Error message windows 98; can't reboot

I attempted to reboot my computer and now I can't get on anymore at all.. During the restart it goes to the Windows 98 screen, but then when it attempts to load to the startup screen, an error message appears saying: "Data Error Reading Drive C." I also tried to restart in safe mode and then received an error message stating: "Windows is bypassing your startup files" and then the next message once again reads: "Data Error Reading drive C."
Any help reloading would be greatly appreciated,because right now I can't reboot at all and this computer is useless.

 

Welcome to WindowsBBS.

If you have a bootable floppy (assuming you have a floppy drive) I would boot to it and see if you can access the drive.
Second, I would check the data cables to ensure they are seated properly.
If no luck, try replacing the data cable.

Mitch

 

I don't have a floppy and when you speak of data cables what do you mean? Are you talking about the cacle to my router?

 

No I am talking about the flat ribbon cable running from the Motherboard to the HDD. Open the case and make sure they are seated good.

But first, If you have a bootable CD, try booting to it to see if you can access the C: drive.

How old is the drive?

 

Is there anyway I can get to run SCAN DISC to try and fix the errors? I do not have a bootable CD available to me to reboot the system as you previously mentioned. I also saw information here about booting through DOS Prompt;is that possible using SCANREGISTER \REGISTER at the C:\Prompt setting?

 

Before you can use any of these tools you need to boot your computer to at least Dos Mode (Command prompt only), try that option in the startup (F8) menu.

If you can get to a command prompt run scandisk (forget about the registry just now). After scandisk has finished try restarting.

 

If I can get to command prompt in the DOS Mode what do I type to run the scandisk or how do I run scandisk?Please be specific and I thank you. Would it show up as:
C:\ or something similar and then I type in scandisk??

 

Further to wildfire's instructions:

Assuming you were successful in booting to a command prompt, I would first recommend typing the following at your C:\ prompt:
SCANDISK /RESTORE
This should permit you to select any one of your previous good backups which will be labeled as xxxxxxxxxx001 or 002 or 003, depending on what your default level was set at. note the space between K and /

Post Back re: your results. There are a few other potential fixes that can be tried before you go messing around, potentially hosing your recovery options.

 

Scandisk for 98 doesn't have a restore option.

When at the C:\ prompt type "scandisk /all "

If that fails try

"\windows\command\scandisk /all "

Obviously without the quotes in both cases.

 

I'm getting closer I think. I ran scandisk /all at the DOS prompt as you suggested and it came back clearing many errors, but then when I attempted to restart the computer I now got a new message stating:
VMM32.VXD is required to run windows.
If this file is not in your path,you may need to reinstall windows.
C:\>

So now what??? Any help greatly appreciated.

 

My Bad - You are oh so correct.
Its been too long - the proper command is SCANREG /RESTORE

 

Ok, still in the command prompt type (press enter at the end of each line)

CD \windows
dir /AD

A few directories will be listed, hopefully you'll see options or cabs but if not let me know what is there.

 

It's unlikely to help, the HD has obviously been fragged, looks like its a data recovery and system reinstall. Hopefully the CAB files are on the HD but even then a new hard drive may be in order.

 

Do I go back into DOS prompt to do this or do I just type type it in from the error message when I see; C:\>
and do i type this as separate entries pressing enter at he end of each line??
and what do i do when i see the options or cabs??
as you can tell im no computer whiz;thanks

 

wildfire:

I leave this in your most capable hands and am hopeful that you can recover that virtual device driver. I always used to like to try a potentially less destructive approach before running scandisk but you obviously know your DOS and I don't want to interfere or confuse the situation further. Further, I think bbw is best to follow your guidance exclusively at this point.

 

Whenever you see the C:\ is fine.

 

Scandisk is only destructive after the data had been damaged anyway. The report that many errors had been repaired does point to a very sick hard drive.

 

I agree with Rockster2U, I'll sit back and watch and relearn.

 

I tried entering what you said:
CD \windows then entered it
dir /AD then entered it
and when I did it showed 57directories but I did not see options or cabs listed. At the bottom of that screen was:
C:\windows>
Now what???Is this computer fixable or is it paperweight?

 

something like this happened to me just recently. because i am learning things and messing around with an older comp. i was changeing things around in BIOS. try setting config to default in BIOS.