My husbands Win98 will not boot to Windows.
All we see is the Startup Menu with the choices and the fifth choice is already highlighted (command prompt Only) It says Warning: Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose command prompt only and run Scanreg. We did and it says "Data error reading C" and then Abort, Retry, Fail?
Thanks.

You could try booting with a Windows 98 boot floppy and typing FDISK /MBR at the A: prompt. If that works, use SCANREG /RESTORE and pick a date before the problems started.

He doesn't have a Win98 Boot floppy
Where can I get one?
I have a Win98SE emergency startup disk, but his is FE

You can get one here:

http://www.bootdisk.com/

Shelly

Thanks Shelly, I got the boot disk, but how do I do this. The first boot device is CD rom. Do I have to change it to floppy and how do I do that? I also tried booting with the Win98 CD and I can't seem to get anywhere.

I just booted from the CD rom and tried using the Gateway restoration disk to reinstall Windows. I got an error: "a serious disk error has occurred while writing to drive D (which is the CDRom drive) What does that mean?
Thanks

**edit**everything was fine when he shutdown last night, but when he tried to startup there were some weird noises going on.

I had the same error message and it turned out to be a bad HD in my case. In yours it could be something else. Keep trying until you are sure it is the HD.

Thanks Pauliez, we think the hard drive died

As Darren suggested above, boot with the W98 startup disk, when you get to the A: prompt, type fdisk /mbr and press Enter. Then back at the A: prompt type sys c: and press enter again. You should see a message that files were copied. Remove the floppy disk and reboot. If that does not get you booting off the hard drive, it may have a damaged boot sector. you can download the diagnostic utility for the hard drive from its manufacturer to determine if the drive is bad.

Shelly

I don't think I am doing this right. When you say boot with the Startup disk, do you mean I just put the disk in and reboot or do I have to change a setting in the bios? When I boot with the floppy in, I still get the message to choose command Prompt Only and the C:\> is shown. So how do you boot from a floppy?
**I guess I really don't know how to boot from a floppy. I looked in the bios and Floppy is the second device in boot options. I tried to change the first boot to floppy but floppy is not listed in the choices...only floptical. So back at the C:\> I typed A:\>, enter, then the fdisk \mbr and then sys c: and I got the same message ""Data error reading C" and then Abort, Retry, Fail?

Yes Joyce,
You will have to go into the BIOS (setup) and change the boot order to:

A, CDROM, C.

Put the boot floppy in the A drive, then reboot.

choose: START COMPUTER WITHOUT CDROM SUPPORT to get you to the A:\>


follow Darren and Shelly's advice re. fdisk /mbr and Sys C: then
scanreg /restore.

If nothing works, then like Shelly said, run the diagnostic program to get a definite fix on the hard drive.

You should be able to change the BIOS settings to make the floppy drive first in the boot order. If you can, look up a manual for that PC on the manufacturer's web site to learn how to change that boot sequence.

Another possiblity is that there might built in help in the BIOS settings. Look for something on screen when you are in the BIOS settings that suggests help.

You need to enter the BIOS Setup and set the floppy drive ads the first boot device, CD ROM as second, and C: crive as third. Thaat should be your standard sequence. Then if youinsert a bootable floopy it will work, if you leave the flpppy drive empty and insert a bootable CD, it will work, and if both drives are empty the hard drive will boot.

The disk you downloaded from Bootdisk .com is an image file. It is not usable until you extract the file to a floppy disk. From the Website instructions:

Most of the bootdisk files are self extracting images of bootable floppies. After you download the image file, insert a fresh floppy in your A: drive and click on the file to make the disk.

Shelly

Joyce,

Those of us with custom built systems have a different BIOS display from what Dell, Gateway, and HP use. We have many more options available. For example, Dell restricts those options to only a few items, one of which is Boot Order or Boot Sequence. You need to look for something like that in BIOS setup to assign the floppy drive first boot priority. Editing the boot order in such a system is usually done with certain keys. Common keys include the spacebar, scroll keys, and the + and - keys.

Thanks Allyn. I think I found it, I just don't know how to change it!
Boot Device Priority - 1st boot device is the CDrom, 2nd boot device is the floppy. When I click on the 1st (CDRom), I don't get a choice to change to floppy. I feel so stupid about this, but there is no choice for floppy, the only thing close is "floptical" whatever that is.

jeez, i missed all the posts before Allyns! I'm a little dizzy tonight. I think Ttech has it, I have to change the 2nd before I have the option to change the first to floppy.
Thank you all for your help and patience.

