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Windows Forum / Windows Me / General Topics / October 2005Reboot won't complete
Today when I rebooted I got the message "Error loading operating system. Setup cannot continue." during the reboot. It seems the only keys that I can use on the keyboard are the Ctrl, Alt, Delete key, which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. You need to test that you are able to "see" the C: drive in Real Mode DOS before you can progress further. (You *may* have a failing HDD) Boot, using your WinMe Startup (floppy) disk and at the A:\> prompt, type C: and press Return. At the C:\> prompt, type "dir" (no quotes) then press return. Do you get a scrolling list of the contents of the C: drive, or an error report perhaps? BTW - do you have any sort of Drive Overlay (e.g. Ontrack) installed on your HDD? You might want to consider backing-up any recoverable/salvageable data before you go much further. Mart > Today when I rebooted I got the message "Error loading operating > system. Setup cannot continue." during the reboot. It seems the only > keys that I can use on the keyboard are the Ctrl, Alt, Delete key, > which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. > Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Thanks, Mart...Ido not have a floppy WinMe startup...I have a CD WinMe recovery...When I get to the A:\> prompt and enter C: I get an invalid entry response...does that mean I have a failing HD? I tried several times and got the same response...Is there a way I can get to the safe mode and maybe try to run scandisk? I do not have a Drive Overlay, at least I don't think I do...not sure what it is...I do have Norton Systems Works and I was using the Optimization Wizard when this problem occurred. I've done this many times before and never had any problems..while running Norton I had a power failure at my house...do you think that could have contributed to the problem? I appreciate your time and help...Thanks.. >You need to test that you are able to "see" the C: drive in Real Mode DOS >before you can progress further. (You *may* have a failing HDD) [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] >> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Joe wrote:- > ..I do not have a floppy WinMe startup... You can download a WinMe bootdisk making utility from www.bootdisk.com (choose the WinMe OEM version) to the computer that you are using to write your email - But be sure to read the instructions on how to actually create the bootdisk from the downloaded file. Don't just copy the download to a floppy disk, you need to run the download on the computer for it to actually create the Startup (floppy) disk. You need to then run the Startup Disk, as outlined previously and report back with any error reports etc., seen - then, depending upon the results, or perhaps just as importantly, how valuable your data is - we can discuss your next move. > .. I do not have a Drive Overlay, at least I don't think I do. Good! - That should make things easier. If you had, you would normally see some reference to it on the first boot-up DOS screens, before Windows attempts to load. You *may* have to confirm with your handbook. It is likely that you don't have an overlay installed, especially as your OEM has supplied a recovery CD. > ..while running Norton I had a power failure at my house...do > you think that could have contributed to the problem? Norton or the power failure? <bg> (a WinMe 'in-joke', - or should that be a Norton 'bad-joke'? - if it wasn't so serious!) Assuming a power failure was the underlying cause, we *may* be able to get you running again, but you will still need the WinMe Startup (floppy) Disk to proceed. We can worry about Norton later <vbg> (I hope!) Mart > Thanks, Mart...Ido not have a floppy WinMe startup...I have a CD WinMe > recovery...When I get to the A:\> prompt and enter C: I get an invalid [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >>> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. OK, Mart...I got the bootdisk, did the things you said in first reply and now have a list scroll list with with 15 files listed...At the bottom of that I have C:\> looking for a prompt...What do I need to type in there ? Thank you.. >Joe wrote:- >> ..I do not have a floppy WinMe startup... [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] >>>> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. That's good, so far! - At least DOS is recognising the C: drive. The next step (if you follow it carefully) shouldn't put any data at risk - i.e won't "write" to your HDD - and will let you check the drive for errors. Boot using your WinMe Startup (floppy) Disk and at the A:\> prompt, type: scandisk c: (Note the syntax - space between k and c followed by a colon) Then press return. Warning! If it shows errors, do NOT let it 'fix' them or do a Surface Test until you have backed up your data - you may need professional assistance if you're not sure how to copy or recover your data files. However, if you are prepared to lose data, then let it repair errors and do the surface scan. Come back with your results. Good luck Mart > OK, Mart...I got the bootdisk, did the things you said in first reply > and now have a list scroll list with with 15 files listed...At the [quoted text clipped - 81 lines] >>>>> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. I typed in SCANDISK and was told the disk was okay. No errors found.. Joe >Joe wrote:- >> ..I do not have a floppy WinMe startup... [quoted text clipped - 70 lines] >>>> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Ah! - you've just beaten me to it <g> OK, this time at the A:\> prompt, type "sys c:" (no quotes), pull the Startup Disk and reboot normally. See if that brings it back to life. Mart >I typed in SCANDISK and was told the disk was okay. No errors found.. > [quoted text clipped - 80 lines] >>>>> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. OK...When I typed in sys c, took out the floppy and then pressed Enter, it told me Required parameter missing...that's with no disk in the floppy or CD-ROM...What do you thnk ? Joe >Ah! - you've just beaten me to it <g> > [quoted text clipped - 87 lines] >>>>>> which restarts the reboot, then it stops with the same message again. >>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Sorry, that should have read > OK, this time at the A:\> prompt, type "sys c:" (no quotes), Press Return, > Then pull the Startup Disk and reboot normally. See if that brings it back > to life. However : > scroll list with 15 files listed sounds a bit worrying. But let's see Mart > OK...When I typed in sys c, took out the floppy and then pressed > Enter, it told me Required parameter missing...that's with no disk in [quoted text clipped - 104 lines] >>>>>>> again. >>>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Let's see if I have this right...from the C:\> prompt I am to enter A:\> then enter sys c: then press return, pull startup disk... When I do this I get the message "Invalid function" and the A prompt comes back up looking for a prompt...Would you like a list of the fifteen items in the "dir" list ? Joe >Sorry, that should have read >> OK, this time at the A:\> prompt, type "sys c:" (no quotes), Press Return, [quoted text clipped - 117 lines] >>>>>>>> again. >>>>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Sorry for the hold-up - slight domestic issue at this end <g> I'll recap:- Reboot (Power-up or Ctrl+Alt+Del) with the Startup (floppy) Disk inserted in the A: drive and select minimal boot. At the A:\> prompt, type "sys c:" (no quotes), pull the Startup Disk and reboot again (Ctrl+Alt+Del will do) > ...Would you like a list of > the fifteen items in the "dir" list ? Yes please, it might be helpful. BTW - if you can't 'capture' all the files/folders due to scrolling, use the /p switch following the dir command (dir /p) to scroll a page at a time. But I'm beginning to suspect that you may have lost some files/folders - 15 doesn't sound quite enough. How much of your drive is being used (Full capacity - free bytes)? Mart > Let's see if I have this right...from the C:\> prompt I am to enter > A:\> then enter sys c: then press return, pull startup disk... [quoted text clipped - 137 lines] >>>>>>>>> again. >>>>>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Mart, 15 files & folders isn't particularly unusual since using DIR without switches won't show hidden files and folders. I've just checked a Win Me system here and see 11 files and folders with another 13 hidden when using DIR C: > Sorry for the hold-up - slight domestic issue at this end <g> Hope all is OK.  SignatureMike > I'll recap:- > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > files/folders - 15 doesn't sound quite enough. > How much of your drive is being used (Full capacity - free bytes)? Yes, Mike - I just looked again and some files are redundant on my WinMe box, so perhaps 15 isn't too far from the mark. Just hope that sys c: will fix it. If not, I'm reluctant to suggest a re-install (over-install) to all the attendant issues particularly as Joe cant (easily) tidy up the IE side of the house. But just wonder whether a scanreg /restore in DOS *might* bring things back. Depends what's missing I suppose <g> But I note that Joe has an OEM restore CD BTW - No, not a major domestic - just required to do some multitasking and Joe had to go to the back of the queue <g> Mart > BTW - No, not a major domestic - just required to do some > multitasking and Joe had to go to the back of the queue <g> I'm pleased to read that Mart. I'll now get back to watching the repeat of Jericho. :-) SignatureMike > Yes, Mike - I just looked again and some files are redundant on my > WinMe box, so perhaps 15 isn't too far from the mark. Just hope that [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > BTW - No, not a major domestic - just required to do some > multitasking and Joe had to go to the back of the queue <g> Ooops - Done it again!!! Should read:- at the A:\> prompt, type "sys c:" (no quotes), Press Return, Then pull the Startup Disk and reboot Mart Still getting "Invalid function"...tried to reformat HD using the CD that came with the computer from Dell and couldn't even do that... When I exited the formatting I got D:\WIN9X> Any idea what to do with that ? Joe >Ooops - Done it again!!! > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Mart Ah! - the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to be revealed!! Again, from your original post (see also my last post tagged onto Mike's at 23.53 BST) you said:- > Today when I rebooted I got the message .... So what was the last thing you did to your computer "yesterday"? It sounds as though you've been playing with things which you shouldn't have. From the potential mess that you appear to in (as far as I can see with these binoculars) I think you should re-read the Dell Handbook and completely go through the Fresh Installation Procedure, including Partitioning and Formatting your Hard Disk. A 'Repair' option will not be sufficient. Mart > Still getting "Invalid function"...tried to reformat HD using the CD > that came with the computer from Dell and couldn't even do that... [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >> >>Mart No problem...know how that is... I'm still getting "Invalid function" when I enter sys c: from the A:\> prompt...here's the "dir" list ATTRIB EXE CHKDSK EXE COMMAND COM DEBUG EXE EDIT COM EXT EXE EXTRACT EXE FORMAT EXE HELP BAT MSCDEX EXE README TXT RESTART COM SCANDISK EXE SCANDISK INI SYS COM >Sorry for the hold-up - slight domestic issue at this end <g> > [quoted text clipped - 160 lines] >>>>>>>>>> again. >>>>>>>>>> Anyone have any suggestions ? I hate to have to re-format the HD. Joe, That's a DIR listing of your floppy (A:). How many entries do you see if you enter DIR C: at the A:\> prompt. When typing SYS C: at the A:> prompt are you typing a colon after the C? SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > No problem...know how that is... > I'm still getting "Invalid function" when I enter sys c: [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > SCANDISK INI > SYS COM Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Joe >Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > >When typing SYS C: at the A:> prompt are you typing a colon after the C? Joe, Ah! I've just realised that DIR C: is listing the content of the RAM drive set up when you booted from the Win Me floppy. This confirms that your hard drive is currently not being recognised and explains the error you are seeing when using SYS C: as the RAM drive is normally assigned the first letter after all of the partitions on the hard disk have been enumerated and since it appears to have been allocated C this means that no partitions on the hard disk are visible in DOS. I have to go so hopefully Mart can take it from here. Best of luck, SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Thanks for holding the fort Mike - and well spotted, noticing that Joe's listing was for the RAMDRIVE. Hope Jericho was worth watching - I've not had time to watch it myself, but keep thinking that I ought to record it. Don't know why as I don't even have time to watch my video <g> Anyway Joe, multitasking is back with you for the moment <g> As Mike has pointed out, your C: drive partition is not being recognised in DOS, so next step is to see if it is being recognised by your BIOS. On hindsight, I now come back to your very first post where you stated:- > I hate to have to re-format the HD. and have to ask why you thought of that? Is there a piece of the jigsaw which you haven't mentioned?? Have you been 'under the bonnet' and knocked the IDE cable off, or is there something else which makes you suspect that the disk should need formatting. Boot into your BIOS and confirm that the C: drive can be seen by your CMOS. Mart > Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Thanks for all your help, Mart...you too, Mike... I think I've told you everything...I haven't been "under the hood" and changed or knocked anything loose...All I did was start the Norton Systems Works Optimization Wizard to defrag my system and while it