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Problem got worse!!!

D

dexmanone

Senior member
Ok, to make it short it started here: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=32&threadid=232092[/L]

I tried everything I knew. Because of other problmes, like startup disk came up with missing files command.com, it wouldn't work. I also tried copying the file from floppy. Worked but didn't overwrite the old so didn't help. I could go on and on, but here's the deal, I finally succombed to formatting and reinstalling.

the prob now is that there is NOTHING on start up, not even start up! (after formatting) From power up it tries to read the floppy, then gives "Invalid system disk Replace the disk, press any key". This can't be good. It's set as hard drive for first read. If I use a startup disk it will come up with this:

"The following file is missing or corrupted: HIEMEM.SYS
There is an error in your CONFIG.SYS file on line 24

Microsoft RAMDrive version 3.06 virtual disk D:
RAMDrive: Extended Memory Manager not present

Warning: the high memory area (HMA) is not available.
Additional low memory (below 640K) will be used instead

The following file is missing or corrupted: command.com
Type the name of the Command Interpreter (e.g. C:\Windows\Command.com
A>"

Well, that's it. I believe all this other stuff is cause of the start up disk. So I don't even have dos now. I formatted using C:|format/q (quick format)

Can anyone at least point me in the right direction? The next step I can think of at this point includes fire and marshmellows!!


Thanks
 
use a different boot disk, perhaps one from bootdisk.com, then do a complete reformat. if the disk is not being read, make sure your floppy drive is working properly. hell you might want to go as far as flashing the bios.





dam()
 
Thanks. I tried the 98 "special" boot from bootdisk.com but didn't seem to be special. That was before formatting. I'll go there and get a "normal" 95 and let ya know. My main concern is not getting DOS. I'm still a newbee, if a disk is formatted, blank, wouldn't you still get DOS?

Thanks again DAM
 
If a disk (hard or floppy) is formatted, you will get "invalid system disk" or "missing OS" or something similar. The only way to get into DOS is to load it from a floppy or the hard disk.

Did you try the suggestion to use the HP recovery CD #1? Since you already formatted, you might as well use the full reinstallation option (make sure you have the correct cd inserted; in my experience, the HP recovery disks are very poorly labelled). If that doesn't work, then I think your problem may lie with the hard drive itself. It might be bad.

If you need a working Win98 bootdisk, email me and I'll zip one up and email it to you.
 
thanks reitz,

I wanted to try the HP disk before I got here. I couldn't get to it. the best I could get into the system was some monkey rigging way using a 98 start up and landing on win95 (wrote 95 over 98) ok'ng the error (explorer.exe) and then use the task window to "run application" but with this process cd wouldn't load (didn't recognize). This and other trys didn't work and since these people have very little value, if any, on what's on their hd, I decided to admit failure and reformat. from listening to the experts out there (and some wanabees) I didn't have to reformat. I just want to get this thing running for them. I'm getting a 95 startup disk tonite, then swing by and see if that'll give me DOS so I can run setup. If I can get the cd to load, and install win 95, can't I just use the HP disks at that point like you said? If so, do I need special command or will "setup" get me going.

Thanks for the win98 disk offer.
 
The HP cd should be bootable. Just pop it in the cdrom, restart, and it should run itself.

If it does need a startup disk, you're much better off with the 98 disk than a 95 disk. The 98 boot disk comes with generic cdrom drivers preloaded on it, which makes accessing the cdrom much easier.
 
When setting up a floppy as a boot disk, you need to format it with system. In DOS the command is like this "format a:/s". If you don't do this it won't boot. Now the same applies to a hard disk format, the command should look like this when formatting your C drive, "format c:/s". Note: a quick format only deletes files from a disk, it doesn't add anything to it.
 
OK, 95 boot disk got me DOS, but you're right, 98 seemed to load with drivers for cd, 95 didn't. It's funny Reitz that you said to load cd and restart. That's the ONLY thing that I can think of I haven't tried!!! I'll really be pissed at myself if it's that easy!!!!

I'm little confused about the commands mentioned by Sandorski. On the floppy, start up, do I want to format the floppy with "A:/s"? Is this a command for it to pick up the cd driver? On the hd, if I format with"format C:/s" what will be added to the hd? Will this C:/s be the actual act of formatting? makes sense if so.

Thanks again, I'll have them pop the cd today, and if that doesn't work I'll try another 98 startup, if that doesn't work I'm bringing the machine to my house, they're 1/2 hr away!!!
 
Format C: /s simply formats the drive and then copies the bare minimum of system files needed to boot to a DOS prompt. It's been awhile, so I'm not positive, but I think the files it copies are Command.com, Msdos.sys, and one other one. It really does not do you much good.

dexmanone, it really should be that easy 🙂 These recovery CD's are designed so that even the newest computer users can perform a full system restore (though I have yet to see a PC ship with adequate documentation on how to use it. Most people don't even know what it does until they call Support). I think Dell is the only major manufacturer that does not ship Recovery CD's with their systems instead of Windows 98 CD's.
 
ok, it's working!! man!! Reitz, you were right. The ONLY thing I didn't do, was to stick in the disk with power off and then power on. Boy do I feel stupid. Like spending days fixing a car but has no gas!! Thanks to Dam also for helping here (and everywhere else)

Thanks to everyone!! bye the way, this is a good site in my opinion. I've found a couple of others, but sometimes the topic strays and crapping starts. I'm still a newbie (ya think!)so can't respond/help much, but it's cool to "listen in" and get ideas of how to build my own rocket!!
 
Great. Wanna know the best part? Next time you can tell them to just pop the CD in and restart, instead of bugging you about it 😛
 
Yea, and believe me, I will. These people treat their putter like a stepchild. Knowing them they'll use the cd to warm up those little pizzas in the oven.
 
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