Stuck on WIN98 1

[Computerdummy]

Hey,Every time I start up my computer it boots up and stops at the "Microsoft Windows98" sign. And nothing happens I can't go any further. I can't even enter in "Safe Mode". I've pressed "esc" and it shows me info about my computer. And then it just sits there.Any suggestions?

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

If it is not a hardware issue, try booting with a startup disk and typeing scanreg /restore and choose a date prior to when this started

 

[Crustyoldbloke]

Good advice as usual from Buckeye. If that doesn't do the trick, try an overlay install of the OS from the CDROM. Regards
Phil

 

[Computerdummy]

Thanks for the advice!
When I put the start up disk in this came up "A:/" and I typed in "scanreg/restore" and it said "Bad command or file name". So I put the Windows98 cd-rom in and the nothing happens.Is there something I'm doing wrong?

 

[wolluf]

To run scanreg, you should either boot to a command prompt (ie, press F8 or Ctrl key before/during 98 booting to get boot menu - this may or may not work given your problem) or change to the folder it lives in on hard drive if booting frolm floppy (ie, from A: prompt type C:, then CD \windows\command, then try running scanreg).

To boot from 98 install CD to install 98 you need to change bios settings to boot from CD first (currently probably A:, then hard drive).

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

or at the a: prompt type path=c:\windows\command
by the way make sure there is a space between scanreg and /restore

 

[Wirdo]

another option to try may be to do a step by step startup (one of the options when you press f8). Load everything one at a time until you get to the files that are locking you up. Once you know whats locking you up there may be a easy fix to it.

 

[Computerdummy]

Now that i've been trying to do things to my computer I think that I've messed it up more. So how would I go by reformatting my computer? I don't really have much on it. Maybe that would help.

 

[Dade62]

Hi all..
for future reference...you'll all notice that computerdummy typed in the following in the fourth post down:
scanreg/restore
The correct way this should have been typed in and maybe even saving computerdummy some further problems is:
scanreg /restore (remembering there is a space after the word scanreg and before the /).
Take Care...
Dade62

 

[wolluf]

Computerdummy

To do a clean install, just boot from 98 boot floppy (with CD in drive) - enable CD support. At the A: prompt, type format C: /Q. Then run X:\setup (where X: is CD drive, normally E: with standard 98 boot floppy).

 

[Computerdummy]

Thank you sooooooo much Wolluf!!!! It worked! I thought I had to do something with the partitions, I hope I didn't mess anything up, But I got windows running again. I have another problem though my cd-rom isn't working. When I put a cd in it should run by itself right? Well, nothing happens.I even went to the "My computer" icon and I clicked on the cd and nothing happens. I really need it because my computer isn't detecting a modem after I reformatted it. Any suggestions??

 

[wolluf]

Q. The CD you put is is MEANT to autorun? What's on the CD? What happens if you put win98 install CD in the drive?

You say its not detecting a modem. Is it definitely a plug and play modem? What happens if you run the add hardware wizard? (Modem defintely working? Is it internal or external?)

 

[Computerdummy]

I guess it's meant to autorun. It's the 3com robotics cd. It's for my modem. Since my computer didn't detect a modem i'm trying to reinstall it.I'm really not sure about the "internal","external"
All I know is that when I go under the device manager tab. There's a big question mark next to "other devices" and under that it says "PCI Communication Device" and "PCI Multimedia Audio Device" And they both have a exclamation point and a question mark.

 

[wolluf]

Try removing both entries, and rebooting (with the driver CD in the drive). Windows should redetect devices (which will be your modem and its sound) and try to load drivers. Point it at the CD - ie, tick search CD drives box (before you start this, make sure you know where the drivers are located on the CD) - if it doesn't find them, go back and specify a location - then you point it to where the drivers are.