was running lost electric power at my house for a couple of minutes...when the electricity came back on the computer started back up rebooting and stopped before it completed the boot, saying it could not load the operating sys, setup could not continue...that's where it all started...So what do I need to do to see if BIOS recognizes whatever it is that will let me reboot ? Did you see my msg about trying to format and it wouldn't let me do that, then when I exitted that I came up with D:\WIN9X> That's with the "Reload Windows ME" CD that came with the computer from Dell in the CD-ROM...So, I'm ready to do the BIOS thing....how do I get there ? Thanks again... Joe >Thanks for holding the fort Mike - and well spotted, noticing that Joe's >listing was for the RAMDRIVE. [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] >> >>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... OK Joe, I have to admit that I'd forgotten about the power failure, however, my reply to your post:- > Did you see my msg about trying to format and it wouldn't let me > do that, then when I exitted that I came up with D:\WIN9X> etc., does outline your next move, i.e. > ... I think you should re-read the Dell Handbook and > completely go through the Fresh Installation Procedure, including > Partitioning and Formatting your Hard Disk. If you are still stuck, come back and I (or someone) will try to explain how you can partition and format your disk in DOS using the WinMe Startup Floppy. But you really should try the Dell Handbook first. BTW - It's bedtime here, so If necessary, I'll continue in the morning. Best of luck - I'm sure that you'll get there. Mart > Thanks for all your help, Mart...you too, Mike... > I think I've told you everything...I haven't been "under the hood" [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] >>> >>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... OK...Thanks for all ur help...Goodnight ! >OK Joe, I have to admit that I'd forgotten about the power failure, however, >my reply to your post:- [quoted text clipped - 82 lines] >>>> >>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Hi Joe, hopefully, you've made progress with the Dell Handbook and are - by now - up and running again <vbg> However, if you are still struggling with the partitioning/formatting of your HDD, take a look at:- "How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool to Partition or Repartition a Hard Disk" http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255867 Sorry it's such a long article, but it covers every eventuality. Good Luck Mart > OK...Thanks for all ur help...Goodnight ! > [quoted text clipped - 89 lines] >>>>> >>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Good morning, Mart, but I guess it must be afternoon where you're at.. I've read the Dell User Handbook and tried all that it got into, not a whole lot of info for ordinary users, and I'm still where I was yesterday....What does this Fdisk tool do ? To my knowledge my hard drive has never been partitioned...It's capacity is 20GB and had approximately 14GB available last time I looked....It sounds like Fdisk just separates what is currently on the HD and sets up another section of the HD to reinstall Windows ME...Is that correct ? Joe >Hi Joe, hopefully, you've made progress with the Dell Handbook and are - by >now - up and running again <vbg> [quoted text clipped - 105 lines] >>>>>> >>>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Oh yeah, one more thing...I talked to a support at Dell, who happened to be a hardware tech, but he told me he thought I had a "Monkey" virus...I have no internet conncection to that computer and I told him that and he said it could be from corrupt CDs or floppies...do you agree with that ? Joe >Good morning, Mart, but I guess it must be afternoon where you're at.. >I've read the Dell User Handbook and tried all that it got into, not a [quoted text clipped - 116 lines] >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Mmmm... possible, I suppose Joe - but unlikely. However, as the problem arose following a power fail whilst Norton's defrag was running, then anything is possible and my guess is a corrupted HDD <g> Which, under the present circumstances, is unreadable and hence data cannot be recovered (except professionally) But, back to Fdisk. Be careful with this tool - it is VERY powerful - but DON'T let that put you off. I would suggest that you print-out the KB article and sit and study it for a while. Whilst everything is straightforward, you need to pick the relevant sections and try to understand them (down to you, I'm afraid). There's no better way to learn than by jumping in at the deep end. If you then run Fdisk - and again, be careful!! - you