fdisk dont work. "No fixed disk present."

> i have an old computer that used to have 95. i have the
> cd. i tried to install mandrake 9 linux and it froze
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> From Nick

Nick:

Probably the Linux install started to create a Linux partition on the
HDD but never finished. Since MS FDISK knows nothing about the Linux
file system it may not see the drive. Usually it reports "Unknown
partition type" and just refuses to remove it but if the Linux install
had problems it may not see the drive at all.

The solution is to get back to square one with "ZAP.EXE" that zerows out
the MBR of the disk and will let FDISK do it's thing. You can find it
here:

http://ftp.cizgi.com.tr/IBM/

ZAP.TXT - Read me text file for ZAP.COM version 1.xx

==================================================================

Instructions:

1. Download ZAP.EXE to a temporary directory on your PC.
2. Run the ZAP.EXE program to extract the files.
3. The following two files will be extracted to the
temporary directory.
-- ZAP.COM
-- ZAP.TXT (this file)
4. Copy the files to a bootable diskette.
5. Use the following syntax to run the ZAP program
from a DOS prompt:

Syntax: ZAP [<fdisk#>|?]

Where <fdisk#> = 0 to 7 for Fixed Disk Drive 0
to Fixed Disk Drive 7.
or ? = Display help.

ZAP writes the first 128 logical blocks of the drive with 00h
pattern, starting at Cylinder 0, Head 0, Sector 1.

ZAP will prompt you to make sure you want to ZAP the drive
before doing so, you must answer 'y' or 'Y' and press enter.
Any other responce and ZAP will abort.

ZAP will display any non zero error code returned from the
Fixed Disk function call.

If you do not enter a parameter, ZAP will display help.

Sample Session Screen:

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A:\>ZAP ?
ZAP Version 1.xx mm/dd/yy

Syntax: ZAP [<fdisk#>|?]
<fdisk#> = 0 to 7
? = Diplays this help

Example: ZAP 1
This example will ZAP physical fixed disk drive 1

A:\>ZAP 0
ZAP Version 1.xx mm/dd/yy
All Data on Fixed Disk Will Be Unrecoverable,
Are You Sure You Want to ZAP Physical Fixed Disk Drive 0 (Y/N)? y
ZAP of Fixed Disk Drive 0 Complete.

A:\>_

------------------------------------------------------------------------
All information is provided by IBM on an "AS IS" basis only. IBM
provides
no representations and warranties, express or implied, including the
implied
warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and merchantability.

Use of tool downloads provided by IBM is at the recipient's own
risk. IBM
does not grant any licenses to any copyrights, patents or any other
intellectual
property rights.

(c) International Business Machines Corporation 2001.

HTH & GL

John

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Reply to this Message

JNick - 26 Sep 2003 01:51 GMT

when i ran zap it just had a heap of writing about an
error then it didnt say "Zap of fixed disk drive complete
A:>_
i am running it by loading it from the 98 bootdisk as its
the only way i can get into a command prompt.

>-----Original Message-----
>>
[quoted text clipped - 96 lines]
>
> John

Reply to this Message

John Dulak - 26 Sep 2003 14:04 GMT

> when i ran zap it just had a heap of writing about an
> error then it didnt say "Zap of fixed disk drive complete
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> >>
> >> From Nick

Nick:

There may be a physical problem with the drive. Take Jeff's advice and
check the BIOS and cables.

john

Signature

\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at:|(\
/ )| telerama.com/~jdulak |( \
_( (|________________________________|) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \

Reply to this Message

Check in BIOS setup whether the disk is recognised properly. Check the disk
drive data and power cables. Run hard disk drive diagnostics to find out if
the disk is working properly.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP W95/W98

> i have an old computer that used to have 95. i have the
> cd. i tried to install mandrake 9 linux and it froze
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> From Nick

Reply to this Message

Nick - 26 Sep 2003 01:42 GMT

when i ran zap it just had a heap of writing about an
error then it didnt say "Zap of fixed disk drive complete
A:>_
i am running it by loading it from the 98 bootdisk as its
the only way i can get into a command prompt.

>-----Original Message-----
>Check in BIOS setup whether the disk is recognised properly. Check the disk
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

Jeff Richards - 26 Sep 2003 07:27 GMT

I don't understand your response as it doesn't seem to relate to anything I
suggested. Did you check the cables? Did you confirm that the drive is
recognised correctly in BIOS setup? Did you run disk drive diagnostics and
what was the result?

If FDISK reports that no disk drive is present then it's unlikely that any
other utility will be able to access it. A diagnostic might tell you why.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP W95/W98

> when i ran zap it just had a heap of writing about an
> error then it didnt say "Zap of fixed disk drive complete
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Nick - 27 Sep 2003 02:18 GMT

Sorry jeff, i replied to the wrong letter.

>-----Original Message-----
>I don't understand your response as it doesn't seem to relate to anything I
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

nick - 27 Sep 2003 07:26 GMT

sorry i replied that message to the wrong person.

How do you run disk drive diagnostics? i only have a 98SE bootdisk and a 95
cd.

i cannot open the case as i donot know how. it doesnt have any screws on
them outside exept the ones holding the fan and the power supply in. do you
have any ideas as to how i could get it off.

From Nick

> I don't understand your response as it doesn't seem to relate to anything I
> suggested. Did you check the cables? Did you confirm that the drive is
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> > >
> > >.

Reply to this Message

Nick - 27 Sep 2003 02:39 GMT

when i boot the computer it has a screen saying a heap of
stuf in a box and it says

Hard Disk 0: none
Hard Disk 1: none
Hard Disk 2: none
Hard Disk 3: none.

under the box it says "operating system not found."
this screen comes up after the post screen.
also how do i run hard disk diagnostics. i only have a
98SEootdisk.(of our other pc.)
also i cannot open the case. i dont know how. it doesnt
have any screws to open it. it almost looks like it needs
to slide offbut the metal sides are screwed onto the
platic cover on the front inside the case. i can only
take off the spare cd rom cover but there is nothing in
there to take it apart.
if you have any ideas please tell me.
from Nick

>-----Original Message-----
>Check in BIOS setup whether the disk is recognised properly. Check the disk
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

John Dulak - 27 Sep 2003 13:19 GMT

> when i boot the computer it has a screen saying a heap of
> stuf in a box and it says
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> >
> >.

Nick:

The initial screen is the BIOS reporting on the hardware it has
detected. The fact that it reports no hard drives detected means that
there is a problem with the hard drive OR the cable OR the controller OR
the CMOS battery has gone dead. The battery retains the configuration
when the PC is off and runs the real time clock / calendar.
Unfortunately all these require you to open the case and some can be
intelligence tests in disguise :-)

The HDD diagnostics program would come from the manufacturer's web site
BUT: untill the BIOS correctly identifys the drive the software would be
useless. Drives now and then DO die without warning.

Good Luck

John

Signature

\\\\\//
"Don't take life so seriously... | |
...it's only a temporary condition." (.) (.)
========================================oOO==(_)==OOo==
________________________________
| John G. Dulak |
| Gnomeway Services |
/)| E-mail me from my home page at:|(\
/ )| telerama.com/~jdulak |( \
_( (|________________________________|) )_
((( \ \ > /_) ( \ < / / )))
(\\\ \ \_/ / \ \_/ / ///)
\ / \ /
\ _/ \_ /
/ / \ \

Reply to this Message

Go into the BIOS setup and make sure the hard drive is set
up properly. Use autodetect if available and save the settings.
Then try fdisk.

Ben

> i have an old computer that used to have 95. i have the
> cd. i tried to install mandrake 9 linux and it froze
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> From Nick

Reply to this Message