[George McCutcheon]

I recently made a large mistake. Having some trouble installing win 98 SE into an older computer I decided to clean-up the Hard drive. OOPS I typed the DOS format command incorrectly and failed to save the required system files. Now I have a computer that will not function. I cannot get it to read a floopy disk or a CD. HELP . I certainly would appreciate knowledgeable help with this one. Is there any way to retrieve the lost files short of Magic.

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What do you mean typed the format command wrong?
If you did this nothing would have happened?
Peterm

[peterm]

What do you mean typed the format command wrong?
If you did this nothing would have happened?
Peterm

[George McCutcheon]

I typed format c: (enter) and forgot to add the space plus /S

The format completed and in so doing wiped out the bios systen files. I assume from the C drive and form the programable chip on the main board. I'm hopeing for an easy fix.

[peterm]

oopsy
The good part it did not wipe your BIOS
OK when you start the computer it will have a message something like
to enter setup hit del or f1 or A & D
what does yours say?
the bad part is you have lost everything else - but your system is not dead just NEW

[George McCutcheon]

It says -- Delete to enter Set UP

Hope you can help!

PS. I have gone thru the setup procedure as listed in the motherboard manual.

[peterm]

ok go in and set your bios to boot from cd 1st then hit f10 to save.
put your 98 disc in the drive and it should boot.
If you can't find this option let me know
Cheers
peterm

[George McCutcheon]

OK, I went to the BIOS set up screen, Set it to boot from CD ROM first, C Second
then hit F10. Nothing happens. At that point I follow the BIOC set up screen layout AND ENTER Esc. That takes me to the following screen that allows me to Save the selection. At that point the CD Door closes, the lights blink several times and all goes quiet. the screen displays: Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM:failure.

Silence

Its after 3.00 AM

Good evening and thanks. Hope you have more to work with.
I have been looking for a new BIOS chip. It would be simpler to find a software treatment or ????

[peterm]

Ok do you have a 98 3.5" Boot disc?

[peterm]

Did you put the cd in the drive? - sorry about the delay
Its the time difference

[George McCutcheon]

I have a 98 startup disc. Nothing labled Boot Disc.

The problem remains unchanged. The disc does not spin so it cannot be read.

[peterm]

ok put the 3.5" startup disc in drive then reboot this should load
basic drivers for the cd