must also read the on-screen instructions (which although minimal, are sufficient) where you will find that you've always got an escape route - in other words, you will only cause a positive action with a positive response. The Esc key gets you out of jail <g> and Ctrl+Alt+Del is a great friend too <bg> You will also be able to confirm that the (real) C: drive is actually seen with Fdisk (whereas it wasn't seen in DOS). This will negate the need to look for it in your BIOS which I mentioned earlier. N.B. If it can't be seen in Fdisk, then that would point to a different type of fault and we'll worry about that later - if necessary. Just take your time and work thru' the KB article and the Fdisk screen instructions. In fact, once you've 'played' with Fdisk, so long as you haven't then installed your operating system, there's no reason why you can't play with it a bit more and learn what it's all about for yourself. When you're happy with your partition size (or sizes if you decide to make extra partitions) and then formatted it (them) using the Format command (explained in the KB article) you can then install WinMe. Someone here will bale in if you get stuck. -- Good luck Mart > Oh yeah, one more thing...I talked to a support at Dell, who happened > to be a hardware tech, but he told me he thought I had a "Monkey" [quoted text clipped - 134 lines] >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... OK, Mart...printing out the KB article...don't understand a lot of it, but will study it and try a few things...by the way, I did manage a SCANDISK of the C:(HD) using the bootdisk like you suggested.It told me that there were no problems in the four categories that it looked at, even the surface scan, so doesn't that mean that the physical drive is okay and it's a software problem ? Joe >Mmmm... possible, I suppose Joe - but unlikely. However, as the problem >arose following a power fail whilst Norton's defrag was running, then [quoted text clipped - 175 lines] >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... I *think* that was the RAMDRIVE and not the 'real' C: drive, I *thought* that we had established that you couldn't see the 'real' C: drive in DOS (using the Startup disk. You may wish to confirm that point before you proceed. Mart > OK, Mart...printing out the KB article...don't understand a lot of it, > but will study it and try a few things...by the way, I did manage a [quoted text clipped - 197 lines] >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... I went back to the bootdisk.com site and got another download. This one recognized the HD(C:). I ran SCANDISK and it said there were no problems on that drive...the first disk I got must have been corrupted or incomplete.... Joe >I *think* that was the RAMDRIVE and not the 'real' C: drive, I *thought* >that we had established that you couldn't see the 'real' C: drive in DOS [quoted text clipped - 205 lines] >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Hey Mike...No, that's the dir list I get from the C:\> prompt... Joe, What makes you think the first disk was "bad"? Nothing you have posted so far suggests that it was anything but "normal". How do you know that you are now seeing your hard drive and that you aren't, as before, running scandisk on the RAMdrive created when you boot from the floppy? When you boot to an A:\> prompt and type DIR C: what files do you see listed? For example do you see, amongst others, the following listed: AUTOEXEC BAT CONFIG SYS MYDOCU~1 <DIR> PROGRA~1 <DIR> If yes, now type the following at the A:\> prompt DIR C: /AH You should now see, amongst others, the following listed: _RESTORE <DIR> RECYCLED <DIR> WINDOWS <DIR> COMMAND COM CLASSES 1ST MSDOS --- SETUPLOG TXT MSDOS SYS SYSTEM 1ST IO SYS If not then, unfortunately, the C: drive you are seeing is not your hard drive. SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > I went back to the bootdisk.com site and got another download. > This one recognized the HD(C:). I ran SCANDISK and it said there were > no problems on that drive...the first disk I got must have been > corrupted or incomplete.... Hey Mike...you're absolutely right...I'm not seeing any of those files....when I ran C:SCANDISK it said no problems found on Drive C, but I guess It's still recognizing Drive C. Did you happen to read how all this began ? After reading several articles, I'm starting to believe that Norton System Works is the culprit...what do you think? Joe >Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] >If not then, unfortunately, the C: drive you are seeing is not your hard >drive. More important Joe is whether you have read the replies that have been posted to your messages by both Mart and myself. Until such time as your system