Computer stuck in DOS mode? What a mess...

[kdlindsey]

Okay, this is long and complicated and about to make me insane. About two months ago, my 13yr. old son tried to load a DOS game, on CD.

He didn't ask first and obviously didn't know what he was doing. I believe the computer froze on him while he was doing it and he shut it down.

When it rebooted, I had no desktop, no start menu, no clock, just a Task Scheduler.

Eventually, I got my desktop back...but definitely don't know how.

Now when you reboot, it gets to Starting Windows and then you get a C:\ prompt....then you have to type in win and then you get a password dialog box, which I have never used but somehow when I was getting my desktop back up I enabled it and now I can't disable it or I go back to nothing but a Task Scheduler again.

I tried to reinstall Win95 but when i got to the part where it copies the files, i get a SUSwin error and you have to back out.

I am experiencing lots of errors and problems with it running this way and now my CDROM does not work....it will load "small"? programs but if you put anything large in...like Encarta Encyclopedia or an installation program...it freezes up the computer....you can hear it whirring and whisking and trying to spin the CD but it just can't quite make it.

I know this is a lot but can anyone help me fix the OS problem and the CDRom problem? I just bought a digital camera and am dying to try it out, lol!

Thanks! Kim

[Dave_H]

Have you tried to re-install the game, properly exit it and then remove it?
Or does your cd-rom not work well enough for that.

[Ed_S]

When you attempted to reinstall W95, did you do it from within windows, or from dos, or what?

Never seen an "SUSwin error", not sure what the cause is.

BTW - my kids are 14 & 15 - ain't it fun when they do this stuff??!!

Ed

[scotter]

sorry to say this but to get your computer back is going to take some reg hacks and a lot of work your best bet at this point is to back up every thing you really want to keep or cant replace and reformat, reinstall windows from scratch not only wil it fix all the mess ups but it will make your system run a lot better like all fresh install's do http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
that will really be the easyest way to fix all your problems.

[jad1097]

When you have to type in win to get to the desktop the GUI for windows has been disabled. Do you have Winboost2000? If so maybe the son got into it and played around.

Have you ever beeen in the regisrty? If not now is the time. I really don't know much about win95 reg hacks.
If you have anything you want on there back it up and then do a reformat and install. This would be the easiest way to cure your problems. Just make sure you have a bootdisk with cd drivers so you can acess you cdrom to reinstall.
Also when you do fix this go into the BIOS and make a user password so that your son can not gain access to your computer without your supervision.

[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 01-25-2000).]

[kdlindsey]

No, I just hate it when they do that....grrrrrr! lol

Did I mention that I have the 13yr old plus an 11 yr old and a 5 1/2 month old, all BOYS!!!!!

No the cd drive won't work enough to retry the game, darn...I hate formatting.

I have a few questions about the formatting. I have done it a few times before, but not in a while, thank god. Basically I had my computer custom built, and chose an idiot to do it. After several crashes he replaced everything in the system but the modem and the cd drive and it still doesn't work right, which leads me to another question...before the darling son crashed it, I had taken the cover off because it has a fan problem...it just can't keep up, even though he put a new one in.

How much would it cost to get a new fan, where is the best place to buy one, and is it something I can install myself? Also, what do you base the size of the fan on, since I think he is not using a large enough fan. I am running Windows 95, my puter has a 300mhz mmx cyrix processor, 4.2 gig hard drive, 64memory and a 24x cdrom. Did i leave anything out?

Okay, formatting question, I do digress, lol! I have a floppy disk that says format on it that my wonderful computer builder gave me, when he got tired of doing it for free himself(even though it was still under warranty) Basically you go through and format, then reinstall windows....but I don't remember all the steps, I know you put it in, then I think you type in C:/format...??? and I never remember what you do after it is done formatting, I always have a hard time accessing D drive so I can put the win95 cd in. Can someone give me a roadmap, with the steps?

