installing win 98 problem

[pedroharp]

I bought a new comp (celeron 400) , and when I went to install win 98 it locked up during the boot disk part...so I had to restart, and what I think happened is that now the comp doesnt know what to do....now neither the monitor or the a: drive are recognized. the cdrom works but wont start the win 98 cd. so now my computer does nothing when it starts up. all I need is to get the a: drive to boot and I should be able to get it started..any suggestions?

[Gentle Giant]

Can you get into your bios? - and does it see your hardware?

[pedroharp]

You would have to walk me through how to get to the bios, since im new to all of it. nothing really happens when I boot up except the fan comes on and the cdrom cranks up a bit. sorry if thats not much help.

[zskillz]

usually, when you turn it on, some stuff should appear. First will be the type of graphics card that you're using. Next you can see it running through and checking you RAM. then it'll usually start to detect your hard disk (drive).. it is usually around this point that you can press the <DEL> key a few times just to make sure, but the screen should flicker and bit and then you can get a very basic looking graphical menu which is your BIOS. DON'T CHANGE SOMETHING UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CHANGING!!... this always leads to trouble unless you know how to fix your own mistakes.
-Z

btw, have you opend the case or anything like that?... if your a: was working, it's unusual for it to just stop. if you have opened the case, make sure the the IDE cables (flat grey ones) are securely in there plugs

[DHatAVI]

Over the years, computers have gotten alot closer to automatically configuring themselves, but at this time, it still requires certain settings to be manually choosen.

When the computer is switched on, the first thing that takes place is what is called the 'POST' (power on self test). The first thing the monitor usually displays it the video card info, which is a part of it's POST. If you do not get any display at all, this usually is indicative that something is not properly installed or completely seated, i.e. memory, cpu, cables etc.
If this is the case, and you don't feel comfortable opening up the computer, then by all means, take it back. Something is wrong.

The next thing you will usually see is the memory scan and a message saying something like "Hit ___ to enter SETUP". This is when you hit that key or combination of keys to enter the land of BIOS setup.
There are several BIOS manufacturers, and each has it's own setup program, but usually there is a Hard disk auto detect function and you will need to be certain that your floppy drive is set propery. Also, be certain that the boot sequence is 'A: C:'.

Once you have made all the correct settings, you are ready to save and exit the setup program. The computer will then continue it's boot cycle.

You will not be able to just insert your Win98 CD and start installing, you have to have a floppy disk that is bootable, with CD-rom support and containing the FDISK and FORMAT programs at the very least. Preferably a Windows 98 start up disk.

Before installing windows, you will need to use those 2 programs, in the order listed above to prepare the Hard Disk Drive for use.
But if you purchased the computer, already assembled, this may have already been done.
You can run FDISK, and choose '4' to view current partition info. You will quickly know if it has'nt.

This site: www.windows-help.net/windows98/start-01.shtml (http://www.windows-help.net/windows98/start-01.shtml)
has useful information on installing Windows 98, as well as using the FDISK and FORMAT commands.

You will also find alot of information at this site as well.

Hope this gets you headed in the right dir.

David

[This message has been edited by DHatAVI (edited 08-10-99).]

[pedroharp]

thanks everyone for the help. The next morning when I rebooted the comp the EXACT same way i had before it loaded up. I swear...computers.