can see your hard disk you are dead in the water and wasting your and our time. :-) Mart asked you to check whether your bios reported the presence of a hard disk when you boot. I have not yet seen a reply from you to that question. What you are seeing when you DIR C: is the contents of the RAMdisk, that is a portion of the RAM on your PC temporarily being used to store files as if it were a disk, that is created when you boot from a Win Me boot floppy. When you run SCANDISK you are checking the RAMdrive not your hard drive. If your hard disk was being recognised your RAMdisk would be D: with your hard disk as C: but since the hard drive isn't being recognised the RAMdisk is assigned the letter C. How the problem arose is somewhat immaterial at this time. What is more important is to try and find out why your hard disk is not being recognised. The problem could quite reasonably be due to hardware failure brought about by the power failure you mentioned. SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > Hey Mike...you're absolutely right...I'm not seeing any of those > files....when I ran C:SCANDISK it said no problems found on Drive C, > but I guess It's still recognizing Drive C. Did you happen to read how > all this began ? After reading several articles, I'm starting to > believe that Norton System Works is the culprit...what do you think? P.S. on the first bootdisk I could not even access C: on the second disk I could...what do you think ? Joe >Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] >If not then, unfortunately, the C: drive you are seeing is not your hard >drive. > P.S. on the first bootdisk I could not even access C: > on the second disk I could...what do you think ? That you should first re-read the answers that you have already been given such as C being a RAMdrive created using part of the RAM in your system when you boot from a Win Me boot floppy. Secondly that this might well be the time to ask for help locally from someone who can actually physically work with the PC such as a technically minded friend or perhaps a local PS shop. Regards, SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com OK...thanks Mike...guess that's what I'll have to do. I appreciate all the time and help you and Mart have contributed....I really consider myself "computer illiterate". I have a daughter that works in IT for a local city...I'm going to see if she can find someone to help... Thanks again, guys... Adieu, Joe >> P.S. on the first bootdisk I could not even access C: >> on the second disk I could...what do you think ? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >Regards, Joe, My apologies for my last post which was more than a little harsh. Today hasn't been a particularly good one for me here. :-( Nevertheless I feel it probably has reached the point where you need some hands on help as it does appear that the disk could be dead in the water. I don't think the problem is due to a virus since all was well until you suffered a power failure. What would be nice to know though is whether the system bios is seeing your hard disk or not when you boot your system. When you switch on your system, no need for any floppy, you should first see some white text on the black screen. One of the first things you should see is a report as to the amount of memory installed after which the system runs POST (Power On Self Test) which usually lists hardware detected such as your hard disk and any optical drives (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM etc). Do you see your hard disk mentioned? If not this needs to be fixed. The problem could be a faulty controller on the motherboard due to the power failure, a faulty hard disk or something as trivial as the cable joining the disk to the controller on the motherboard having become detached at one end. Best of luck, SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > OK...thanks Mike...guess that's what I'll have to do. > I appreciate all the time and help you and Mart have [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Thanks again, guys... > Adieu, Joe, I would concur with Mike's last couple of posts (thanks again Mike for jumping in - I was back in multitask mode again <g>) However, just to amplify Mike's point regarding your scandisk on your "apparent" C: drive:- When you booted with the Startup disk and selected any option *other than* 4) Minimal, (N.B Minimal won't let you run several of the required tools) you should have seen a statement scrolling down the screen to the affect of:- Microsoft RAMDrive version 3.06 virtual disk C: Disk size: 2,048k Sector size: 512 bytes Allocation units: 2 sectors Directory entries: 64 As Mike alluded, this is a "virtual" disk (2Mb worth of RAM) used to act