windows not loading.

my computer crashed, and now when i turn it on, the basic C:\win prompt doesn't make windows load. instead this is what i get.

Please type a command for Windows Interpeter (e.g., C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)

i have no idea what to do, and i really don't have the money to get it fixed if it can be at all. i'd like to not have to reformat the hardrive seeing as how i have all of my daughters pictures on this one already. if anyone knows what to do i'd appreciate their help tremendously. thank you in advance.

jen.

 

You may need a startup floppy from Bootdisk's to begin with. Or you can create one from the computer you are on. A 98 disk is the one you need.
After booting with it, you should do a complete Scandisk from the A: prompt
Scandisk /all
If it finds a lot of errors, allow it to fix them. If you have a Window's CD, you can do an overlay install of windows.
This will install Windows on top of itself, leaving the installed programs and everything else like it is, leaving no need to format. Then a visit to the Windows Update page will be in order.
If you have a Recovery CD, there should be an option to do a Repair install, preventing the need for it to format and then install Windows and whatever else the CD installs.
You could try to extract the files that Windows says are missing, but since trying Win ends up with the message the Command.Com is not found, that tells me more files could be corrupt or missing.

 

Try typing win.com. If you get a file not found error you'll have to extract a new one from your windows cd or the cab files on your hard drive. Can't remember the name of the file to look for in the cab files (it's named something else and you have to rename it to win.com once you've extracted it) but I've got it here somewhere if you need it.

 

Thank you

your advice helping her, helped me out as well. I had a similar problem with that command.com. thanks!!!!!!!!!