To Format or not to Format update

[habba]

Friends system won't boot. Trying to avoid wiping HD clean. Messages include 1."Registry/Configuration error" 2.Try deleting files to clear up space" 3.Reinstall windows to a different directory and sometimes just a blinking cursur.
Can't access D drive booting from A. Sometimes can't boot from A anyway.
I'm thinking a serious virus or dying HD
System is a Compaq 5020. Haven't opened the case up yet because it seems to be HD related.
Tried scandisk from C prompt with no errors once
When I try defrag from prompt I get the message "program needs windows to operate"
Any suggestions?
Save time and go to the final option(format)????

update:
After formatting the HD, I'm unable to reinstall
All I get is blank screen w/blinking cursor
Next I replaced the HD with another from backup system
with same results
Now I'm thinking motherboard
what do you think?

thanks

 

[Euphoria]

Why would you need Fdisk?? A harddrive format would remove any virus. Personally I doubt it is a virus, if it were, surely the easiest version of checking this is with a floppy disc and virus killer on it.

Sounds more like a harddrive crash somwhere down the line.....

 

[habba]

ooops-I meant format

 

[habba]

it would be nice if I had another HD to try
As I said before,
I tried to boot from start up disk but am unable to change dir
suggestions?

 

[habba]

^^^

 

[habba]

^^^

 

[JetBlack69]

Did you use the same IDE cable? How old is the system? When do you get some of the error messages?

Could be the mobo, IDE cables or IDE connector. Did you try placing the first hard drive into another system?

 

[habba]

^^^

 

[habba]

Well I put the faulty HD in my other system and installed Win98 then put it back in the Compaq. So it's up and running. It took some fiddling to get the D drive to work. Now for some reason neither of the two PCI slots won't recognize the Nic card. Need to clear the Bios I think....not sure how to.......