PLEASE HELP

[resStealth]

i just reformatted my drive and now when i try to install windows 98se it says drive is not valid. please help me fix this!!!!!!!

 

[MatrixVPR]

Make sure that your jumpers are set right and Cables are fully plugged in. If it's a SATA then you'll most likely need a driver disc to setup Windows. Try entering the BIOS and check to make sure that your drive is showing up! You may need to mess with some settings there. Give us some more info though. What kind of drive and what steps did you take to get you in this situation?

 

[resStealth]

i ran my startup disc and it gave me an A:\ prompt. i typed Format C: and formatted it. then i tried to reinstall the windows 98. at the end of the format it said the drive is no longer valid. i tried to run it through ultimate boot disk and i think it said to make sure all files were present and that windows was in the way. no good. i tried to reboot and run the windows cd and it now says missing operating system. please help me

 

[MatrixVPR]

Hum... 98 huh? is it the upgrade version?

 

[resStealth]

its windows 98 second edition
im getting now after attempting to run in safe mode, that
C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\DBLBUFF.SYS
C:\WINDOWS\IFSHLP.SYS
are missing or corrupted

 

[MatrixVPR]

I had to install 98 a few times and i remember it being a really big pain in the ass! I don't have any real experence with the OS though. It's a bit before my time. Windows XP i can help with. I sugest you repost and give the heading a bit more info than just help. Good luck!

 

[resStealth]

me and my friend both think the hard drive is bad or something. a general format shouldnt mess it up

 

[GunDog]

go here and download the win98 se boot disk
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

fdisk and reformat, give that a whirl.

 

[resStealth]

problem, my laptop dont have a floppy drive

 

[GunDog]

Originally posted by: resStealth
problem, my laptop dont have a floppy drive

Thats what is meant by the above post to provide more info. Had no idea it was a laptop, not to mention one without a floppy.

Do you have the original system disk that came with the laptop? ( this cd would be bootable)
Unless, you have a bootable cd your sunk. (There are ways to make a bootable disc with DOS)
How old is the laptop and what is its spec's?
Can it run WinXP or Win2000?

 

[MatrixVPR]

I was going to say tha you need to get a boot disc but yeah!!! Umm I'll look for the link on making a bootable CD. i had the same issue and i can't remember what i did with the shit!? I was over the summer so I have a to search. I'll let you know if i find the link.

 

[jackschmittusa]

I used a win98 boot floppy and Nero to make a bootable cd that boots to an A: prompt (even without a floppy drive). I added several DOS commands and some utilities to it. Works fine for running format and fdisk from a cd drive.

 

[resStealth]

alright i definitely need to add more info. first off the laptop isnt the issue. its my desktop. i have the drive completly wiped and cant boot to get the shit. the laptop doesnt have a floppy drive, so i cant get it that way. i have the restore disk that came with the compaq somewhere. i wonder if that would do the trick?

 

[resStealth]

alright i got the restore disk to run, but its freezing at 12 percent. ive tried running it twice and it freezes 43 seconds in every damn time. any ideas?

 

[Cruzlite]

As I remember, from re-installing Me...I believe you should delete the primary partition - then create & make active the primary part. (This removes all info on hdd) Then..escape fdisk..then format...
I'm guessing here ...but I believe you have overwritten the format (over) your old system...

You're using a Compac, I a Dell, so the setup & it's access will differ...but I would be surprised if the proceedure is not the same.
PM me & I will email my old reformat notes & debug script...
You may want to run a debug script (I do not know if it will help but it can't hurt)

Lu7k,
D

Edit; After further thought...The debug script MAY be unique to Dell...can send if you wish...

Also, am new to site...appears my pm is locked ...if you can't get through...post rquest on this thread...(Am subscribed)

 

[resStealth]

btw your messaging isnt locked, everyones are like that

 

[Cruzlite]

They are on the way..
Keep us posted...
Lu7k,
D