Computer seems to have crashed...HELP!!!

[tearsmith]

I have an Pentium II Desktop that is used for general office use with no internet access or external devices other than a printer. I have been running Win 98 on it. Yesterday when it was turned on it loaded to the black DOS screen that gives the computers component profiles. I have an message that says..

" DISK I/O ERROR
REPLACE DISK AND PRESS ANY KEY..."

I have checked the floppy and CD drives and there are no disks in there. Nothing I did seemed to work. Finally, after booting and rebooting several times, now it seems even more dead. That message is gone and nothing happens at all past the black DOS screen with the profiles on it. Can anyone tell me how to get this computer operational again? Do I need to reinstall everything or something?

Thanks.

 

[Lemon13]

go in bios and see if the hdd is still recognized. if not do a clear cmos(check manual) and make sure the cables (hdd) are seated.
your hdd might be gone.

 

[tearsmith]

Thanks for your reply, but I'm really afraid that you zoomed way up in the ether on me there. I usually just sit down, turn it on and create programs. Debugging a VB6 code I get, but debugging a fried computer is not my forte. Could you be a bit more detailed in what an hdd is and what does a cmos mean? Is this something I am looking on the screen for or are the "seated cables" something inside the pc itself?

Thanks..

 

[micker377]

Hey, don't worry. Some of us have been around computers so long we believe if you write in, you know all the tricks and all the answers to the universe. Actually, what he meant was to watch the boot-up screen to see if your hard drive is recognized. If it is listed, re-boot (ctl-alt-del), and press the del (repeatedly) key as soon as you see anything on the screen. This will take you into the "Set-up"screen. DON"T change anything yet! Look at the first screen and see if your "primary" hard drive is listed. It may give you a bunch of settings or just say "Auto". If it says "Auto", press the "Enter" key to see if it gives you a line of "heads, cylinders and other things". If this screen can't "see" your hard drive, it's time to write back for more intense troubleshooting (and maybe get your checkbook out!).
Just re-read your message, you may have to boot off an "Emergency Disk". You did make one? If not, make one one with the computer you are using to post here. If you are using Windows XP, don't worry about "Error in line 13" when you use the boot-disk.

 

[kjv1611]

First thing: make sure no CDRoms or Floppys, Zip drives, or any removable media are connected, b/c could be a file located in one of those locations that the machine doesn't "like".. [WINK]

If nothing there, and still problem, you can try the following (sounds crazy, but it's worked for me in the past). Try openening the physical computer case (some are more difficult than others, while some are extremely easy. To do this, just unplug all wires out of the back of machine to make sure none are in the way, look for any screws and/or levers/tabs that could be used to hold the thing together. Don't worry here, b/c unless you just beat the whole thing to death by slamming it up against a wall or dropping it out a window, then it's pretty much impossible to damage anything important. Once you have the case open, the hard drive is likely the only device that is metal and has at least 2 separate cable/wires comming out of it. The typical hard drive has one big cable, known as the IDE cable, and a smaller cable (power connector). Try unplugging the IDE cable, plug it back up, (don't close case just yet if you can get by with it, and try booting again. If that doesn't work, try disconnecting the power cable from the hard drive and the ide cable and reconnecting. If this does work, then it is likely a problem with your hard drive or the IDE cable or possibly (though not as likely) the IDE connector on your main/motherboard. If this fixes it, I would consider finding a new IDE ribbon cable - IT dept should have some extra, or be able to get some if you have an IT dept in your company, or if not, you can get one from any local computer store most likely - (not sure if chain stores would have - unless go to Compusa or some other "computer super store". If you replace the cable, and still have problems occasionally, then it may be the hard disk/ hard drive. The ide cable you can replace usually for between $1 and $5, unless you pay a "rip-off" price at some stores. If it's the hard drive, you can replace it easily for less than $100.

Also, one other option: if you get your first posts (showing BIOS version, "hit del for setup", etc), then you can hit F8 during the black screen just before Windows is supposed to start. That should give you options like, Start in Safe mode, normally, with networking, etc. If it gives the option, "Load with last known working configuration", or something like that, try that option. If not, try safe mode, and thus, see if there are any driver/software conflicts from something you likely installed or removed before you last shut down windows.

Stephen
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

 

[chriseubank]

I would boot off the Operating system CD and run Scandisk.