win 98 won't boot

woodtogo · 12-12-2006, 10:23 AM

I tried to install a program called rollback rx yesterday and during the process it asked me if it could change my master boot record. I clicked continue, now my system won't boot up. I guess I need to repair my master boot record what ever that is. Can i do this, because I can't access my pc now.
Help Please....Thank-You

Ray

Geekgirl · 12-12-2006, 10:42 AM

Boot to a 98 boot disk, at the command prompt type in scanreg /restore
You'll be given a choice of dates. Select one and click Restore.

woodtogo · 12-12-2006, 12:56 PM

Thank-You
Ok the message I am getting is
Drive C does not contain a valid FAT or FAT 32 partition.
It lists 3 reasons why and gives me the option of help.
When I try to type in your command of scanreg/restore
it prompts me that I have a bad command or file name.
Help Please.....

Ray

**kodi** · 12-12-2006, 01:00 PM

Put a space between scanreg and /restore

woodtogo · 12-12-2006, 01:24 PM

No matter what combination I use I still get the same message
Bad command or file name.

I tried
scanreg / restore
scanreg/ restore
scanreg /restore

Geekgirl · 12-12-2006, 04:07 PM

The hard drive may have died - or the connections are loose. Open the case and make sure the ribbon cable is secure at both ends and the power connector is secure. While you are in there, note the manufacturer of the drive.

Watch the POST screen and make sure that the drive is seen by BIOS. Set it to first boot device in BIOS and see what happens.

Find the manufacturer of your hard drive and run their Hard Drive Diagnostics Utility.

woodtogo · 12-12-2006, 05:11 PM

I think the hard drive is alive and well. It comes up on the boot up screen, and I have tried other commands with the boot up disk and they seem to work. For example fdisk seems to want to format my hd. I did check all the wires and the bios tells me that myhd is the first drive on my list or chain.....

woodtogo · 12-13-2006, 08:23 AM

I finally got that command scanreg /restore to work. It must not have been on my start up disk. I have been downloading a few from sites and just kept putting them in and trying them.
It tells me that there is no backup available. and scanreg /restore failed.
I am still trying all the methods you all have offered. If anyone has any other advice please advise.....

Thanks

Jlp1928 · 12-13-2006, 08:34 AM

Hi, The Master Boot Record can be restored from the StartUp disk by typing FDISK /MBR at the A:> prompt. While you are at it also type SYS C:. That will restore the System (Boot) files if missing or corrupted. May get you going.

Good Luck, Jim

woodtogo · 12-13-2006, 05:55 PM

FDISK /MBR using your command all that happens is that the drive letter drops down to the next line.

A:\>

this is what I get.

the second command
SYS C:
Tells me:

Invalid function

woodtogo · 12-14-2006, 05:40 AM

what would happen if I reinstalled my windows? would that fix the problem and keep all my info on my hard drive????

**kodi** · 12-14-2006, 11:48 AM

You can try a dirty install of win98 (install it over the copy on the hardrive) you should not loose any data but try to get a copy just in case

woodtogo · 12-14-2006, 06:21 PM

get a copy of what?

Geekgirl · 12-14-2006, 06:34 PM

Copy of your data/personal files......documents/pics/resumes

woodtogo · 12-15-2006, 06:28 AM

Well How can I do that when my pc won't boot up???
I wish I could then I would copy everything then format and reinstall clean.
I need instruction how to retreve my files etc.

Geekgirl · 12-15-2006, 08:16 AM

Take out the hard drive, slave it in another system and copy your info to the other drive. Then put the drive back in your system and then format the drive and reinstall.
The way I always performed a Repair Install in WIN98 was with the system booted, pop in the WIN98 cd and install. Unfortunately you cannot do this...

Jlp1928 · 12-15-2006, 09:43 AM

Hi Wood, If you get error code of Invalid Function then you are not booting from a Win 98 StartUp disk. The correct disk will ask you if you want to set up the CD as it starts.

Jim

woodtogo · 12-15-2006, 11:25 AM

Jim
I have 4 boot up disks here 3 I downloaded off the internet, and one I made when my system was up and working about 4years ago, and none act like you say......

woodtogo · 12-15-2006, 11:35 AM

geekgirl,
I have another old hd on this pc. it is a 4 gig hd, which i let set dormant when i installed my present 20 gig that I am having trouble with now.
It is running win98 fine. I have switched my ide cable and power cable to see if it would boot up and it does, only it does not contain all the files I have been using for the last 2 years on my 20 gig hd.

After reading your last post is there a way I can use the old 2 gig hd to reach over to the problem 20 gig hd and retrieve my files?

