Can I reinstall windows?

[schnizbo]

I recently had a power surge that corrupted my hard drive. My PIII Micron now runs windows 98 like a snail. Most programs crash and what does work is *slow* and erratic. Tried using Norton Systemworks with no success, and since my system is less than 2 months old I have no backups yet(aaaarrrgh!). I recieve a "could not load/run CDSETUP.EXE specified in WIN.INI file" message at startup. With soooooooo many problems, should I reinstall Windows 98? I am using FAT32 and can't find "uninstall windows 98" on add/remove programs menu. Anyone know how I could wipe my system clean and start from scratch(reinstall everything)?

[philipg]

I had a similar problem when I tried to overclock my PC. So what I did is I pull the CPU, the memory, all Cards out of the PC diconnected power, Mouse, keyboard and monitor, HD, FDD ,CDROM. I let the whole thing sit on the desk for about 2 hrs. I got brave after this time and put the CPU back in and hooked the keyboard and powered up the computer it went back to normal so I shut down and reassemble my poor PC and now its still working its been 3 weeks since this happened.

I beleive and other techs agree that I maybe have shocked the system like a power spike and the disassembly disappated the excess voltage store like a capacitor with leakage.

[fishboy]

if all you want to do is format the drive and start from scratch, well thats a no brainer. Format c:\ from a dos prompt and make sure you have all the original installers to get everything going again. Since you have win98, make a boot disk as it has cd support

[CMonster]

Be careful about what suggestions you take seriously on a BBS.

Yes, go ahead and reinstall W98, it may not fix all your problems but I doubt that it can do any harm.

Get back to us after you reinstall and let us know what happens.

George

[Susan]

I have to add to philipg's point.

I will never forget this experience:

About a year ago, I put together a system, but it would not boot up. I removed all the cards, disconnected the cables to the MB, changed/removed CPU, RAM, the PS, etc... but nothing.

After 6 hours of changing out all the hardware, I took a break and thought, realizing that the only hardware I had not completely removed physically from the case itself was the CD ROM drive. The cable was plugged into the back of the drive, but not into the MB.

I removed the cable from the back of the CD Drive, and it booted. I was completely shocked.

[Ed_S]

Schnizbo - First try reinstalling W98 w/o reformatting or deleting anything. As Cmonster said, can't hurt. Next, you said it's a two month old Micron system. USE YOUR WARRANTY!!! You paid for it, use it! DO NOT open it up or anything like that! Call them, explain what the machine is doing, omit mentioning the power surge unless they specifically ask. I'm not saying lie, just don't offer them a way out of the warranty!

Susan - Know what you mean, had exact same situation on one, in my case it turned out to be the CD's cable was bad. Good with old MB, bad w. new. Took 2 evenings of taking apart & putting together before I found it.

[Blade Runner]

If you decide to reformat and want a boot disk with cd support and a easy to follow setup....................
http://welcome.to/Blade_Runners_Boot_Disk


Blade Runner :-ޮ

[cobain1crt]

I would sugjest low level formating the sucker, if that does not help, then the surge damaged the physical hard drisk.

[Mntsnow]

One other thing I would suggest and kinda supprised that my fellow techies have not mentioned (but thats why we all are here covering each others backs) is after getting it going again PUT THE COMPUTER ON A SURGE PROTECTOR!...dont have to buy the most expensive one but get a good one that backups it claims with a warranty. (I personally like APC/Tripplite/EFI brands)

Mntsnow

ps I personally Would NOT do a low level format unless the drive was out of warranty or the MICRON techs direct you to do so!

[cobain1crt]

I figured he might have a surge protector by now.

[Ed_S]

Oops!! Caught me there, Mntsnow! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Slipped my mind to mention it. Frankly, I'm just so used to using them, I just never thought about it.

Definately use a surge protector! Mntsnow recommended several good brands, I'll mention the style. Get one of the newer ones that has the sockets sideways instead of inline. Works much better with the "power bricks" so many peripherals have.

[Mntsnow]

LOL http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif
Thats why we are all here!!

mntsnow