I have an old laptop which would run windows 3.1 if it was installed. When I turn it on it has a line that says 'Windows cannot run in either standard or 356 mode'(Roughly, I do not remember precisely). Is that because it is not installed properly if at all, or is there a problem with the settings? Is it fixable? I'd like to know before I go to the bother of trying to get working win 3.1 floppies.
What's the manufacturer and model number of your old laptop? Currently, it there a Windows directory on the hard drive?
Since no Real Mode in 3.1, you need a 286 and 1Mb ram to run it.
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Audares Juvo
If there is a back up on the drive you can go through the setup without the disks.This has the advantage of keeping the drivers that are specific for your laptop. C:\>WINDOWS\SETUP
BUT BEFORE THAT---->>>>
You may want to consider backing up your drive before doing this or a full reinstall to have them on hand so you don't have to look all over the internet for them. In case something goes wrong.
Most drivers are in the Windows directory, so you'll want that. BUT some others may be loaded from a different directory specific to branding and such. If in doubt, look at the config.sys and autoexec.bat files. They will show all the directories getting loaded at boot up.
Just as important to look at is the SYSTEM.INI file. This lists the important files for devices Windows uses. I would print this and the aforementioned files to refer to. Needless to say when backing up, these files should be included.
Good luck
Christina; there must be something written on that old laptop to help us identify it??? Skip
Audares Juvo
Sorry, the laptop is so hard to carry around I left it at my mums as i'm in the middle of moving. It is an old brick. A Samsung S500? Or something like that. Really old. Will be able to find out properly in a couple of days.
That's fine...let us know when you get a chance. Get settled in first; plenty of time to figure this out.
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Audares Juvo
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