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geekjeff

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Cannot reload Win98...no DOS prompt

I'm trying to reload Win98SE on a machine.  I've done FDISK to delete and create the primary partition.  I'm to the point where I need to format the hard drive, but when I reboot the computer, it runs through its diagnostics, checks for what's connected and what's not, then gets to this one screen and just sits there with blinking cursor at the bottom of the page.  It won't bring up the DOS prompt I need to proceed.  I shut down, disconnected the power to the hard drive, and rebooted, and it booted from the boot disk fine.  But when the hard drive is powered up, it won't.  I tried to go into setup to check the boot order, but it won't go into setup: F1, F10, F8, Del...nothing works.  What do I need to do?  Could the hard drive be bad?  I'm working on this computer for someone else, and he at least didn't think there was any problem with the hard drive...just deleted some system files he shouldn't have and needed the OS reloaded.  I'm stuck.  Thanks.

Jeff
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AZSanDiegoHB

Hi geekjeff =)
1-reset bios on the mainboard's system jumper-if you need help with that can you tell me the make/model of the board?
2-make sure the keyboard is securely pluggeg in
3-when you did fdisk, did you use the command format c: /s

do all these things and you should be on your way!
i reread your question, and it looks like you haven't yet formatted the hard drive. so, here's a plan
#1 above-definitely reset bios on the motherboard, let me know if you need help with this,
2-when you get into bios, make sure floppy is first boot device
3-choose to boot without cdrom support, and do a format c: /s command
4-reboot *with* cdrom support this time
5-using the correct drive letter, <drive>: setup
and let it go, this should get you there

Are you using a startup floppy disk?

Zee
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Thanks, AZSanDiegoHB...you're right, I haven't gotten to the point of formatting yet.  I was ready to do that when this problem arose.  Yes, I would need instructions on resetting the bios.  I'm familiar with the BIOS settings, but I can't get into them.  Is this reset "on the mainboard's system jumper" a physical setting?  The PC is at home and I'm at work, so I'll try to find the MB make/model tonight and get back with you.  

Thanks,
Jeff
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AZSanDiegoHB

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If the BIOS has boot sector virus detection built in, make sure that it is disabled in the CMOS Setup before you install Windows.
I'd run Fdisk again and clear the MBR

fdisk /mbr

Then remove the partitions
Set DOS partition
Format

Thanks, AZSanDiegoHB!  Worked just like you said.  How did you know that was the solution?  I don't mean in the "I've done it a 100 times" sense...I mean what sort of thought process did you go through that might help me understand so I could recognize and know what to do if I were to see something like this again?

Thanks,
Jeff
hi, thanks for the question,
i think what caused me to suggest the jumper switch is that you mentioned your friend wasn't having any problems with the computer before he deleted some stuff, and then when you said you couldn't get into bios, i knew the jumper switch method would force you into bios. after that, since you implied there were no known previous problems with the computer, you should be back to default settings and be on your way. i hope this helps
It did.  Thanks!