computer wont load windows

hi i have a gateway not sure was else it is called but my computer crashed and a friend of mine tried to repair it but he deleted everything so i am trying myself i have a cd to reinstall windows on to my computer but when i use it it keeps popping up a runtime error is there a way i can fix that and reinstall windows thankyou for any help you can give

 

Hi, welcome to the BBS.

You will need to give details about the error, with wording as close as possible.

If you can also describe at what stage the error happens, that would also help.

Matt

 

iam trying to reinstal windows 98 i am using a restore cd that came with the computer and it will load to the menu with the cd but when i click install windows 98 it goes to the preparing os installation screen it say installation being prepared please wait then in black it says runtime error 100 at 0000:7a6f then a:\ > and i tried to use the windows menu with out the disc but it wont load in to safe mode and i dont know what else to do i thhink my friend used the delete and reinstall windows opition and he said it froze up

 

Sorry to say that I have not dealt with a runtime error for a long time.

The "installation" is actually controlled by the restore disk, it is not a normal/standard Windows installation. I would suggest that you look up the operating system installation information at the computer manufacturer's website. It will be important that you follow their instructions.

I think it is due to the method you are using. You will need to follow the manufacturer's procedure. If you have problems after that, you may find that they may respond to an e-mail to their support. Some manufacturers run forums.

Matt

 

Try cleaning the CD. Any scratches on it?

 

disc is clean no scratches but now when i turn on my pc its has a message a problem with the hard drive has been detected. consult trouble shooting i tried to go in to safe mode butit goes to the windows picture and freezes up i called gateway they sent me this info but i am not sure what to do Q: How do I run the Fdisk program, format the hard disk, or GWScan from the SRCD?

A: For System Restoration CDs 18.5 and earlier, you must boot to the CD and select Option 2 - Boot to CD, and then select Option 1 - MS-DOS Prompt. Verify that you are in the MS-DOS directory located on the CD-ROM, for example D:\DOS.
For System Restoration CDs 18.6 and later, you must boot to the CD and select 2. Boot from CD, and then select X. Exit to a Command Prompt. Verify that you are in the MS-DOS directory located on the CD-ROM, for example D:\DOS.

 

I only know the basics in DOS, anyway Markp62 or one of the others might help me out if I make a mess of it

You must start the computer with the restoration CD in the drive. Do not have an floppy disks in the floppy disk drive. If it does not boot then the "boot sequence" is set to boot from the harddrive (the C: drive), not the CD drive (which will probably be the D: drive). You will then need to change the boot sequence in the BIOS (CMOS) settings to boot from the CD drive before the harddrive (which may be termed Drive 0).

You should see the prompt
D:\>
or
D:\DOS> (if you are in the DOS folder)

To go from D:\ to D:\DOS, type
CD DOS [Enter]

Type
DIR [Enter]
that will show you the files and folders in that directory.

To run Fdisk, type
FDISK [Enter]
You should not need to run Fdisk, the harddrive should already be partitioned and formatted.

To wipe out/format the old Windows type
FORMAT C: [Enter]

BUT TRY THIS FIRST
In the D:\DOS directory type
SETUP [Enter]
This should run Windows setup to reinstall Windows over the old Windows installation. If it works you should have all the old programs, data and settings still intact. If it does not work you will need to format the C: drive and then run Windows setup.

DOS is strict in where you put spaces and the commands must be accurate.

Hope this gets you going. Let us know if you get stuck.

Matt

 

i just wanted to let you know i sent my computer to gateway today because i kept getting lost i just wanted to tell you all thankyou for your help have a nice day

 

redjayson, thanks for letting us know. If your system is in that sort of condition it does not hurt to experiment a little (it can't get much worse ).

Hope they can put it back in working order easily. It should not be a lot of work to get it going again. If the bill seems high, don't hestitate to question it! They should be able reinstall the system with their eyes closed .

Anyway, next time, try yourself, you will have little to lose and a lot of experience to gain.

Hope it goes well
Matt

 

Sorry to hear you sent off your box

From where you stated your system was...

I would have you use GWSCAN - and write zeros to the HDD.

Then boot to the Win98 CD. ( start with cdrom support )

It will note that there is not an active partition on your HDD. Use Fdisk option 1 - 1 to created an active primary partition (use 100%).

Reboot to CD again and start the W98 setup from the menu - it will format the drive and begin the install. ( On all future reboots ignore the boot from CD prompt! )

After W98 is installed and you are at the desktop you can now insert your System restoration CD and start installing drivers.

Do Video first! Then Direct X

Once done with the drivers go online and update DirectX.

Now you can install some of the software apps from the SRCD - don't install old Anti-Virus or anything else you don't need or use.

I'm sorry this didn't help you, but hopefully it may help others.

BTW Gateway provides a full Bootable W98 cd - just like a full retail product. The extra drivers and software is on a System Restoration CD. For those who don't have a GTW system you would need the drivers for all installed hardware (Video, modem, NIC, soundcard, etc.)

 

In order to reboot your system properly and do it right with the recovery disk. Make yourself a startup Windows 98x disk. Stick it in and boot your system. Just do as it says and when you get back to the A: Type in format c: and hit enter. It will ask you if this is what you want to do. Type y hit enter. When this finishes formating you C: drive take the dis out and put your recovery disk in. It will install now without problems.