Error message windows 98; can't reboot

Sorry for the delay everyone has to sleep sometime... Anyway, try this..


cd \
dir *.cab /s

Again from a dos prompt (when you see C:\>) Let me know if it finds any files and where they are.

edit:
Yes your computer can be repaired but you may need to replace the hard drive (not too expensive), you will need to reinstall windows and I am trying to accertain that you have the files available. It would help if you tell me whether you have a CD/DVD burner available.

 

Itried what you suggested and I found many CAB files and at the end of all the listings it stated 120 files 0 directories. I am still receiving that same eror message when it attempts to reboot:
VMM32.VXD is required to run windows. If this file is not in your path, you may need to reinstall windows.
what's your advice is this thing worth fixing?

 

As we say in the UK, now we're cooking with gas

Yes it's worth trying to fix but we need to know where those cab files are...

Let's try something similar but I'll get some feedback...

From a dos prompt

cd \
dir *.cab /s > List.txt

Give it a few minutes, your monitor won't show any results and your computer may appear to hang, but the C:\> prompt will reappear eventually.

When the prompt comes back type

edit list.txt

This will show you the output from the dir command and you should see which directory those cab files are in (I'm thinking you maybe have two copies due to the number).

 

Your message about VMM32.VXD missing is really not good news. This file is created during the windows installation, and is unique to your hardware setup. Simply extracting a CAB file isn't going to work.
But I've seen wildfire has beaten me here. What he is trying to do is get your windows installation reinstalled.
This is something that is going to come up. Do you happen to know your windows Product Key? This is going to come up, and there is a method to get it out of the registry using the dos prompt, but will wait on that.
It may be posted somewhere on your computer case. It will look like this, except it will have random letters and numbers, not X's.
XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

 

Hi Mark?

I was coming to that but I'm taking things one step at a time, I'm hoping bbw has a cd/dvd writer so he/she can backup any data before a reinstallation.

Right now I'm concentrating on confirming a reliable 98 setup is available.

 

I tried what you listed and it came back with qiote of "File Creation Error "

 

This isn't looking too good, try this

copy command.com command.old

Let me know if you get a file creation error with that.

 

Tried what you sugested again and it said:
"Cannot make directory entry - command.old "
Guess this thing can't be restored

 

Don't give up just yet, I'm thinking it's a filesystem limitation, from the c:\ type this

dir

I'm not interested in the filenames at the moment only how many there are.

 

371 files 58 directories were listed when i followed your instructions. Just to let you know I do not have that windows installation key # and I do not have the disc for any re-install.

 

The key and CD are not important right now, hopefully we'll retrieve the key from your registry and those CAB files are intact enough to do a reinstall.

How important is the data/software on the drive for you? If you are happy starting with a basic 98 system then from the c:\ prompt type

del *.chk

Let me know if any files were deleted.

If you really need to recover the data then it's gonna be a lot of work.

 

Awaitng your next suggested direction;thanks>

 

See the previous post...

To confirm before you del *.chk is the data on the drive important to you?

 

If I go through this procedure is the hard drive totally cleared and will I definitely be able to re-install windows?? If the re-install isn't definite I'd have to consider. How much trouble is it to try and save all data and re-install windows?

 

I cannot say, hopefull is the best I'll offer but I'll continue to help you through.

OK,

Your hard drive took some severe damage, it is possible you'll have to replace it but even it you don't the data is perhaps irretrievable without specialist software/expertise (read expensive).

If we can recover your Product Key and a complete set of cabinet files (.CAB) a reinstallation will be relatively easy but you'll lose some or all data on the drive.

It's your decision.

 

Is it possible to try and retrieve the system as is without deleting anything? Can we try and find the product key and try restoring the system and see what exists? I would rather try that road if it's possible.

 

By typing del *.chk will that only check for deleted files without taking any action? If that's the case I'd be willing to try that. Let me know

 

OK, forget del *.chk for the moment, try

dir *.chk

tell me how many (if any files are found). The .chk files are what scandisk picked up earlier as problem files, to recover them may be possible but it won't be easy.

The errors you reported before (ie file creation error and cannot create directory entry) indicate that either your hard drive is read only (unlikely) or you're using FAT16 which has a limit on how many files/directories are possible in the root directory.

 

I tried what you recommended using dir *chk and it showed 336 files and 0 directories..if you're saying that the 336 files are rpoblem files it looks bleak I'd say. Let me know and thanks for dealing with this extended problem.

 

Ok, if you're not willing to delete them then try this

cd \
copy *.chk \windows

That'll move those 300'odd files to your windows directory. If they are copied without any errors then do this

del *.chk

That'll give us room in the root directory to create files etc and hopefully restore your system.

I'm going to be offline for a few hours but will check in again around 22:00 GMT