Disk boot failure

[Sparks]

My wife started up her PC (win98se) and got the following message, "Disk boot failure insert system disk and press enter". We did this and said start with CD rom , no matter what we did we were met with messages like, no FAT or FAT32 partition and can not create a temporary directory when trying to reinstall windows. Is there an easy way round this, can I check the HD or could I reformat? if not it's a visit to the local PC doctor tomorrow. Thx,

[expertec]

Is the hard drive detected by the BIOS?

[Sparks]

Is the hard drive detected by the BIOS?

Yes it's listed on the initial startup screen above the failure message.

[r4may]

What happens if you try to Boot from a Boot Floppy

[Sparks]

What happens if you try to Boot from a Boot Floppy

I tried the startup disk (thats the same as a boot disk is it?) it takes me through to the HD disk type etc and then to the options of starting with cd rom or not, then as i stated in my first post. Ta.

[r4may]

I tried the startup disk (thats the same as a boot disk is it?)

No. A basic Boot floppy should boot the sytem into DOS and stop with the A:>prompt

You can then use Fdisk to look at the C:drive setup and change if you wish to.

you can also use dos to explore the HDD if it is usable, also reformat etc if you wish.

These DOS programs have to be on the floppy of course.

[madboy33]

whoaaahhhh horsies whoah

why we talking about fdisking?

Sparks do this

start the somputer and start tapping F8

You should get a screen that has safe mode etc etc. You need to start in ms-dos

once in dos type scanreg/fix

forgot to say, once the registry is fixed and you get a command prompt then type "exit" (without the quotes)

come back to us if you cant get to the F8 screen

[Sparks]

madboy33™ the O/S is win98se, I've been tapping Ctl which I think is right for 98.(also tried f8 on your suggestion). but can't get the startup screen, only boot disk failure.

I can get the win98 startup menu screen when I have the startup floppy in, but no matter what I select it goes to the "Start with with or without CDrom support" if I keep tapping while and before it gets to Start with CDrom it says bypassing startup files and then i am left at the a: Hope this makes sense.

[r4may]

If you are at the A:> prompt you can use Fdisk to LOOK at the HDD if it is Usable.

It is option 4 :- Display partion imformation

if Your HDD is readable it will show the Partitions (if any), Type and the format they are in and if any of them are 'Active'. (Status = 'A'

That gives you some information to start with.

If it is unreadable you MAY have to start from scratch and reinstall Win98 after dfisking and reformating your drive.

[Sparks]

When I'm at the A:> prompt and type Fdisk I get "no fixed disk available". It looks as if I'm getting into deep water here. :(

[r4may]

Looks as though the HDD may have had it, but it may be worth checked that none of the connections have worked loose. That means opening the box, switched off of course, and checking The Ribbon cable to the Hard Disk at both ends.

If you have a spare one, you could disconnect the fitted HDD and connect the spare temporarily.

Sometimes the Bios can recognise a disk even though it is unusable.

Have you any HDD utilities, available from the maufacturers site. If so these can be used to test out the drive and sometimes recover usablilty by a 'Low Level' reformat.

[Sparks]

I'll get the old screwdriver out in a couple of days and have a look inside. No I don't have a spare HDD or any utilities for same. Wifey has been wanting a new PC so this might be her chance, I'll not bother to get it repaired. Thanks everybody for your input.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

When I'm at the A:> prompt and type Fdisk I get "no fixed disk available".  It looks as if I'm getting into deep water here.  :(

1. Since you are able to boot with a startup disk, this is already good progress.
   
2. Can you try to type C: do see if there is a C:\ drive visible?
   If it shows C:\> can you try FDISK /STATUS
   

[Sparks]

When I'm at the A:> prompt and type Fdisk I get "no fixed disk available".  It looks as if I'm getting into deep water here.  :(

1. Since you are able to boot with a startup disk, this is already good progress.
   
   
   
   
2. Can you try to type C: do see if there is a C:\ drive visible?
   If it shows C:\> can you try FDISK /STATUS
   

After many attempts with the startup disk in and tapping ctl I can get to A: and then C:\>. FDISK/STATUS brings up "no fixed disks present". I have also checked inside for any loose cables. (IT'S GOOSED) :confused:

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

After many attempts with the startup disk in and tapping ctl I can get to A: and then C:\>. FDISK/STATUS brings up "no fixed disks present". I have also checked inside for any loose cables. (IT'S GOOSED) :confused:

Sorry, now I am confused.

After you get to the A:\> prompt

you type C:

do you get the C:\> prompt?

If so, can you type DIR or any other DOS commands that afftect the current partition?

I also do not understand "GOOSED"...?

[Sparks]

Hi pwillener,

Thanks for all your help but I took the PC and had it checked out and was told it was the HDD at fault, I've ordered my wife a new PC.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Congratulations to your wife for her new PC! And thanks for the PM, explaining "GOOSED" to me :D