phantommullet

I have a pretty old junky computer that my dad wants to use for simple work related proccesses. My brother had last used it. He said he was going to put linux on it and mess with that. I assume that he did that and I beleive he said that he had formatted the HD. Now, when I try to boot, it says invalid system disk. For some reason, I can't boot from a windows 2000 CD, so I made a DOS boot disk so I could use Fdisk. When I try Fdisk, it says that there is no drive. When the computer starts and it is detecting all the components, I notice that it does say something about the drive (the name, model number, and that it is ata) which leads me to assume that it is being detected. What is going on?

Fujitsu MPE3136AT-AL 13.6 GB HD
I have no idea who made the motherboard, piece of junk doesn't have a name on it anywhere.
Pentium III

linderman

There is a possiblity that the drive was formatted as a "Dynamic Disk" which means fdisk can not be used on it. I would go to the manufacturers hard drive web site and download the correct hard drive diagnostic ulitlty / run that on the drive and you will then know where you are headed. until then its alot of guessing.



regards


joe

linderman

Yep / even a blind squirell gets a nut now and then!

review this link ? under CAUSE

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q261473/

I believe you can google for a free zero fill program that will get you back on the right track. might be one on www.bootdisk.com click on utilities on right hand side of page


regards


joe

linderman

OK Phantom:

Download the floppy version of this hard drive nuker and you will be in business / then you will be able to use fdisk after you have sucked all the brains out of that hard drive.

http://dban.sourceforge.net/


Let us know how you progress


regards


Joe

phantommullet

DBAN is running right now, everyone cross your fingers for me.
It was kidding when it says that the program is really sensitive to the quality of the media. The program wouldn't run the first time. I gave the disk a thourough formatting (not quick) and it is working now.

phantommullet

Ok, the program worked, I can now create a DOS partition from the boot disk that I have. I can't seem to remember how to actually install DOS though (it's been a long time). I seem to remember their being two or three disks for installation. If someone could link me to these disks, I would appreciate it. Also, why wont the comp boot from my Windows 2000 CD? I changed the boot order to CDROM, C, EXT. It always says that it is an invalid system disk.

linderman

Phantom:

youre showing your age my good man :) LOL

Install DOS / nobody does that anymore ! heheheeheh


download a win ME bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com

then format a floppy with the Win ME bootdisk.com the bootdisk will load all the drivers to make the Cd-rom "bootable"

Did you set your "boot" order in the bios / I bet not !!!!!

you will need it to be / A cd-rom hardrive in that ordfer


let us know how you progress



regards

joe

phantommullet

*shrug*, I just felt like messing with DOS abit. Like I said, it's been a long time since I used it.

phantommullet

Ok, figured out why the win 2k cd wouldn't boot . . . it's because i can't read. It's actually the sp 1 disk. Windows is formating my drive right now, looks like it's going to run smoothly from here . . . i hope. Thanks for the help.

phantommullet

Ok, I'm good. Thanks.

ebackhus

Good to hear that things worked out. Feel free to ask us if you have any questions.

linderman

Hey Phantom:

Glad to hear things are working out for ya !



regards


joe