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02-12-2006, 11:05 AM
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#1 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
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On start up i get an error meassage, "operating system not found"
I wanted to play around on my windows 98, HP Pavilian, and I went to start it up and it said that the operating system couldn't be found. I checked all connections on everything(on the inside) and made sure all cards where in place but that didn't do anything. This computer has been used frequently up until 2-3 years ago and then it was mostly forgotten. I don't want to put any money into it, so is there an easy/cheap fix or should I dump it(get rid of it)?
I'm just thinking a wire/connection came undone and need to be reconected, or could it be the battery(about as thick as 3 or 4 pennies)? Last edited by Swanton123; 02-12-2006 at 12:28 PM. Reason: spelling errors |
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02-12-2006, 12:17 PM
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#2 |
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02-12-2006, 12:33 PM
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#3 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
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so my cpu is fried? I made some progress from last time, a screen from "safe mode?" came up and asked me if I wanted to use the default settings but that didn't help any. I'm not great with computers so sorry.
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02-12-2006, 12:42 PM
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#4 |
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No, I didn't say that. The link is to a thread with out of the case troubleshooting procedures to find out what's fried.
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02-12-2006, 01:02 PM
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#5 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
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on the power supply box, there is a fan, when I turn the computer on that fan does not move. I'm looking into that now.
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02-12-2006, 01:11 PM
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#6 |
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One of 2 things - the power supply is dead or something else inside the computer is defective or shorted, preventing the power supply from turning on.
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02-12-2006, 02:58 PM
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#7 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Sorry it took so long to reply but a wire must have been disconnected, because the fan works now. Still trying to get the O.S. to be able to be found, ready to give up because of my non computer tech brain.
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02-12-2006, 04:33 PM
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#8 |
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You probably only need to use the HP restore kit to reload the operating system and software.
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02-12-2006, 04:40 PM
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#9 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
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I'll see if I can find it/if we still have it.
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02-12-2006, 07:59 PM
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#10 |
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Member (4 bit)
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so I found the disk, found out the wires weren't conected to my hard drive correctly. Then I found a post that said what to do with the start-up disk. It will not let me create a DOS partition because it says I do not have enough space(I should because I remember the last time the computer worked I had about two-thirds free), It won't let me format because I don't have any DOS partitions. I would use a floppy, but I only have one disk out of three. So is this a project that should just be abandoned, or should I continue?
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02-12-2006, 09:55 PM
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#11 |
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You should not need the floppies if the restore CD is bootable.
If it's saying you have no DOS partitions, the hard drive may be defective - bad sectors or something. Is there any data on the drive that you need to recover? You have nothing to lose by continuing - it won't cost you anything but time and it will give you some troubleshooting experience. |
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02-12-2006, 10:48 PM
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#12 |
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Member (4 bit)
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Well I quit with this project, thanks for your help glc. the only parts I think are worth keeping from the old computer is the little 3v battery and the graphics card. I not really sure about the graphics card though since it isn't compatable with my XP and is only 32MB and the ram cards wouldn't do anything since both of them combined is 48 MB. thanks again.
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02-13-2006, 10:19 AM
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#13 |
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If it was out of use for a long time, it could be that the battery is dead. That might mean that the CMOS had lost its memory of the HD config. Not sure haw to go into the BIOS on your HP but if you can just look at the date and if its significantly off that may be the problem.
Many times "delete" key will get yo into BIOS check your manual. If its the battery, they are cheap and easy to replace. Dont give up yet, I have pulled a 386SX from the dead. Why, I dont know. Because I could I guess.
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02-19-2006, 08:00 AM
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#14 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Cullman AL.
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I had an HP (sorroful venture) and to get my poor miserable POS working again with that restore stuff, I had to Re-initialize the disk each time.
That always worked and it left the PC up and working everytime. From what you describe, it sounds like you have some self inflicted wounds left over from monkeying around inside the cabinet. Put it all back together, correctly, and run that restore disk. Put the Disk in the drive while the PC is OFF, then turn it on and follow the lead through. Choos the option that will Initialize the Disk and reload. |
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02-19-2006, 06:26 PM
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#15 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Harlingen, Texas
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may be way to late but the first thing i do with win98 when operating system not found is
sys c: |
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