*edit* Shelly, if I understand you correctly, I don't have to change the sequence; if the CDrom was empty, it would go to the floppy? I have to keep running up and down the stairs because my husband's computer is downstairs and my XP upstairs

Joyce, Michael is correct. Page Up/Page Down are used by some systems. Check your legend for the function assignment. The legend is usually near the bottom of the screen. Also, you might want to consult the Gateway manual and/or support website.

>**I guess I really don't know how to boot from a floppy. I
>looked in the bios and Floppy is the second device in boot
>options. I tried to change the first boot to floppy but floppy
>is not listed in the choices...only floptical.

The BIOS may not let you select the same device twice. Try changing the second device to floptical, then see if you can change the first device to floppy. If that works, you can uses the same procedure to change the second and third devices.

>So back at the
>C:\> I typed A:\>, enter, then the fdisk \mbr and then sys c:
>and I got the same message ""Data error reading C" and then
>Abort, Retry, Fail?

I think the drive may be toast. I hope you have backups of your important files.

"Thanks Allyn. I think I found it, I just don't know how to change it!
Boot Device Priority - 1st boot device is the CDrom, 2nd boot device is the floppy. When I click on the 1st (CDRom), I don't get a choice to change to floppy. I feel so stupid about this, but there is no choice for floppy, the only thing close is "floptical" whatever that is."

normally you would select 'first boot device' then use the PageUp PageDown keys to change the values.
Your setup may be different.
Look at the bottom right of your screen and you should see some sort of brief instructions for moving around in your BIOS settings.

Thank you all very much and Shelly I never saw that I had to actually run that boot.exe to a floppy. It would help if I read some directions.
I figured out (with everyone's help) how to change the boot sequence and now back downstairs to give it a try and use this (correct) startup disk.

This is kind of fun. I got to the A prompt, and typed fdisk /mbr, enter, and then after the A prompt sys c: , enter. The floppy started working, but then I got: "General failure writing to drive C, Abort, Retry, Fail? " Guess I will have to diagnose the hard drive?
*edit* I am a little less dumb than I was when I started this.....thanks to all of you.

Depending the age of your husband's '98 it sounds like the HDD did die on him and it is time for a new one.

Can you run: A:\>scandisk /all /surface on it?

If you use A:\>fdisk , can you see the drive(s)(Option 4) and if the C: drive is set active 'A' ?

Try slaving the drive to your own computer and see if you can read it.

Get his data off and then see if you can fdisk and re-format it.

Thanks Ian, All I can get is "Data error reading C" and then Abort, Retry, Fail?

Well, this means possible trouble. This error means exactly what it says, that is, that the command you gave cannot read or write to the hard drive.

Now, booted from the floppy, be careful and run "fdisk" to see what the disk "looks" like so far as partitions.

from "A:\"

type "fdisk" and hit the (ENTER) key

normally, there will be big text screen, and asking for "large disk support?" type "y" for yes, and (ENTER)


Now, you should see a screen with some options, you want (4)"display disk partions"

Type 4 and (ENTER)


Tell us what that screen says.

Thanks Delar, I can't do it right now as my husband has decided to take my older computer (win98SE) and fool around with his "messed up" one at his leisure, if he ever gets any leisure
He got the computer in 97 or 98, so the hard drive probably has "gone south". I have also downloaded the Western Digital diagnostic tool (as suggested by Shelly) and we'll run that when we get a chance.
Thanks again......to everyone who helped me figure this out. At least I learned a few things.

All he can do really is to slave the drive to your older computer and see if it can be read straight or if a data recovery program can get the data off for him.

Time for a new 7,200 rev/min drive with a nice cache.

Hi Ian,He might get a new drive for it - when he gets the time to fool around. We found the receipt and he got the Win98 in Sept.98. So the hard drive lasted almost 6 years. Is that good or bad? My old computer that he is going to use was purchased in Aug. 99, so maybe that hard drive is on it's way out too

What is the average life span of a harddrive. 4yrs?? or it depends on usage??

priscilla


i-MAC newbie out of training

Thanks Priscilla, I guess we can't complain then. The hard drive was only 6GB ! Very small compared to what they sell today. The hard drive in the Win98SE is only 13GB.

I dont know what average is, but i know that harddrives can and do last way longer than that.

I have computers in my house from 1995 and one hard drive that i believe to be from an older computer than that.

Their hard disks are still running fine.

