Norton Ghost Problem

jak1936 · 08-24-2004, 08:21 PM

I am trying to install only the Norton Ghost from the Norton System Works CD. The installation procedure completes without a hitch but after I cannot restart Windows. The following error message appears: "cannot find WIN.COM, unable to continue loading windows." The only way I can restart is go into safemode and uninstall the Norton Ghost. I have extracted a new win.com file from the C:\windows\options\cabs and replaced the old one but it did not solve the problem. I have also tried to install the complete Norton System Works with the same result. After installing Ghost I did a step by step confirmation startup in DOS. Here are the the final entries where the problem starts:

1\GRISOFT\AVG6;C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON SYSTEMWORKS\NORTON GHOST\;C:WINDOWS\COMMAND [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y
Too many parameters
mode con codepage prepare={ {850} c:\windows\command\ega.cpi} [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y
Bad command or file name
mode con codepage select=850 [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y
Bad command or file name
CALL C:\CPQS\TOOLS\WINPATH.BAT [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y
Bad command or file name
WIN [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y
Cannot find WIN.COM,unable to continue loading windows

C:\

pip22 · 09-13-2004, 06:49 AM

Could be your PATH statement has been wiped out, which tells the system where to find commands and program files (such as win.com) during boot-up.

Assuming WIN.COM resides in C:\Windows, do this:

Boot into DOS and use the DOS EDITOR to open AUTOEXEC.BAT

If you see a line begginning PATH= put a semi-colon (;) at the end of the line
and add "C:\Windows" (without quotes)

Now exit, save changes and reboot (check no floppy in drive).

If there is no PATH in Autoexec.bat, just create a new one, making sure it appears
in the batch BEFORE Win.com is called. Near or at the top is a good idea, just use the ENTER key to make a space for the new line which should read:

PATH=C:\WINDOWS

Save and Exit - Reboot.

Carol Greene · 09-13-2004, 02:20 PM

You might also try going to START-->run: then type in msconfig. You can go to the startup TAB and turn off all Ghost items. You don't really need Ghost in the startup. If this works then you can leave them unchecked for ever.
I do think pip22 has a very good point about the path name for your windows command file win.com .
Good luck!

08-24-2004, 08:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
jak1936 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4 OS: Win98SE	Norton Ghost Problem I am trying to install only the Norton Ghost from the Norton System Works CD. The installation procedure completes without a hitch but after I cannot restart Windows. The following error message appears: "cannot find WIN.COM, unable to continue loading windows." The only way I can restart is go into safemode and uninstall the Norton Ghost. I have extracted a new win.com file from the C:\windows\options\cabs and replaced the old one but it did not solve the problem. I have also tried to install the complete Norton System Works with the same result. After installing Ghost I did a step by step confirmation startup in DOS. Here are the the final entries where the problem starts: 1\GRISOFT\AVG6;C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON SYSTEMWORKS\NORTON GHOST\;C:WINDOWS\COMMAND [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y Too many parameters mode con codepage prepare={ {850} c:\windows\command\ega.cpi} [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y Bad command or file name mode con codepage select=850 [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y Bad command or file name CALL C:\CPQS\TOOLS\WINPATH.BAT [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y Bad command or file name WIN [Enter=Y,Esc=N]?Y Cannot find WIN.COM,unable to continue loading windows C:\

09-13-2004, 02:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
Carol Greene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 82 OS: Win98	MSConfig You might also try going to START-->run: then type in msconfig. You can go to the startup TAB and turn off all Ghost items. You don't really need Ghost in the startup. If this works then you can leave them unchecked for ever. I do think pip22 has a very good point about the path name for your windows command file win.com . Good luck! Last edited by Carol Greene; 09-13-2004 at 02:22 PM.

09-13-2004, 06:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
pip22 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 82 OS: XP	Could be your PATH statement has been wiped out, which tells the system where to find commands and program files (such as win.com) during boot-up. Assuming WIN.COM resides in C:\Windows, do this: Boot into DOS and use the DOS EDITOR to open AUTOEXEC.BAT If you see a line begginning PATH= put a semi-colon (;) at the end of the line and add "C:\Windows" (without quotes) Now exit, save changes and reboot (check no floppy in drive). If there is no PATH in Autoexec.bat, just create a new one, making sure it appears in the batch BEFORE Win.com is called. Near or at the top is a good idea, just use the ENTER key to make a space for the new line which should read: PATH=C:\WINDOWS Save and Exit - Reboot.