xzbit
asked on
COMPUTER will not boot up into windows
My computer runs through the boot up process, it shows the win98 splash window for a second then it goes into the c:\prompt but when I try toget into config.sys or any other files ,it tells me it can not find file or its a bad command. Any workaround?
ASKER
No it have'nt been worked on, I came home to it not wanting to boot up- I beleive it happen after a lightning strike because the surge suppressor was off, but the computer still worked once I move it to a wall socket. For some reason no matter how I change the boot sequence it still boots up this way.
ASKER
Oh yeah the only thing you get is the Command.com files
so you get no other files?
sounds like it is wiped clean to me
do you have multiple hard drives in that machine? are you comfortable with taking it apart and moving around your IDE devices?
what happens if you type fdisk after booting up?
-red
sounds like it is wiped clean to me
do you have multiple hard drives in that machine? are you comfortable with taking it apart and moving around your IDE devices?
what happens if you type fdisk after booting up?
-red
ASKER
No its only 1 hard drive and yes I'll do what ever to make it work
redseatechnologies , you're on good track.
Besides the command dir you suggested I would do some other checks too.
Once you boot your system,xzbit , type following commands ( one at the time):
chkdsk
scandisk c: /autofix /nosave
win
-------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
first one will check filesystem status of your hard-disk
second one will try to fix files system, directory structure,crosslinked files etc and
third one will try to launch Windows in graphical mode.
-------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
And be carefull with fdisk. I'd rather type:
fdisk /status
to check parttion table of the hard-disk.
-------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- -------
good luck
nedvis
Besides the command dir you suggested I would do some other checks too.
Once you boot your system,xzbit , type following commands ( one at the time):
chkdsk
scandisk c: /autofix /nosave
win
--------------------------
first one will check filesystem status of your hard-disk
second one will try to fix files system, directory structure,crosslinked files etc and
third one will try to launch Windows in graphical mode.
--------------------------
And be carefull with fdisk. I'd rather type:
fdisk /status
to check parttion table of the hard-disk.
--------------------------
good luck
nedvis
ASKER
Now the its stuck in this mode-it keeps stating this:
Type name of Command Interpreter after the c:\prompt
Type name of Command Interpreter after the c:\prompt
when it asks for that, type in command.com
from everything you are telling us here, i have to say that i think your harddrive is seriously corrupted, if not totally destroyed. it appears to be getting considerably worse, and may not even be worth formatting to reinstall windows on.
If you are confident in your computer skills, i would recommend purchasing a new hard drive and trying to install windows on that. If not, i would say your best bet is to take it to the local computer store and tell them a surge hit it.
was there anything on the disk that was of extreme importance?
-red
from everything you are telling us here, i have to say that i think your harddrive is seriously corrupted, if not totally destroyed. it appears to be getting considerably worse, and may not even be worth formatting to reinstall windows on.
If you are confident in your computer skills, i would recommend purchasing a new hard drive and trying to install windows on that. If not, i would say your best bet is to take it to the local computer store and tell them a surge hit it.
was there anything on the disk that was of extreme importance?
-red
"Type name of Command Interpreter after the c:\prompt "
You type :
c:\windows
or just
c:\
-------------------------- -
It would be great if you can obtain Windows98 Statup disk ( your friends can make one for you)
so you can boot system from floppy and examine the hard-disk
Your file system or even hard-disk is apparently dammaged .
__________________
good luck
nedvis
You type :
c:\windows
or just
c:\
--------------------------
It would be great if you can obtain Windows98 Statup disk ( your friends can make one for you)
so you can boot system from floppy and examine the hard-disk
Your file system or even hard-disk is apparently dammaged .
__________________
good luck
nedvis
My computer runs through the boot up process, it shows the win98 splash window for a second then it goes into the c:\prompt but when I try toget into config.sys or any other files ,it tells me it can not find file or its a bad command. Any workaround?
I once went on a ‘warez’ site, started to download a file and since that time I only had a dial up service I went to watch TV. When I came back the screen with the icons still were as I left them. When I clicked on an Icon, I got a blank screen. Well I found out that some clever person wiped my HD clean.
Any way go to the C:\ type DIR. If nothing appears your HD is blank. Let us know what you see.
