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Reformatting hard drive

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by Geezer72+, 2003/08/12.

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  1. 2003/08/12
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    I guess it must be another senior moment, but I can't recall how to proceed with reformatting the hard drive with a fresh copy of Win 98 SE. I can not even get into safe mode. It starts but wont load. So, I put the Windows CD Rom in the machine and boot. After the logo, press F8 and select boot from CD. Then select boot with aid. I end up with the A drive showing and now for the fife of ,me don't remember what to type to make it start reformatting.Geez!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:
     
    Geezer72+,
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  2. 2003/08/12
    Bmoore1129

    Bmoore1129 Geek Member

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    format c:
     
    Bmoore1129,
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  4. 2003/08/12
    FireDancer Lifetime Subscription

    FireDancer Inactive

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    Hi

    insert your boot disk and reboot. select without cd rom support

    Then at A:\ prompt type Fdisk and Enter

    follow all the instructions to for partitioning

    and then reboot again.

    Once booted up select with out cd rom support

    at A:\ type format C:

    once format is done and you have named your drive (if you want to) or you can name later.

    Reboot again, once booted up this time select with cd rom support.

    you should now be ready to install fresh copy of windows

    Regards,
    FireDancer ;)
     
    FireDancer,
    #3
  5. 2003/08/12
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    I have done all this
    insert your boot disk and reboot. select without cd rom support
    Then at A:\ prompt type Fdisk and Enter
    follow all the instructions to for partitioning
    and then reboot again.
    Once booted up select with out cd rom support
    at A:\ type format C:
    At A:\> When I type in format C I get-- bad command or file name
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/12
    Geezer72+,
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  6. 2003/08/12
    FireDancer Lifetime Subscription

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    hi

    type

    format C:

    FireDancer ;)
     
    FireDancer,
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  7. 2003/08/12
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    I still get bad command or file name. I even tried Scanreg restore or scanreg fix.. Zip
     
    Last edited: 2003/08/12
    Geezer72+,
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  8. 2003/08/12
    James Martin

    James Martin Geek Member

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    Be sure to leave a space between "format" & "C: "
    Make sure you don't accidentally type a space after "C: "

    J. M.
     
    James Martin,
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  9. 2003/08/12
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

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    If you are using a Win98 Startup disk.

    You boot directly to it from a power off state.

    With or without CDROM support makes no difference at this point.

    Now at the A:\ prompt you type FORMAT C: and you get bad command or filename your boot disk may either not be created correctly or is it not working correctly. Floppys do go bad.

    If the boot disk is working properly Format should be in the RAM drive and be accessable.

    Have you tried another startup disk ?

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
    #8
  10. 2003/08/13
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    Put your boot disk in a working computer and look at its contents. It has to have the "format.com" file on there in order for the command "format C:" to work.

    I downloaded a 98 bootdisk from bootdisk.com only to discover they hadn't included the format.com file. You can add that file to the boot disk by copying it from any Windows computer.
     
    Miz,
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  11. 2003/08/13
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    Billy Bob,
    So far no luck. Basically this was instigated by the fact that my old Windows 98 Machine would open to the wall paper and the start up box . Pressing enter it tries to open windows and stops.It does the same thing in safe mode. Something must be corrupted in the start up program. One thing I have noticed is that when I do try to start Windows in the lower bottom left on the screen a very momentary little box appears. It says EXPLORER with an X in the end. I can't catch it long enough to click on it. This particular machine has Go Back on it which I previously disabled, but not uninstalled. I am curious about this apportion.
    All my other computers have XP home edition on them.
     
    Geezer72+,
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  12. 2003/08/13
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

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    We are getting something crossed up here somewhere.

    You say Windows will not start ( only to a point ) in anyway. OK. That is the #1 problem you are trying to fix. But for now lets leave Windows out of things as at this point it should not be ( and we do not want it ) in the picture at all.

    #2 problem is that the startup disk does not appear to be working properly.

    We do not want the machine going to the Hard Drive first.

    Ist thing to check now is the BIOS and make sure it is set to a boot sequence of A: C:. If not that way make it that way and leave the startup disk in the A: drive and restart the machine.

    Now if the startup disk boots the machine and you still do not have FORMAT then the Startup disk is not good.

    Whether it was not made properly or it has just plain gone bad I can't say. I myself have three and only one of them worked the other day.

    A Startup disk made during the install of 98 or from the control panel later should have all you need ( and more ) on it.

    BillyBob
     
    BillyBob,
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  13. 2003/08/13
    BillyBob Lifetime Subscription

    BillyBob Inactive

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    As an afterthought. Or another wild idea. ( your choice )

    Geezer72+

    Does the possibility exist that you have ( or had ) an Overlay installed on that HD ?

    I mean a program that allows the BIOS to see a HD larger than what I normally would.

    If so then that requires knowledge which I have forgotten how to use it. If it does have an overlay it must go to the HD first. I THINK .

    BB
     
    BillyBob,
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  14. 2003/08/13
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    BillyBob
    Firstly- I checked out a different start up disc and it appears to have more information on it that the predicessor.
    Seccondly-Yes, I reinstalled windows on top of its self several times. If that changed anthing I do not know.
    Thirdly- How in the world do I change the bios to open differently?
    Fourth. I wish my Grandson was here and not in the state of Delaware. <Sigh>
     
    Geezer72+,
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  15. 2003/08/14
    FireDancer Lifetime Subscription

    FireDancer Inactive

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    Geezer,

    What type of cpu do you have? Compaq, HP, Gateway..ect or was it built specific for you by a shop. I think all this is getting you confused in as much as these guys that are responding
    know alot about what there doing, I can garuntee you
    there puters are built for them or they did there building there selfs, like my self.

    If you have a Compaq or a HP or Gateway ect..ect most of those systems are propritary and come with restore/recovery CD's
    and to reformat and re install windows would just take putting the CD in and re booting and the CD would install all files needed and windows. Do you have a restore/recovery disk? what kind of computer is it? can you give a few specs?

    As far as reinstalling windows over the top of a previous install well... one time in my book is one time to many as you might have corrupt files the are not compleatly removed..ect
    and could cause problems with the new overlay.

    If you could answer those few questions amybe we can get ya going :)

    Very Best Regards,
    FireDancer
     
    FireDancer,
    #14
  16. 2003/08/14
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    At A:>\ prompt type: dir
    and post here what files you have there.
     
    broni,
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  17. 2003/08/14
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    FireDancer
    You hit it. I am using the Compaq factory restore disc and it is loading now. Thanks:) :)
     
    Geezer72+,
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  18. 2003/08/14
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    FireDancer
    You were right on the money. I put the Compaq factory disc in and it is loading now. Many thanks to all.This old man appreciates all the great help even with all my "senior moments" Geez!!:)
     
    Geezer72+,
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  19. 2003/08/15
    FireDancer Lifetime Subscription

    FireDancer Inactive

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    Geezer!!!

    Glad to help :) happy surfing good luck!!

    Regards,
    FireDancer
     
    FireDancer,
    #18
  20. 2003/08/15
    Geezer72+

    Geezer72+ Inactive Thread Starter

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    FireDancer and All
    Thanks a lot. After a lot of backing and filling I used the Compaq start up disc, but then had to install Windows second addition to get the features I needed.Now allI must do is contact the cable company and have them walk mt through setting it up for the cable modem. I already have it on my network. Once again, Thanks:) :) :)
     
    Geezer72+,
    #19
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