Scandisk and long file names

Some time since I was deeply involved in 98 SE ......

Friend's computer refuses to boot to Windows - various problems including colour bars on screen and when Windows did load - cursor would freeze - corrupted image files, etc. - only way of shutting down to pull out power lead. He has AV and Firewall - no idea if they are up to date.

All the following by phone following my instructions - friend is not very computer savvy, but tries hard! .....

Scandisk runs at each start up - not surprising - and hangs with reference to long file name and 'Run Scandisk for Windows'.

Can't get Windows to load so no chance of that.

Some cross linked files fixed.

Booted from startup disk to run scandisk from A: prompt.

Type scandisk /surface - says H drive not accessible - guessing this is the Ram drive.

Any thoughts before I go over Sunday evening?

I suspect the HD, but will attempt a format/re-install of 98SE.

 

1. Did you try to run:
scandisk C /surface
instead of just:
scandisk /surface
2. In DOS will it go from A:> to C:> prompt?
3. Did you try to delete that long name file from DOS?

 

Broni - thanks for the response.

Bear in mind that so far this has been dealt with at distance over the phone .....

1. No, but will try tonight (7 pm GMT)

2. Yes

3. No - that would have been too much for my friend to handle, and I don't know at this stage if the file was identified.

 

Since he is able to switch from A:> to C:> in DOS, HD should be OK.

 

Seems like the HD has many problems

Determined that the cross linked files were two large temp files cross linked with the Swap file. Deleted the temp files in DOS and then managed to get a surface scan to initiate. This is where the problem lies. After 3 hours only 6% of the scan completed and some 400 bad clusters detected and fixed. My friend will pursue this.

The drive is clearly failing - a new one is on order.

I can access the Dirs of C:, D: and E: partitions so am hopeful that the drive can be slaved to the new drive to transfer data from D: and E: partitions to the new drive.

 

Oh, boy.....He better hurry to get a new one...