Win98 Hanging on Bootup

[kriisten]

I am working on a friends pc (aren't they all friends). His daughter stuck a spoon in the slot where the 3.5 floppy should be but isn't (dunno why). Now when the computer boots it gets to the inital win98 logo screen and hangs. I could just reinstall windows, but I am trying to figure out how a spoon being stuck into a case can cause a software problem?!?! any ideas?

[Horatio]

Kriisten,
A suggestion to get you started. I'm sure some experts will come along soon. Does the floppy drive light come on (for a second or stay on) while the computer is booting?
If it is damaged and the computer bios is set to boot from A drive first maybe that could have something to do with it. I would try going into the bios by (usually hitting delete key or sometimes F1 as soon as you see the bios info appear at startup) go to startup options and set the boot order to C first then A. Save, exit and reboot the computer and see if that lets windows load.

[kriisten]

Horatio,
Thanks for the advice, but when I said the floppy wasn't there, I meant it really isn't there. There is the cover with the slot in it but no floppy drive inside. That's kind of why I'm wondering if she could have shorted something out that is affecting the software when she stuck the spoon in there.

[Horatio]

Kriisten,
OK, I see what you mean. I though you meant she stuck the spoon in where the disk goes. Was your friend using this computer before this happened with no floppy drive in it? Depending on how big that spoon was, lots of things could have happened in there. If it was mine, I would get inside and get a look at all connections. Make sure everything is plugged in properly and nothing is visibly damaged. I don't know if you're comfortable doing that, but if you do, make sure everything is turned off and unplugged and before you touch anything inside the computer make sure you ground yourself. (I usually touch the unpainted screw on an electrical wall outlet) or at least touch the unpainted part of your power supply first before touching anything else or you could cause damage to delicate things. Post as much info as you can, like what if any beeps or error messages you see when you first turn it on. Exactly when did this start happening and where did the floppy drive go?
I'm off to work, but I'm sure someone will be able to help you soon.
H..

[kriisten]

whoever closes these, go ahead. this turned out to be a mess and i just reformatted the hard drive and reloaded windows. i think it was a virus and i wasn't in the mood to go any further as i was doing this for free for a "friend"