Do you have a working antivirus program? (or did)
Also a good firewall is www.zonealarm.com
With lightning strikes even a vacuum cleaner can damage your HD. But since you do not get a message regarding the HD, I would assume it is ok.
Thus if Dir shows a blank HD, then you will need to first hook up the surge supressor. I have aBelkin surge supressor which guarantees hardware down stream up to 35000 dollars. One day it failed and my HD died. They replaced both without any hesitation.
Using your boot disk:
You need to do a fdisk
Format c:\
Reboot with cd rom support
Insert the cd rom
Go t o the device letter where the cd rom is located and reinstall windows.
Install your Fire wall.
Next reinstall your antivirus program, get the update antivirus definitions.
Update your windows
Gonzal13(joe)
I once went on a ‘warez’ site, started to download a file and since that time I only had a dial up service I went to watch TV. When I came back the screen with the icons still were as I left them. When I clicked on an Icon, I got a blank screen. Well I found out that some clever person wiped my HD clean.
Any way go to the C:\ type DIR. If nothing appears your HD is blank. Let us know what you see.
Do you have a working antivirus program? (or did)
Also a good firewall is www.zonealarm.com
With lightning strikes even a vacuum cleaner can damage your HD. But since you do not get a message regarding the HD, I would assume it is ok.
Thus if Dir shows a blank HD, then you will need to first hook up the surge supressor. I have aBelkin surge supressor which guarantees hardware down stream up to 35000 dollars. One day it failed and my HD died. They replaced both without any hesitation.
Using your boot disk:
You need to do a fdisk
Format c:\
Reboot with cd rom support
Insert the cd rom
Go t o the device letter where the cd rom is located and reinstall windows.
Install your Fire wall.
Next reinstall your antivirus program, get the update antivirus definitions.
Update your windows
Gonzal13(joe)
xzbit.
I agree with the comments that your hard drive is seriously corrupted, but are you prepared to format it and lose all data on it?
It's probably at that stage right now, but perhaps the following command will work after booting to a windows 98 boot floppy:
FDISK /MBR
which rebuilds the Master Boot Record and MIGHT fix the problem after a reboot.
That command is NOT without risks, however, and I would tend to use it as a last-ditch effort if other methods have failed and you are faced with a format.
I agree with the comments that your hard drive is seriously corrupted, but are you prepared to format it and lose all data on it?
It's probably at that stage right now, but perhaps the following command will work after booting to a windows 98 boot floppy:
FDISK /MBR
which rebuilds the Master Boot Record and MIGHT fix the problem after a reboot.
That command is NOT without risks, however, and I would tend to use it as a last-ditch effort if other methods have failed and you are faced with a format.
It seems that one of the best things to guard a computer and monitor against lightning strikes is to tie an overhand knot in the mains power cables leading to them. Not too tight, or it creates too much resistance and can heat up, but not too loose so that it is just a loop.
Mark Minasi (http://www.minasi.com/) has frequently quoted the results of research where, in a particularly bad thunderstorm period around Washington in 1989, electrical appliances with knots in the power cables were some of the only ones to come out unscathed. Apparently the surge works against itself and burns out the cable at the knot before it reaches the appliance, and was tested to be effective on modem to phone socket cables also.
I have surge protectors AND knots, just to make sure :-)
Mark Minasi (http://www.minasi.com/) has frequently quoted the results of research where, in a particularly bad thunderstorm period around Washington in 1989, electrical appliances with knots in the power cables were some of the only ones to come out unscathed. Apparently the surge works against itself and burns out the cable at the knot before it reaches the appliance, and was tested to be effective on modem to phone socket cables also.
I have surge protectors AND knots, just to make sure :-)
And, if I may add one more to Bill's list, in TV antenna cables!
Zee
Well these are the best comments I have heard.
Joe
Joe
SYS your hard drive again and reboot. You can do this from either the CD or the Floppy.
www.bootdisk.com
www.bootdisk.com
delete away
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ditto ditto
Thank you, xzbit !!!
I have to say that this is the strangest way I have had acomment accepted in Experts Exchange :-)
I have to say that this is the strangest way I have had acomment accepted in Experts Exchange :-)
if you type in dir , what do you get
it sounds like it has been formatted to windows 98, but nothing has been installed
has this machine ever worked? what was the most recent thing that happened to it?
thanks
-red