drive.


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Response Number 16
Name: Duane
Date: August 3, 2003 at 19:51:10 Pacific
Subject: Win 98 MS-DOS Formatting Problems
Reply: (edit)

Hi Brian, make sure your computer is set to boot from floppy first. To do this you need to go to CMOS at beginning of your boot it shoud give you the option to go to setup. It should say to enter setup press delete or maybe F2 press what ever it says. Then move over to boot by using your arrows on your keyboard, MAKE SURE THE FLOPPY DRIVE is set to boot before the hard drive then you can use the boot disk. I would FDISK the hard drive first then format it. For detailed info on how to FDISK the hard drive and the MBR ( Master Boot Record) Email me at dmfjef@yahoo.com then you can print it out, or if you have access to another computer in the same room we can get on Messenger and I can walk you through it. When I do this I setup a second partition for a backup.


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