stuck at c prompt at startup

im trying to fix a friend's computer. at first when i started the computer, i got the system disk error. i then started it up with a bootdisk, ran sys c:, and rebooted. everything seemed fine, but then the windows 95 cloud screen pops up for about half a second then i get the c prompt. i have no idea where to go from here. please help.

 

I would do this command to check the drive.
scandisk /surface /autofix
When that completes, use this command and press Enter.
win

 

i tried both of those at the c prompt, and both give me the "bad command or file name ". but the scandisk works when i have a bootdisk in and i have a prompt. win does not work at a prompt. it also says "bad command or file name "

 

I think the drive has been erased somehow or some very necessary files. You have already needed to transfer system files to it.
I believe you are going to need to install windows.
Do you have any questions to ask about this?
I do know you will need to know this. The default 95 boot floppy does not make the CD work. If you go to Bootdisk's, you can download a file that will create one that will work the floppy. Just put a floppy into the drive, and double click the file.
I do recommend getting the 98SE OEM download. You can use it to install 95. The first stage of the install is copying files from the CD onto the drive, remove the floppy at the first reboot.

 

This may be a silly question but have you typed win (enter) at the C:\ prompt? If that doesn't work, hit dir and hit enter. At least that will let you know if there are still files on the drive.