cd rom/mouse/program troubles

I Have a computer that I have been having some problems with and was wondering if I could get some help here. It was given to me by my old roomate and I just recently set it up, but the CD rom is not working and in fact doesn't even show up like it's connected to the computer. I have a mouse going through a USB port that is not working either. I am also having trouble using some of the programs that are on the computer with it having trouble locating them. I looked around at some books at the library and thought this might be a Boot sector Virus. Also when I talked to Zach the roomate in question he mentioned having some virus problems with it. Can anyone help with this?

 

Is this a desktop or laptop computer?

 

It is a desktop running Windows 98.


Joshua

 

You might want to open the case and check all connections, particularly those that go to the CD-ROM and the USB ports.

As for the programs, are you sure they are still installed?

You may want to just reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows, assuming you have the Windows CD or recovery disk if that's what is used on your computer.

Is it a name brand like HP or Dell or Compaq?

 

I tried the connections and they seemed ok. The computer recoginizes the mouse but tells me in order to use it I need to configure it to windows. I tried running the windows 98 disk but the CD Rom is acting like it's not connected. I tried going to the control panel and adding it as hardware but I had to run the windows disk for that too, which I can't do because the CD rom is what I am trying to install. The computer is a Powerspec P.C.

Thanks for your help
Joshua

 

Is there a version of Windows I could use from a 3 1/2 floppy or some other source besides cd rom?

 

Might help:

Open the case and disconnect the cables (data/ribbon and power, don't worry if there is a little audio cable attached) to the drive. Startup and boot into Windows. Shutdown and reconnect the cables (be careful not to knock/loosen any other connections while you are working in there).

If no lights flash on the drive at startup, I would try borrowing another CD drive to try. If the drive is dead you will need to replace it sooner or later (or live without running CDs...hard nowdays )

Matt

 

Thanks, I'll let you know how it went sometime this week.

Joshua