SUPERCZAR
2600+ Barton, NForce2, 512 PC3200, DVD+/-RW, XP Pro
Celeron 2ghz, 512 PC2100, 240gb, Slackware
Powerbook G3 500mhz, 256mb, WiFi, X.3.4
Toshiba e740, WiFi, PPC2002

I have a 128Mb drive that is from 1990!

It would normally depend on the total running hours, but any flaw in manufacture or any manufacturing tolerance that has escaped the attention of the quality control engineers can cause premature failure.

The quality of the drive you buy does not only depend on its characteristics but on the excellence of the quality control and the accuracy of all of the guaging used in the process of manufacture which is the province of the quality control inspectorate.

>It would normally depend on the total running hours, but any
>flaw in manufacture or any manufacturing tolerance that has
>escaped the attention of the quality control engineers can
>cause premature failure.
>
>The quality of the drive you buy does not only depend on its
>characteristics but on the excellence of the quality control
>and the accuracy of all of the guaging used in the process of
>manufacture which is the province of the quality control
>inspectorate.


when my computer is in sleep mode does that count as running hours?? or only when im actually using the computer?

i have it on all day in and out of sleep,and if thats running time, maybe i should shut it down during the day till i need to use it again??

priscilla


i-MAC newbie out of training

The best advice really is, that if you are not using it then turn it off. The other reason for this is that the FBI always say that if you dion't need to be connected to the internet then you should be disconnected, as the longer you stay on the longer hackers have to hack into your system.

Our main systems are no longer connected to the internet for these very security reasons. If information has to be transferred to other departments then it is physically moved from a secure intranet to an independant internet connected computer terminal on a floppy or other re/movable medium.

Are they both made by the same firm?

Drive failure is more by chance than anything else.

The manufacturers warranty period has been well exceeded in most cases.

All of our computers are from Gateway and Western Digital drives.

Sounds like a good advertisement, are you pleased with them?

There are only 2 kinds of hard drives...

Those that have failed, and those that will fail.

As a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer, concerned with the production running and maintenance of power plant, I would agree with you.

If it is the HD then I recomend Western Digital from Crucial. It will be a great buy, idiot proof to format and setup and will also help this forum. I know I just got one. Good luck. PS. I went from 2mb to 8mb on the cache and all I can say is "WOW"

Since when was Crucial selling Western Digital hard disks?

as far as i can tell, theyre still not...


SUPERCZAR
2600+ Barton, NForce2, 512 PC3200, DVD+/-RW, XP Pro
Celeron 2ghz, 512 PC2100, 240gb, Slackware
Powerbook G3 500mhz, 256mb, WiFi, X.3.4
Toshiba e740, WiFi, PPC2002

About time they started then!

You misunderstood my post. I did not state that I bought my Western Digital from Crucial but that I bought a Western Digital HD and that seeing the post about helping this forum with a purchase from Crucial I recommended it. I was not aware that they did not sell Western Digital. I agree they should start. I was lucky to see post from many on this forum that recommended Western Digital as a name brand to choose.

Why would Crucial which is a memory company only,want to start pedaling hard drives

LilJoe

"Why would Crucial which is a memory company only,want to
start peddling hard drives?"

To coordinate the sales of hardware and increase its share of business as a manufacturer's wholesaler.

Also it would be in a position to standardise the production of hardware reducing competition and reducing prices at the same time provided that inflation based price restraints were applied by governmental agencies globally to prevent the forming of a monopoly and to prevent the making of excessive profits.

This would mean that you would get the best product at a fair price instead of settling for a slightly lower quality product at possibly a higher price.

I was involved in manufacturing industry especially in quality control for a while.

:bs:

LilJoe

Why do you think it is BS when other wholesalers do the same thing?

It wasn't me Paul, honestly!

Some answers to questions posed, while I was bust at other things:

If the message received when running sys C: was that it could not write to the drive, it means the Boot Sector is damaged and the drive is toast. The Boot Sector are the only tracks on a drive that can not be replaced by othee tracks.

Any drive will last until the first of its parts fail. That could take one hour or one decade or longer, or anything in between. I have at least one drive that has been running 24/7 for 9 years. (it's a WD).

To extend the life of the spindle bearings, a drive should be set to spin down after a reasonable period of inactivity These setting are in Windows Power Management.

Shelly

Thanks Shelly. Since that is the message we got, the "Boot Sector is damaged and the drive is toast"

I have mine set to never Shelly. What would you recommend as a reasonable period of inactivity?

What is reasonable for the manner in which you use your computer?

Mine is set for 30 minutes. That is enough to not activate if I stop working briefly because of a phone call or some other distraction.

Shelly