w95 loading problems

[AlPhilps]

I managed to delete some *important files* (sorry to be so technical ) and rebooted after running Spybot software. Now w95 won't load properly.

I'm pretty sure config.sys has gone missing. Moving to c:\windows in dos and typing *win* gives the message that "HIMEM.SYS is missing." (it isn't!).

Any ideas as to what I might have done and how to rectify it?

As a last resort, I have a full copy of w98 os (don't have the w95 discs as its an ex-works pc and yes I do have the licence...). Can I install w98 *over* w95 from dos whilst retaining non os directories on the hard drive?


Would appreciate any advice, I'm a bit stumped.....

cheers

Al

 

[wolluf]

win95 doesn't need config.sys to run (it loads himem.sys anyway, normally) - but have you checked out what's in your config.sys? (You are obviously booting to a command prompt - so can run edit c:\config.sys). Also, have you tried step by step boot (press F8 before win95 boots to get menu - select setp by step). This might give you an idea why its not loading windows.

You can install win98 over 95. If I remember rightly (been a while), you may need to rename the win.com file in C:\windows (eg, to win.bak). It will leave non-os folders and files intact.

 

[AlPhilps]

Thanks Wolluf.
Haven't tried the step-by-step boot, will give it a go before I reinstall the os.

Cheers
Al

 

[bgross22]

Get a 95 bootup disk and type sys c: at the prompt. Should fix your problem. In the config.sys it normally says device=c:\windows\himem.sys. Worse case just put that line in the config.sys and it should boot up if the file is in the windows directory and it is not corrupt.

 

[AlPhilps]

Thanks bgross22 but I'd tried that.

Also tried renaming win.ini to win.bak (as suggested) and loading w98 - gets a bit further in the set-up and fails witha gpf....

As a last resort I was thinking I might move all my data files to a single directory and delete everything else. I have a full copy of w98 and a boot disc. Any reason why I shouldn't do that or any other suggestions before I leap in??

Ta

 

[edfair]

I normally clean all the previous windows stuff out before I load a different version into the same space. Requires a reload of programs to link everything up, but have found that the pain is less that way.
Boot to DOS, move deltree into a non windows directory and deltree windows. Takes forever but it will be clean.
BUT, before you do it that way make sure that your 98 bootdisk supports your CD. And you may want to put the 98 install stuff on the HD so you can install from there. Faster and you always have the files you need for HW upgrades. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[wolluf]

Alphilps,

Saving data and removing everything else should be fine.
btw - its win.com, not win.ini I said to rename!

 

[AlPhilps]

OOps. Wolluf, thanks....