win98 machine lost config.sys and autoexec.bat

[ralljtall]

My daughter has an old P-133 running win98se. She downloaded something from the web. Next cold boot the os would not load. I had her look for the config.sys and autoexec.bat but neither was found. Is there a minimum setup for these files that win98se requires to launch? I tried to build what I thought was a minimum on those files but the os displays the flash screen for an instant and kicks out to the dos prompt. Tried a downloaded boot disk but not sure what to use from it to solve her problem. Scandisk run yesterday found no problems with the hdd. Any help would be appreciated! And, yes, I already searched FAQ's---nothing found that relates.

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

neither file is required for 98 you can create them and put nothing in them.... at the c: prompt type scanreg /restore and choose a date prior to this problem then reboot

 

[ralljtall]

i get 'bad command or file name' when i try scanreg. do i need to clean out config.sys and autoexec.bat first? it acts like the scanreg utility is not present.

 

[ralljtall]

buckeye - i found scanreg on my daughters 98 cd and copied it to my boot floppy. i was able to run it but it says no registry backup info was found. i would prefer not to fresh install on the os since the hd was not backed up (no burner or network). would appreciate any other suggestions. by the way, i DO have a line in config.sys for HIMEM.sys. without it i get an error saying it's necessary. i look forward to your response or anyone's elses that might be relevant...

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

when you boot with the floppy drive you are at an a:\ prompt....switch to c: by typeing CD C: then type DIR type EDIT CONFIG.SYS the add the following lines...

device=c:\windows\himem.sys
device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
dos=high,umb

then hit the alt key then up arrow twice the enter twice...

then type EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT and add this line...

path=c:\windows;c:\windows\command

then hit the alt key up arrow twice then enter twice

i am trying to find what the msdos.sys file is suppose to look like so you can check it

 

[ralljtall]

after making your suggested entries to the config and autoexec, i get dos errors related to each entry. i checked the msdos.sys and found that it is currently empty. perhaps it needs to contain something in order for the config and autoexec to be functional. i appreciate your diligence in providing answers and i look forward to your next contact...

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

boot with the 98 boot disk and at the a: prompt type..sys a: c:
then try to boot again
also switch to the c: drive by typing
cd c:
then type
cd windows
then type
dir himem.sys /s
and see if the file is found

 

[edfair]

98SE loads the himem as default so the config.sys isn't needed.
The path command can be entered from the keyboard so autoexec.bat isn't needed. This is probably why your system didn't have either one.

You are in luck. Reinstalling SE is easy as it will overlay without corrupting anything (At least I've found it to be so).

Ed Fair
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.

 

[sgtjwhite]

Why not install Win98se again and you should not lose any info (data) Sounds like Win98se cannot find C:\windows (Dir)
If it was me I would run the install disk after you boot fom the emergency disk. Good Luck...
Later...

Som people have a handful of gimmie and a mouthful of S..t

 

[cdogg]

I agree with edfair. You can re-run the Win98SE setup without fear of losing any data on the HD. The setup will replace missing system files and only restore default settings for the OS in some areas.

A clean install is a different story. That involves the formatting of the drive prior to running the setup. That's not necessary...


~cdogg

"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
- A. Einstein

 

[mainegeek]

Hello Ralljtall,
Have you tried booting in safe mode F5 or F8 will get you there.

 

[ralljtall]

thanks to all who offered support for my issue. i ended up reinstalling 98se and it's working great.

i don't see any evidence of data that was on the pc prior to the install but i don't suppose there is anything to be done about that.

i was never able to boot in safe mode, mainegeek, not for lack of trying.

thanks again everybody...

 

[edfair]

Now it may be too late. Depends on how you installed it, most overlay installs leave data alone. But you have to specify that you want it to go into windows, not the windows.000 that it tries to use.
You might want to see if there is a windows and windows.000 directory. Ed Fair
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.