have recently purchased a new old laptop. I got a 6 GB hard drive in it. It originally had no OS in it. I put in a Windows 98 boot disk and put in command.com and scandisk log files in. Then I decided I didn't want 98 on it. I erased the files. I put in a Windows 95 boot disk and it still boots to 98 even though there are no files on the hard drive. It says "Type in command interpreter". I type something in but the message comes up again no matter what I type in. It won't let me do anything. I've typed in several commands but none work. How can I format my hard drive if I can't access it?
2006-12-21 16:26:25 · 4 answers · asked by Sean S 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
I suspect your BIOS is configured to boot from the hard drive first- so you'll have to go into hardware setup and make the floppy a higher priority boot device. Currently you've erased the normal files, but the hidden boot sector files are still around.
You may be able to get past this error by typing a:\command.com when it asks you for a command interpreter, but reset the boot order to avoid surprises later on. Just make sure to copy fdisk and format to your boot disk, you'll need those.
2006-12-21 16:47:34 · answer #1 · answered by Proto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. at command prompt type fdisk\mbr. Clear the master boot record. Try an XP CD, it will automatically detect your drive. If you still insist on 98, then install legacy CD driver files through a floppy. Then windows cd on drive, do a format and install. shld work for u.
2. If you have another drive, disconnect the current one, make it your slave in another computer. Transfer all installable files. Then connect back to laptop and boot. From command prompt select system files to install and go ahead.
2006-12-22 01:14:11 · answer #2 · answered by HurryHarry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems.
Some drive problems can be easily fixed by yourself using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful. Try this site, if you can get what is required
2006-12-22 19:22:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your laptop came with preinstalled win98 then it is not compatable with 95.
Else you need to use kill disk.
http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm
then try to install the windows.
Let me warn if your hard drive has some bas sector then it may completely fail. please make a note of it.
2006-12-22 00:49:43 · answer #4 · answered by vinay r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