command.com missing

[goombaz]

Hi-- I bought a computer at garage sale--p133($20) and when I turn it on it has missing command.com and won't go anywhere/do anything--just gives gives missing command.com message with every enter stroke. It must be booting c:, A: but I can't fix that cause it needs a password to enter the BIOS, UGH!!!

So anybody have any ideas for me? If I can get into bios and change booting order will I be able to reinstall win 95 and get it to operate?

How do I bypass the password for BIOS entrance? thanks http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif MJ

[Mntsnow]

Sounds like what you need to do first is to open up the case and move the jumper to CLEAR the cmos. this will allow you to gain access to the bios. (resets it completely to bios defaults). then you will need to do a format on the harddrive then reinstall windows. or you might beable to "copy" over a command.com file from your other computer. (I personally prefer to do the format and install so I have MY copy of windows and my setup prefs)

Good luck

Mntsnow

[goombaz]

if I reformat should I download cdrom drivers for existing cdrom/sound card so that I can reinstall os/software--I have read a bit about making cdrom a master secondary drive--but it still needs drivers doesn't it? I am a bit confused I guess. So much of what I read here is beyond my ability right now. Lots I get--most I don't http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif I have no disks or the like that came with computer--will reformatting and using disk that came with my p5-200 work? If this is way out of my leauge-is there another site I can go for more basic info? or are youfolks happy to take me thru the step-by steP? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif MJ

[BBA]

Hey, I think if you clear cmos and set it to boot from floppy first, maybe you can boot it up and put system files on the hard drive by having the sys.com file on the boot disk and typing " sys c: " from the "A:\ " prompt.

If you have to format the drive, chances are it might not be an ATAPI compliant ide- cdrom (if it is connected to a sound card,it's not compliant)in which case you may have to have the sound card and cd-rom dos drivers.

About the discharging cmos, it will reset all defaults. It should have the same effect as moving the jumper/switch if it has one of these. Some older boards did not.


Have fun!

BBA

[This message has been edited by BBA (edited 07-17-99).]

[This message has been edited by BBA (edited 07-17-99).]

[DHatAVI]

There is a virus called "Junkie boot" that causes the same error that you are finding. I would try running a boot disk that has virus detection on it, otherwise you may just transfer the virus right back to the bootable floppy that you use.

David

[goombaz]

I switched hard drives--just to see if I could get things up and running. It was an oldie--with WIN 3.1 on it ahhhhh!!!! I did do that--and got advice from tech area here to remove and reinstall battery to reset bios. Since I have not learned much about jumpers, yet, I opted for that route. Anyway--things seem to work well enough to get WIN95 up. I used my ancient soundblaster floppies to get cdrom going. What fun I am having.
Now I seem to be short of harddrive space. I have three computers--and only one with more than a gigbyte HD. What and where can I get a good deal on HDs- I guess I am hoping to get another computer with a bigger HD at a garage sale http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif--
As for making the other disk with missing command.com files a slave--I need to change the jumper. Once I do that can I make it a slave, format it and add programs that way? If I use autodetect--will the setup find it? also, what is the major difference between hooking cdrom up to mobo vs. sound card?--just the sound aps? Thanks for all your help, all. Sorry about length and number of questions--just so exciting!! MJ (Mary Jane)

[Mntsnow]

Goo,

You WILL need the cd rom drivers on a bootup disk to beable to use the cd!. What version of Windows are you planning on installing?

If you are going to install Win98...just use the boot disk that came with the cd and you will be off to the races (the win98 boot disk HAS cdrom drivers on it already)

Or you can have a friend WITH Win98 to make a boot disk for you and use it. the just use your Win95 cd for the install!

Good luck http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Mntsnow

ps...my intials are MJ too! (Michael John)

[BBA]

If it was originally working while connected to a sound card, then it won't work connected to the MB, although the connector looks the same, the interface is different.

This caused a bit of confusion too when the E-IDE stuff came on big time.

Glad you got it up!

BBA