as workspace enabling certain DOS 'tools' to be used, without the need of a HDD. Your 'real' C: drive probably being several Gb or more. The fact that it has allocated C: as the drive letter, proves that your motherboard etc., - for whatever reason - is not 'seeing' your physical HDD. Had it recognised the physical drive, then the RAMDrive would have been allocated a different letter (probably D:) I would agree with Mike that it may be an appropriate time to ask for local technical assistance, but again if you're stuck I'm sure that we would be able to talk you thru' the next steps. Re-read the KB article, especially regarding what Fdisk does, and how it works. Also, take a look at the following useful article :- "Order in Which MS-DOS and Windows Assign Drive Letters" http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;51978 for some further understanding. Mart > OK...thanks Mike...guess that's what I'll have to do. > I appreciate all the time and help you and Mart have [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >> >>Regards, Good morning guys...I know you're tired of messing with me...I would be too...thought you might like to know what I'm getting on the first thing that comes up after I enter CTRL+ALT+DEL COPYRIGHT 1996-200 INTEL CORPORATION CA81020.0A.0026.P09.01090843 DELL DIMENSION L800r BIOS VERSION A08 INTEL(R) PENTIUM(R) III PROCESSOR, 800MHz 128 MB SYSTEM RAM KEYBOARD DETECTED LEGACY MOUSE DETECTED USB LEGACY ENABLED FIXED DISK 0: WDC WD200BB-75AUA1 ATAPI CD-ROM SONY CD-RW CRX140E PRESS <DEL> TO RESUME Joe p.s. isn't the HD identifier the one called "Fixed Disk" ? In BIOS it's set on "Auto"...My daughter showed me how to access BIOS. >Joe, I would concur with Mike's last couple of posts (thanks again Mike for >jumping in - I was back in multitask mode again <g>) [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] >>> >>>Regards, Joe, Whilst I'm not familiar with a POST screen that looks anything like what you report it does seem as if your hard disk is being detected by the bios. Since booting to DOS doesn't detect the disk may I ask you to try the following. Boot to DOS (the A:\> prompt) using a Win Me boot floppy. At the A:\> prompt type FDISK When asked Do you wish to enable large disk support (Y/N)...........? [Y] Reply Y and click enter Your should now be presented with a menu looking like: Current fixed disk drive: 1 Choose one of the following: 1. Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive 2. Set active partition 3. Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive 4. Display partition information Enter choice: [1] Rather than 1, enter 4 in the "Enter choice" box and click return. You should now see a screen similar to the following: Display Partition Information Current fixed disk drive: 1 Partition Status Type Volume Label Mbytes System Usage C: 1 A PRI DOS WIN ME 4001 FAT32 24% Total disk space is 16379 Mbytes (1 Mbyte = 1048576 bytes) Please make a note of the partition details and post back. Use Esc Esc to exit Fdisk. SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > Good morning guys...I know you're tired of messing with me...I would > be too...thought you might like to know what I'm getting on the first [quoted text clipped - 85 lines] >>>> >>>> Regards, OK Mike...here's what I got: Partition Status Type Volume Label MBytes System Usage C:1 A Pri DOS 19093 UNK 100% I think that 100% under usage is the culprit, huh ? Joe >Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] >Please make a note of the partition details and post back. Use Esc Esc to >exit Fdisk. Joe, No, the 100% usage is what I would expect you to see. That is a single drive with just one partition using all of the available space. The problem is the UNK (Unknown) for the File System when it should be FAT32. Win Me and DOS (which you are running when you boot from your Win Me boot floppy) can only access the drive if the filing system is either FAT (FAT16) or FAT32. We are now rapidly approaching the point at which you either seek local technical help who might be able to recover the files on your hard drive or alternatively bite the bullet and using FDISK delete the partition and create a new FAT32 partition and reinstall Win Me. Whilst I would be happy to help a user with the first of those options I am unwilling to do so via the newsgroups as the risk of error is I feel too great. If, however you want to take the second route and write off any files that might be on your hard disk I or Mart can help you with that option. Sorry, SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > OK Mike...here's what I got: Partition Status Type Volume Label MBytes System Usage C:1 A Pri DOS 19093 UNK 100% > I think that 100% under usage is the