DOS doesn't work

[BustaRomeo]

MS-DOS is not working on my computer. I'm using Windows 98. I have the CD if need be. Everytime I try and start MS-DOS it gives me an error message saying something along the lines of 'the device attached to the system is not functioning' when trying to start the Prompt, as well as 'access to the specified device is denied' when I try to restart in DOS.

What I found to be unusual was that when I tried starting MS-DOS prompt it would first say "the device attached ....", and after I had closed that error message, it would say "the object that 'C:\Windows\Desktop\MS-DOS Prompt.pif' refers to has been removed or is unaccessible". This file, on the DESKTOP? Sounds bizarre.

Any help is appreciated.

[andyms18a]

do a full anti virus scan then try start run cmd and see if a dos box appers

[BustaRomeo]

I did a virus scan, but nothing showed up. 'cmd' doesn't exist, do you mean 'command'? Well, I tried both, but nothing is happening.

[andyms18a]

have you used msconfig to disabble autoexe.bat or any thing latley

[GaryRouth]

Hi all

Take a look at this thread & see if it helps. It's possible a file is corrupted or missing. http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000362.htm

Might run a thorough ScanDisk and Defrag from Safe Mode, too, to see if you are starting to get bad clusters on the hard drive (which could corrupt a file) [another alternative is to run the diagnostics from your hard drives manufacturer's website]. Did you add any system memory lately? If you did, you might want to test that, too http://www.simmtester.com

Post again if that repair doesn't work, or if you have questions
. . . Gary

[BustaRomeo]

I've been disableling quite a few things in msconfig, but nothing of importance (savenow, loadqm, etc). Gary, could you translate the first sentences of your reply? Nothing made sense. Did add system memory, but DOS wasn't working before then as well.

[BustaRomeo]

I went to the first website you mentioned Gary, and I've been there before. I extracted the Winoa386.mod file from the CD to the System file, but guess what, in order for me to get it working I have to get into DOS (which is still not working).

[andyms18a]

try seting msconfig to normall in stead of diagnostic start up reboot and test dos from within windows
all so for garys segestion boot with a win 98 floppy to acces dos

[GaryRouth]

Sounds like you don't have a bootable floppy around. You can make one (Start/Settings/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs/Startup Disk) or you can download one from http://www.bootdisk.com If you download one, make sure it matches your version of Windows.

The file you want to extract has the same name, but with the .new extension (ending). [Winoa386.new] You then boot to DOS with a diskette, and rename your current Winoa386.mod file, which will allow you to name the newer version you've extracted (as ".new") to Winoa386.mod

As the ComputerHope thread shows, the changes take place upon reboot.
___________
I'd still test your memory and hard drive, since the reason for the file corruption/deletion/move isn't known. There are plenty of reasons that can cause this, from bad Cds, bad Cd-drives, bad memory, bad hard drives, viruses, chipset timing problems, overclocking, bad power supplies - etc. If you've done a lot of work recently on that machine, perhaps with a reinstall, if it has a Via KT133 or KT133a chipset (especially in a system with a SoundBlaster Live! card) - make sure to download and install a recent set of Via 4-in-1 drivers, and perhaps flash the motherboard's bios to a recent version. (don't flash the bios unless you're comfortable doing so - it can render the board useless if done wrong). Data corruption isn't the easiest thing to track down.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[p.s. ... oh, and to re-state the earlier suggestions: as part of looking to check the health of the hard drive, try starting up your computer in "Safe Mode". To do this, tap the F8 key as the system is starting up. Once in Safe Mode, go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/ScanDisk and start a scan of your hard drive. Place a checkmark in the box next to "thorough". This will take a good long while. Then go into System Tools again, and run the Disk Defragmenter. Post any errors you receive here & we'll see what's up. --> The hard drive diagnostic programs from the manufacturer's website's are free downloads. Usually the downloaded file creates a bootable floppy from which the diagnostics run. Western Digital's diagnostics are called DataLifeGuard, Seagate's are SeaTools, Maxtor's are PowerMax, etc. . . ]

[mike breck]

First, I would try running System File Checker to replace any missing or corrupted files.

Start>Run and type SFC and press Enter.

If that doesn't help then have a look at these MS articles

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=232657

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=195176

Ofcourse, the easiest way to fix this problem may be to install Windows from the CD over the top of itself or try a fresh install of Windows.

Thankfully our good friend Gary has provided a excellent guide to doing just that:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...ht=windows.000

HTH

[BustaRomeo]

OK, I finally got it working. Thanks a lot guys! I made a boot disk and then did everything I needed to to get the winoa386 files in order. Is it still worth running scandisk and defrag in safe mode?

[GaryRouth]

Hi again

Glad you got it working. Yes, I'd still scan and defrag in Safe Mode, or perhaps run a diagnostic on the drive & memory, just to make sure there's not a hardware disaster about to happen.

It may just have been a few files corrupted by a power surge, we've had a lot of those lately.
. . . Gary