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Attempting to re-install OS on a sick computer

This is a workstation which was running w98.  The user (on a domain) rebooted the system, logged in and it came up with no desktop.  There is the domain back ground but no icons, toolbars, nothing.  The system will boot into safe mode and works just fine.  Everything is there.  I have un-installed the symantec client that was installed, due to experiencing that problem once before but still the same.  I have backed the system to another hard drive, attempted to run windows 98 setup but can only get so far before the following errors occurr:

invalid long file name - fixed it
The was a invalid first cluster that scan disk deleted
free space was reporting incorrectly - fixed it
a report there are other errors on the drive
Directory Structure had errors - fixed them
And now is running surface scan.

This will be the second attempt to get Windows 98 setup to run.  
Does anyone have any ideas?  I would greatly appreciate the help.  
Thanks a bunch!
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LeeTutor
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blue_zee
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If you backed up the data, why not go for a clean install (fdisk, format)?

Zee
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SCUD1

ASKER

I backed up the system when I got it (sick) so if I format the hard drive and then restore the files back.  I backed the sick hard drive to good hard drive (making my backup  somewhat sick as well)  Wouldn't that put me right back where I'm at?
Please advice....needless to say...I'm tired of dealing with this.  I would like to get it finished and back to the user.  
Thanks so much,
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blue_zee
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If you made a full back up of the HDD and restore it, no doubt you will be back at the starting point.

If you backed up data and specific software, you can (depending on the backup...) reinstall Windows from scratch, reinstall the software and then (only then) restore the data you backed up.

The errors point to bad HDD (as suggested by LeeTutor) or, if you're lucky, a corrupted Windows install that could eventually be fixed by a clean reinstall.

I wonder if that is clear...

Feel free to post back.

Zee
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Ok...here is the latest update the on going sick computer saga!!!  I have tried everything so the "executive" decision I've made is...install a brand new hard drive, install Windows 2000 Prof. on it, load all drivers, connect the backed drive and copy over data files.  Sounds like a good idea BUT...I getting messages within the install process stating that more than a handful of files could be copied.  This is a new hard drive with a fresh copy of windows being installed.  Why would these files not be about to be copied?  I know the CD is ok.  What's going on now?  Is it possibly the system?  It's only a month old???  HELP...again!!!
Thanks,
SCUD1
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LeeTutor
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You are attempting to install Win2k on the second hard drive, I assume?  While leaving Win98 on drive c:?  I am not sure (it's only a theory), but I think the Win2k install still might be trying to use drive c: for holding installation files temporarily, and it is finding errors which inhibit the copy process.  Can you try switching the old drive and the new, with the old drive as slave and then see if the errors occur?
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The old hard drive isn't even in the system any longer.  I hooked up a new hard drive in the system and trying to install W2000 and getting these messages.  That's what I can't understand because I just used this CD in another system and it loaded just fine but I attempt to us it in this system on a new hard drive (right out of the package) and getting these "can't copy files" messages????  BOY...I hate computers sometimes!!!  
I would like to thank you Lee for helping me.
 
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Not sure how important it may be, but did you reset your Bios after installing the new HDD?

It may be worth a try: press DEL at startup, entering the Bios menu.

You should have a " Load Default Settings" or "Load Safe Settings". Try loading these and retry.

And did you format the HDD?

Zee
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Ok...it was the RAM!!!  Thanks Lee Tutor!!!  Windows 2000 is not installed and I'm currently joining the system to our domain.  Then I will need to attempt to get her data files copied over and functioning properly.  Hold your breathe....I am!!!
The saga continues!!!  :)