**kodi** · 12-15-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geekgirl

Take out the hard drive, slave it in another system and copy your info to the other drive. Then put the drive back in your system and then format the drive and reinstall.
The way I always performed a Repair Install in WIN98 was with the system booted, pop in the WIN98 cd and install. Unfortunately you cannot do this...

This is the best option, but if you can't do that try this method.
Boot to your BIOS and change the boot order to cd first then hardrive put your windows CD in and restart.
It should run setup from there

EDIT we posted at the same time did not see your last post,
Can you change the jumper to slave and put it on the middle connector or the IDE cable,plug in a spare power lead and it should work

12-12-2006, 10:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	win 98 won't boot I tried to install a program called rollback rx yesterday and during the process it asked me if it could change my master boot record. I clicked continue, now my system won't boot up. I guess I need to repair my master boot record what ever that is. Can i do this, because I can't access my pc now. Help Please....Thank-You Ray

12-12-2006, 10:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Boot to a 98 boot disk, at the command prompt type in scanreg /restore You'll be given a choice of dates. Select one and click Restore. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

12-12-2006, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,397 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Put a space between scanreg and /restore __________________ Brian

12-12-2006, 01:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	No matter what combination I use I still get the same message Bad command or file name. I tried scanreg / restore scanreg/ restore scanreg /restore Last edited by woodtogo; 12-12-2006 at 01:43 PM.

12-12-2006, 04:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	The hard drive may have died - or the connections are loose. Open the case and make sure the ribbon cable is secure at both ends and the power connector is secure. While you are in there, note the manufacturer of the drive. Watch the POST screen and make sure that the drive is seen by BIOS. Set it to first boot device in BIOS and see what happens. Find the manufacturer of your hard drive and run their Hard Drive Diagnostics Utility. __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

12-12-2006, 12:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	Thank-You Ok the message I am getting is Drive C does not contain a valid FAT or FAT 32 partition. It lists 3 reasons why and gives me the option of help. When I try to type in your command of scanreg/restore it prompts me that I have a bad command or file name. Help Please..... Ray

12-12-2006, 05:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	I think the hard drive is alive and well. It comes up on the boot up screen, and I have tried other commands with the boot up disk and they seem to work. For example fdisk seems to want to format my hd. I did check all the wires and the bios tells me that myhd is the first drive on my list or chain.....

12-13-2006, 08:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	I finally got that command scanreg /restore to work. It must not have been on my start up disk. I have been downloading a few from sites and just kept putting them in and trying them. It tells me that there is no backup available. and scanreg /restore failed. I am still trying all the methods you all have offered. If anyone has any other advice please advise..... Thanks

12-13-2006, 08:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi, The Master Boot Record can be restored from the StartUp disk by typing FDISK /MBR at the A:> prompt. While you are at it also type SYS C:. That will restore the System (Boot) files if missing or corrupted. May get you going. Good Luck, Jim

12-13-2006, 05:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	FDISK /MBR using your command all that happens is that the drive letter drops down to the next line. A:\> this is what I get. the second command SYS C: Tells me: Invalid function

12-14-2006, 05:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	what would happen if I reinstalled my windows? would that fix the problem and keep all my info on my hard drive????

12-14-2006, 11:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,397 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	You can try a dirty install of win98 (install it over the copy on the hardrive) you should not loose any data but try to get a copy just in case __________________ Brian

12-14-2006, 06:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	get a copy of what?

12-14-2006, 06:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Copy of your data/personal files......documents/pics/resumes __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

12-15-2006, 06:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	Well How can I do that when my pc won't boot up??? I wish I could then I would copy everything then format and reinstall clean. I need instruction how to retreve my files etc.

12-15-2006, 08:16 AM	#16 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Take out the hard drive, slave it in another system and copy your info to the other drive. Then put the drive back in your system and then format the drive and reinstall. The way I always performed a Repair Install in WIN98 was with the system booted, pop in the WIN98 cd and install. Unfortunately you cannot do this... __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

12-15-2006, 09:43 AM	#17 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi Wood, If you get error code of Invalid Function then you are not booting from a Win 98 StartUp disk. The correct disk will ask you if you want to set up the CD as it starts. Jim

12-15-2006, 11:25 AM	#18 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	Jim I have 4 boot up disks here 3 I downloaded off the internet, and one I made when my system was up and working about 4years ago, and none act like you say......

12-15-2006, 11:35 AM	#19 (permalink)
woodtogo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 37 OS: me	geekgirl, I have another old hd on this pc. it is a 4 gig hd, which i let set dormant when i installed my present 20 gig that I am having trouble with now. It is running win98 fine. I have switched my ide cable and power cable to see if it would boot up and it does, only it does not contain all the files I have been using for the last 2 years on my 20 gig hd. After reading your last post is there a way I can use the old 2 gig hd to reach over to the problem 20 gig hd and retrieve my files?