god please help

ok i really hope you can help on this but, i'm not going to make it easy.
while having a party one of my friends started using my pc, within 5 mins windows 98 was completly unacessible. i tried loading in safe mode but to no avail. so i thourght to make things simple i'll just reformat. so i typed in fdisk at the a: command prompt to be told theres no fixed disk, i used my boot up disk which i can access. and it gives me 3 answers to what they may be.. 1 there is no fat32 partition... 2 to disable some programs if i use them... and 3 could be a virus i've used scandsk and that says theres no problem. so i tried format.com, that won't work as there is not enough memory. the only o/s that this pc has had is windows 98. all i wanna do is start again with it but i'm stuck. i havn't got a anti-virus disk as i was using avg and i didn't back up cus i'm stupid. on top of all this i havn't got a spare pc so my boss is letting me use his work pc to send this,and any information you request will take aroud 2O hours to aquire. i don't know whether to buy a new hard drive or what. i'm sorry about the awkwardness of this plee but would be very grateful for some help... i don't care about the files on my pc as i can always find them again someday

 

there is a previous thread i posted which has all the details of my pc on make and model etc, if this will help any.

 

ok basically he says that all he did was access some music through my windows media player, and that when the dos screen "suddenly" appeared he pressed enter a few times cuz it usually sorts itself out, he can't remember what was on screen as this happened about a month ago.. this is the first time i've had access to a pc since then.. i'm sorry i can't be more specific

 

the only antivirus software i was using was grisoft avg free addition, i was told it was relevently ok.

 

i can't access windows in any mode. i can get into bios, there doesn't seem to be much use in there. i can open files in my boot disk, by typing help and then going into file and open, i've tried format.com, fdisk, and most of the others but nothing. the only thing taht seems to work is scandisk

 

Just go into the Bios and set it so it boots from CD Rom.

Windows 98 (SE?) CD's are bootable like XP, so you shouldn't need to use floppy's.

Once you have done that, insert the CD and reboot and delete any existing partions, then create a Primary Partion and format and install.

 

I don't, it's not my PC.

 

Yes I know, hence the smilie. And no need to call me names.

I wouldn't intentionally destroy someones setup. (with the possible exception of a couple of members here)

 

oh ok, when i get home i'll write down exactly what happens, see if thats any good, thanks very much for taking the time though.

 

ok i sent the last message with out seeing new comments, i'm not 100% but i think its just windows 98

 

I have never done this that way.

I typically copy the entire win98\*.* directory (from the cd (via a win98 boot disk)), to c:\windows\options\cabs

Then run setup from there. Making sure that windows and NOT windows.000 is where the OS will be located.

Also, though, I've been known to be wrong. Win98 does not offer formatting or creating partitions, which requires a program called fdisk, then format.

 

Right-click My Computer, then Properties for Windows version.

You can try to use the CD as I earlier instruction even if it is only 98.

Worst that can happen is that it won't boot to CD because it's not bootable. No big deal.

 

Not true, and I was talking SE.

When you create a startup floppy, why do you think it asks you to insert the Windows CD?

So it can copy the files from there, which contain fdisk etc.


I have installed 98SE on dozens of PC's using this method.

Windows CD's have been bootable for quite a while, but it only became "trendy" with the release of XP.

 

as i said, i don't care about losing anything, i've got my drivers on disc and most of what i had was music and vids which i can replace, isn't there a fail safe way of just wiping everything and starting again. i feel like a nuisence now and i apolygise... its just stressing me

 

You don't need to apologise, it's confusing when everyone is trying to help, and I type at a million miles an hour.

Just try it with the CD, it's the easiest way if it works.

If not, you have lost nothing, all you have done is changed the boot order in the Bios, which can easily be reset.

 

Hi, hope this helps a little.

First, check to see if your BIOS is reporting that you have a hard-drive. If it does it may be lying, if it doesn't recognize an HD then either #1. Your HD is toasted or #2. The cables have wiggled themselves loose from either the HD or the MB.

If you can, borrow or buy a new/used HD and /or try replacing the data ribbon cable.

Make sure all your connections are good from the MB to the HD and all other drives in the computer.

 

i checked the wires which are all good and i'm not sure what to look for in the bios, i'm not sure if theres more than one bios screen, i only know about the press del at set up one. i am guessing that my pc has a virus and it is causing some kind of problem registering the h/d. i think the best bet would be to buy a new hard drive. (so look out for a h/w thread about compatibilty questions thank you for your help though it is most appreciated.

 

Hi Nasty, your BIOS can contain many screens. Some BIOS's have tabs across the top of the screen. Others have buttons where a cursor may be placed upon it and clicked. Some are opened by using your left, right, up or down arrow keys and then the appropriate catagory is highlited. Press "Enter" to open that screen. Do a little playing to familiarize yourself with the different screens. Usually at the bottom of the entire screen/window are the "F" key commands for navigating around and exiting from the BIOS. The "F" keys are located above the number keys near the top row on your keyboard.

Keep plugging away at it.