Since I am here, I might as well kill 10 birds with one stone, the digital camera I just bought is a Vivitar 2750 ViviCam...it was on clearance at Wal-mart for $119.00, but...the serial cable to connect it to my pc only fits where my mouse connects in. I did disconnect the mouse and plug in the camera to upload the photos but it wouldn't connect.

It says in the manual that your computer may have a 25pin male serial connector, which I believe mine does( i am not interested in counting all those little holes!), and that you can get a 25F to 9M at an electronics store. Is this a different cable altogether or is it an plug to go on the end of the serial cable and allow it to hook into the larger port? Will I have to sell my firstborn to buy it? Which could be an option if he messes up the puter again!

Thank you guys bunches and sorry to ask so many question but, I need input! lol

[jad1097]

You can go here (http://www.zdnet.com/zdtv/callforhelp/howto/story/0,3650,2217085,00.html) to read how to reformat a drive.
Ok I get the cable thing now( I am kind of tired). You have a mouse connected to a serial port not a PS/2 port.The 25 pin port should be the Printer port. Now do you have a couple of little round ports on the back of your computer(PS/2 ports)? If so it may just be cheaper to go out and buy a cheap mouse than buy an adapter for the serial to printer.Don't feel bad I had to count all those little holes to be sure.

And ask as many questions as you feel you need to. That is what this BBS is all about.
BTW you have a nice page.

[This message has been edited by jad1097 (edited 01-25-2000).]

[CMonster]

Well, Microsoft has a whole write up on how to fix the "stuck in DOS mode" problem - I will shorten it for you;

delete the contents of your autoexec.bat and config.sys files and reboot

Here is the Microsoft link : http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q151/7/17.asp





[This message has been edited by CMonster (edited 01-26-2000).]

[jad1097]

Great tip CM How did I miss that?

[Dave_H]

Kim,
About your fan, If your talking about the one in your power supply, it's an 80mm fan that will run you about $8 to $10.
If the fan is still working, you may be better off to just add another. If you have any extra places where the cards plug into the board, you can get a "slot fan" for less than $15.
I like CMonsters's idea a lot, think that if you can get your system to boot to windows properly, the other problems might be pretty easy to fix. Also, your Cd-Rom problem could be the same kind of problem with something in the autoexec.bat or config sys.
If you do have to format, I guess you could always make your sons some brussel sprouts or cauliflower for dinner. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif
Dave

[Ed_S]

I'll tackle your last question, because I think I've got this one beat!

? Which could be an option if he messes up the puter again!

I've got my hadrdrives in removeable racks.

http://www.mobileracks.com/images/movingrack.gif

Get two of these, plus an extra HD. Keep YOURS locked up elsewhere, leave THEIRS in the machine. If they screw it up, they're SOL but you're still in business!!

After a couple of times of being down until you get around to fixing theirs, they learn to be more careful!!

2nd advantage - Your HD doesn't get cluttered with saved games and such, and your data files are safe from those young curious eyes!
("Dad says we can't have $$, let's just check Quicken ourselves...")

This WILL prevent these things!!! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif


Ed

[Nathan]

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q136/4/16.asp?LNG=ENG&SA=ALLKB
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q149/7/13.asp?LNG=ENG&SA=ALLKB

Suwin Errors
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/6883/suwin.html

This was on my site.

Let us know if these help.

[This message has been edited by Nathan (edited 01-26-2000).]

[alien_from_io]

The easy way to format 95 is to get a 98 boot disc(1.2mb)stick it in type "sys c:", re-boot let it load the generic cd rom drivers, then either of two methods. at the ms/dos prompt type d: enter, if found type setup, enter,(have the cd in) if not re-boot then try setup again. 1. The first ms/dos command is "c:" enter, it'll look like c:/> something like that. then 2. format c:\s , it'll wipe the disc and transfer the system files, it should take the cd at this point, however if not there is several more commands at the links above. hope this helps, Take me to your leader.

[This message has been edited by alien_from_io (edited 01-26-2000).]