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371 files 58 directories were listed when i followed your instructions. Just to let you know I do not have that windows installation key # and I do not have the disc for any re-install.
The key and CD are not important right now, hopefully we'll retrieve the key from your registry and those CAB files are intact enough to do a reinstall.
How important is the data/software on the drive for you? If you are happy starting with a basic 98 system then from the c:\ prompt type
del *.chk
Let me know if any files were deleted.
If you really need to recover the data then it's gonna be a lot of work.
371 files 58 directories were listed when i followed your instructions. Just to let you know I do not have that windows installation key # and I do not have the disc for any re-install.
To confirm before you del *.chk is the data on the drive important to you?
If I go through this procedure is the hard drive totally cleared and will I definitely be able to re-install windows?? If the re-install isn't definite I'd have to consider. How much trouble is it to try and save all data and re-install windows?
If I go through this procedure is the hard drive totally cleared and will I definitely be able to re-install windows??
I cannot say, hopefull is the best I'll offer but I'll continue to help you through.
Quote:
If the re-install isn't definite I'd have to consider. How much trouble is it to try and save all data and re-install windows?
OK,
Your hard drive took some severe damage, it is possible you'll have to replace it but even it you don't the data is perhaps irretrievable without specialist software/expertise (read expensive).
If we can recover your Product Key and a complete set of cabinet files (.CAB) a reinstallation will be relatively easy but you'll lose some or all data on the drive.
I cannot say, hopefull is the best I'll offer but I'll continue to help you through.
OK,
Your hard drive took some severe damage, it is possible you'll have to replace it but even it you don't the data is perhaps irretrievable without specialist software/expertise (read expensive).
If we can recover your Product Key and a complete set of cabinet files (.CAB) a reinstallation will be relatively easy but you'll lose some or all data on the drive.
It's your decision.
Is it possible to try and retrieve the system as is without deleting anything? Can we try and find the product key and try restoring the system and see what exists? I would rather try that road if it's possible.
Is it possible to try and retrieve the system as is without deleting anything? Can we try and find the product key and try restoring the system and see what exists? I would rather try that road if it's possible.
By typing del *.chk will that only check for deleted files without taking any action? If that's the case I'd be willing to try that. Let me know
By typing del *.chk will that only check for deleted files without taking any action? If that's the case I'd be willing to try that. Let me know
OK, forget del *.chk for the moment, try
dir *.chk
tell me how many (if any files are found). The .chk files are what scandisk picked up earlier as problem files, to recover them may be possible but it won't be easy.
The errors you reported before (ie file creation error and cannot create directory entry) indicate that either your hard drive is read only (unlikely) or you're using FAT16 which has a limit on how many files/directories are possible in the root directory.
tell me how many (if any files are found). The .chk files are what scandisk picked up earlier as problem files, to recover them may be possible but it won't be easy.
The errors you reported before (ie file creation error and cannot create directory entry) indicate that either your hard drive is read only (unlikely) or you're using FAT16 which has a limit on how many files/directories are possible in the root directory.
I tried what you recommended using dir *chk and it showed 336 files and 0 directories..if you're saying that the 336 files are rpoblem files it looks bleak I'd say. Let me know and thanks for dealing with this extended problem.
I tried what you recommended using dir *chk and it showed 336 files and 0 directories..if you're saying that the 336 files are rpoblem files it looks bleak I'd say. Let me know and thanks for dealing with this extended problem.
Ok, if you're not willing to delete them then try this
cd \
copy *.chk \windows
That'll move those 300'odd files to your windows directory. If they are copied without any errors then do this
del *.chk
That'll give us room in the root directory to create files etc and hopefully restore your system.
I'm going to be offline for a few hours but will check in again around 22:00 GMT
Ok, if you're not willing to delete them then try this
cd \
copy *.chk \windows
That'll move those 300'odd files to your windows directory. If they are copied without any errors then do this
del *.chk
That'll give us room in the root directory to create files etc and hopefully restore your system.
I'm going to be offline for a few hours but will check in again around 22:00 GMT
I did as you suggested and after entering copy *.chk/windows it showed files 0001.chk through file 0335.chk copied and I then entered
del *.chk and it brought me back to a flashing C: \>
Awaiting the next step to restore.
I did as you suggested and after entering copy *.chk/windows it showed files 0001.chk through file 0335.chk copied and I then entered
del *.chk and it brought me back to a flashing C: \>
Awaiting the next step to restore.
OK, now try what I suggested earlier...
Quote:
As we say in the UK, now we're cooking with gas
Yes it's worth trying to fix but we need to know where those cab files are...
Let's try something similar but I'll get some feedback...
From a dos prompt
cd \
dir *.cab /s > List.txt
Give it a few minutes, your monitor won't show any results and your computer may appear to hang, but the C:\> prompt will reappear eventually.
When the prompt comes back type
edit list.txt
This will show you the output from the dir command and you should see which directory those cab files are in (I'm thinking you maybe have two copies due to the number).
this should now work without the file creation error.
this should now work without the file creation error.
There is too much information for me to type it all but I'll give you the gist. At the very top of the page it said "volume in drive C has no label" then underneath it it said: volume serial number is 3017-15EF"
Then it listed multiple directories:
directory of C:\program~1\intern~1\w2k
IEEX CAB 1file
directory of C:\program~1\online~1\msn50 MSN 50 CAB 1 file
directory of C:\program~1\window~3 IDENT CAB 1 file directory of C:\win98 BASE 4 CAB then 77 files were listed underneath (too many to list) IT's all GREEK to me, so now what???
There is too much information for me to type it all but I'll give you the gist. At the very top of the page it said "volume in drive C has no label" then underneath it it said: volume serial number is 3017-15EF"
Then it listed multiple directories:
directory of C:\program~1\intern~1\w2k
IEEX CAB 1file
directory of C:\program~1\online~1\msn50 MSN 50 CAB 1 file
directory of C:\program~1\window~3 IDENT CAB 1 file directory of C:\win98 BASE 4 CAB then 77 files were listed underneath (too many to list) IT's all GREEK to me, so now what???
OK, it looks like your setup files are in win98 so lets make sure...
OK, it looks like your setup files are in win98 so lets make sure...
cd \win98
dir *.exe
do you see SETUP EXE listed? Now...
dir *.cab
do you see 60+ files listed
If yes we'll look at retrieving your License Key.
Now we're cooking with kerosene as you say. I followed your above directions and under win98 I saw SETUPEXE listed as you thought, and then when I typed dir *.cab I saw 77 Cab files listed.Ok GURU, waiting for the next step and once again thanks;if you think this might be easier by phone send me your phone number to my aol email account at jetzmetz@aol.com and I'll call you. I'm in Long Island,NY and I sense you're in the Mountain time zone. No pressure whatever works for you;just let me know.
