Computer Problem

[CrasHdEfeCT]

I have an old 486/SX computer, and a person built it. But we didn't know much back then about computers. Now i'm like a intermediate, in fixing problems and i recognize computers a whole lot. I just figured out that the computer has lots of junk. I want to format the whole harddrive so there is nothing inside. Pure blank. How am I gonna boot up? I heard, I need to boot from a floppy and Fdisk. That then creates generic CD-ROM drivers and I can install Windows 95. But, how do i access the DOS? And do you think it's a good idea reformatting, i don't have any Emergency Recovery, so i'm stuck with that, plus there are important files, but i can't find out which is important and not, cuz there are too many old files.

[CrasHdEfeCT]

anyone???? it's really important, my HD is 504MB, yea.. nothing compared to my other 10GB comp..

[ktwebb]

bootdisk.com should have a bootdisk for your needs, with CDROM support.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Like the other dude said, www.bootdisc.com (http://www.bootdisc.com) get a Win 98 boot disc cause it has cd rom drivers on it.. Put it in and re-boot, at the dos prompt type help, read the options. Probably you'll type in c: enter, then type format c:/ s , enter, the "s" will transfer system files to get the cd rom moving. Stick in the cd rom and note that the drive number is now moved up one notch.. I think this is enuf to get it humming... DrVette

[This message has been edited by Richard_Cranium72 (edited 02-13-2000).]

[pickel]

I have a few, can send you one if you want.
Can copy you a Norton boot disc too. Let me know http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[CrasHdEfeCT]

hey, i heard, u can just:
1. Boot from startup disk
2. Format HD
3. Load CD ROM drivers by editing config.sys and autoexec.bat
4. Install Win95, cuz my doesn't accept win98

But.. is there a generic driver for all CD Roms, becuz my CD-ROM won't work in DOS, and when i type D:\ (my drive letter) it says invalid drive specification. What do i do, is there a way to create a D drive in Dos, the D works in my current Windows95 though.

[Ed_S]

plus there are important files, but i can't find out which is important and not, cuz there are too many old files.

BACK UP THE WHOLE THING FIRST!!

Format & reinstall is easy enough & help is available. But data files, once gone, are GONE and no one can help much!!

Ed

[madmike]

Send me your e-mail address, I will send you copy of win 95 osr2 boot disc, this will load drivers for most cd rom drives just read the "read me" file first, you may have to alter the parameters in drvcopy, cofig.sys etc, but the readme will tel you how. you can then boot with CD support and reload win 95.
If your cd rom is connected to a sound card rather than directly to your motherboard, then you have a mega problem and the win 95 osr2 boot disc will not help you.
Let me know, I will gladly attach the boot disc to an e-mail.

madmike.

[CrasHdEfeCT]

deng... i think it is connect to my freaken Sound card, it's a MediaVision Double Fusion LX. The one with the philipps CDROM.

[ktwebb]

You do not have to install 98 just because you use a 98 startup disk. It is the easiest solution to get to your CDROM drive in DOS. After you format copy all the win95 directory from your CD to a directory on your hard drive. I call that folder cabs on my machine but you can call it anything you want. Run setup from there and forget about your CDROM. Faster install and no worries.

[CrasHdEfeCT]

i don't have win98 on my old computer, i have a 95 startup disk, but i use 98 in my other computer. Should i use the 98 or 95 startup disk. My CD ROM is hooked up to my soundcard. When I use DOS, i type d: (my cdrom drive letter), but it says "invalid drive specification). Now what...