fdisc, format messup, lost DOS prompt.

[Parangles]

I think it was because I forgot to add the /s to the 'format' command that put me in this mess. I was trying to clean up my old PC to sell it. I was re loading Win 98 but it only partly loaded.
On boot up, error message sez : ' error loading explorer.exe- shut down' and the screen freezes. Bootup with the start up floppy gets: 'invalid system disc- replace' . I have changed the boot order to floppy first but still get the same message.
I think if could get into DOS I could start from scratch. But I can't get a prompt. Or have I lost essential files ?
The drive was originally making groaning sounds on boot up,
which was partly why I built a new machine.
Dump this drive and buy one ?

[reboot]

Make a new startup floppy, write protect it.
Re-fdisk the drive, don't format.
Boot to CD, run the setup.

Forgetting to add /s to the format command should make absolutely no difference. Something else is wrong.

[pillainp]

if you have your boot floppy, boot from it an dthen just type the following at the A:\> prompt:

SYS C:

This is assuming that you have really formatted the HDD.

This will get you back your DOS prompt.

[pillainp]

Oops, sorry.

Jumped the gun. Way over.

Really sorry.

NPP

[Parangles]

SORRY - original post says I was loading 98- NOT SO- I was loading 95 and had planned to add a 98 upgrade immediately afterwards.

Well, the problem is : A) I can't make a 95 system disc/bootable floppy cause I have formatted the drive that had the Win95 .
The other machines in the house have Win98 on them so I can't think how to make a 95 boot floppy. I think the problem is that I have a partly installed, aborted 95 installation , and a 98 boot floppy.
B) I can't get a DOS prompt on the screen. I only get error messages and screen freeze or shut down.
I have my original, paid for, CD's of both 95 and 98, with their genuine certificates and keys.
C) If I could just get to a DOS prompt I could re format and start again. I think in the meantime I will try changing the boot order to CD first and see if I can get anywhere booting with Win 95 CD.
Thanks,
Chris

[tireman]

I may be wrong but I do not think that the Win95 cd will be bootable. The win98 should be though. If your system supports it, you can boot from the win98 cd (if this is an upgrade cd, it will prompt you for the location of the win95 files, just insert the win95 cd and point it to that location, you should then be able to reinsert the win98 cd and just install 98 without installing 95 first.) HTH

[tireman]

Just to add, you can go here (http://www.drd.dyndns.org/index2.html) and download a Win95 bootdisk.

[Parangles]

Just back from the garage- You're right tireman- did not boot
from the CD, tried both. Its now giving me messages about
missing . VXD files, just before it freezes.
I'll try the 95 floppy off the web site.
Thanks,
Chris

[Parangles]

It won't boot with the 95 disc I just got off the site. Tried 95a and 95b. The heck with it. Just phoned a store down the road- used, formatted HDD $19.95. End of problem. Appreciate your help guys.
Chris.

[GaryRouth]

Might well be that your old drive was history already. Good luck with your new one.

If you want to see if the old one is worth saving as a spare, try the diagnostic utilities from it's manufacturer's website (SeaTools for Seagates, DataLifeGuard for WDs, PowerMax for Maxtors, etc)

That groaning sound might have been its "death rattle"
. . . Gary

[Parangles]

Back again ! Installed the new\used (replacement) HDD, installed the CD ROM driver , and now the CD drive is active. I can see contents of the Win 95 CD at " DIR D: ".
Autoexec.bat and config.sys are there. However ! , when I tried to install\setup the with the CD I got msg ' HIMEM.SYS missing.'
(Some memory file ??)
Found this file on another machine and copied it to C: but I still get the same message when I try to install windows with the CD. Can you explain s l o w l y how I can get this into the right place.
I feel I have to configure something.
Thanks,
Chris.

[Force Flow]

Assuming you have windows running, got to start > run and type "msconfig" and click on the config.sys tab. Look for a line that says "DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS" If it says "C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS", edit it so it points to the windows directory.

If you don't see that line at all, try coping the himem.sys file off your bootible floppy, and into the "C:\windows" directory. This can be done from either Windows or DOS.

Good luck! :)

[Parangles]

All is well - up and running - thanks to all !