culprit, huh ? So, WinME doesn't use NTFS as does WinXP ? That's what I have on this computer that I'm using now. WinXP SP2.. Also is there anyway to uninstall Norton System Works in the Safe Mode ? I think that could be the root of my problems...After I installed that program everything started running slower and hanging up. Since I didn't have that machine hooked up for Internet, I uninstalled the antivirus portion and when I was running the Optimization (defrag) program the power went off and all this started...I read some stuff online that WinME and Norton programs don't work well together....What do you think ? Thanks Joe >Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >Sorry, Joe, NTFS is the filing system used by NT based operating systems such as NT3.5, NT4, Win2K and XP. Whilst NT based systems can read FAT filing systems the reverse is not true of Win9x systems which can only read and write to FAT systems. > Also is there anyway to uninstall Norton System Works in the Safe > Mode ? Add/Remove Programs works in Safe Mode but since you are unable to boot your system that is somewhat academic. No Symantec application works well when installed on Win Me and not very well on any other operating system either. Whilst Symantec products can cause major problems when run on Win Me rarely if ever do they destroy the actual filing system as appears here. The problem being almost certainly due to the power failure during the defrag. It may well be possible to rebuild the partition table and FAT (File Allocation Table) but this would probably require the use of expensive specialised tools - for example I have used R-Studio (http://www.data-recovery-software.net/) in similar circumstances and the cheapest of their versions is US$80. Ah, I see they have a FAT only tool for US$50. SignatureMike Maltby mike.maltby@gmail.com > So, WinME doesn't use NTFS as does WinXP ? > That's what I have on this computer that I'm using now. WinXP SP2.. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > online that WinME and Norton programs don't work well > together....What do you think ? Mike, many thanks again for jumping in - it is appreciated. Been rushed off my feet - that time of year <g> Joe, I think that Mike has pretty much summed-up your situation - only try to recover your data professionally (if you really think it worthwhile - it can be quite expensive) - and start afresh with Fdisk and only then, reinstall WinMe. You really need to spend a little more time reading those KB articles (and any referenced out from those articles). In a perverse way, you are in a fortunate position I suppose, as you have now got the opportunity to 'play' till your heart's content, without really damaging anything (well, data at least <g>) whilst learning more about the hardware/software setting-up of your machine. You can install, WinMe, re-format and re-install over again whilst teaching yourself more. Even have a go 'under the hood' - it won't bite! - and that's how most others here learnt. Time will soon be when you won't need to '.... really consider myself "computer illiterate".' However, I'll leave you with this thought:- Tip - DON'T RE-INSTALL NSW !!! <g> If it was SO important, MS would have included it as part of WinMe. Mart > Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] >> online that WinME and Norton programs don't work well >> together....What do you think ? Hey Mart...Many thanks to you and Mike...you've taught me a lot. It looks like I'm going to have to go the "FDISK" route...I had a few photos that I would like to have saved, but other stuff were games and such for Grandkids...I have NSW 2005 & Firewall on this computer that I've been using talking you guys, but this machine is far, far better than the other, alot more space, RAM w/Pentium IV. It worked so well on this one is why I decided to try it on the other one...On the box, it said it would work on WinME...I found out that during that Optimization feature it also does a surface scan, so it was probably doing that when the power went off...You think so ? The program had been running for 30-35 minutes when the power went off...Anyway, like you said, it's been and will be educational...I'm retired and have plenty of time to "Monkey" around with it....Again, Thanks a whole bunch to both of you... Sincerely, "Joe" p.s. I have a backup disc for most of the programs that I downloaded or a CD for the ones I purchased, so it won't be too bad... >Mike, many thanks again for jumping in - it is appreciated. Been rushed off >my feet - that time of year <g> [quoted text clipped - 57 lines] >>> online that WinME and Norton programs don't work well >>> together....What do you think ? |
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