[msssteach02]

For some odd reason I can not see my C:\ drive when I go to My computer. I can't acess the control panel or anything, what happened?

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What is the stuff you see there? Is there any thing that you don't recognise? I presume you are booting from C: Is it so?

[Bijli]

What is the stuff you see there? Is there any thing that you don't recognise? I presume you are booting from C: Is it so?

[msssteach02]

I can see some programs such as Internet Explorer which I can use, and Acrobat Reader. In my Programs menu evrything such as Microsoft Office has been erased, I think they are still on the drive but I can't access them from the Programs menu. My Documents is still visible but can't open it, My computer is still visible but again the C:\ drive is gone.

I am able to boot from the hard drive, I checked the BIOS and made it the first thing Windows XP should look for.

[wannabe1]

Hi msssteach02...Welcome to G2G!

Try going into the BIOS set up and make sure the drive is recognized there. It should be listed as Primary Master or IDE-0.

Can you access System Restore by clicking Start then pointing to All Programs then Accessories, then System Tools, and clicking System Restore? If you can, restore your computer to an earlier time before the problem began.

If you can't access System Restore that way, please post back and we'll try another way.

Wannabe1

[msssteach02]

I am unable to acess System Restore in the Program Menu. I get an error messge anytime I try to do anything. I says the system administrator needs to do that. I don't understand why that is happening.

[wannabe1]

msssteach02...

Does the "Run" function (click "Start" and Choose "Run") still work? If so, type %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe into the "Open" box and click "Ok".

wannabe1

[Tyger]

Uh oh, it sounds like a setting has changed and you need to log in as administrator to do just about anything on the system. If you can log in, do so and change the settings so that you as a user can access everything. Has anyone else messed with the machine?

[msssteach02]

Can't access the Run feature either.

[msssteach02]

No one has been on the computer but me, but I did take the computer to my work station and I think putting it online there may have messed with the laptop.

[wannabe1]

Ok....I like a challenge....

What kind of computer is this...make and model? Do you have the installation cd handy?

wannabe1

[msssteach02]

Gateway 450SX4.

No I do not have the installation disk, the laptop is second hand.

[wannabe1]

Let's try resetting the BIOS defaults. Go into the BIOs Setup. On a Gateway notebook, I think you have to press F2 as the machine is booting...it should say which key it is on the bottom of the first splash screen.

Once in Bios, look for a setting to "reset default settings" or similar. Save the settings and exit BIOS. Reboot.

Let me know if this helps...

wannabe1

[msssteach02]

No dice. Still missing C:\ drive.

[wannabe1]

Can you boot this machine into Safe Mode with Command Prompt? If you can get to the command prompt, try this:

If the prompt is C:\, type Windows\system32\chkdsk /f (Note the space before /f) and press "Enter"...type Y to let it run on restart, and reboot your machine.

If the prompt is C:\WINDOWS, type system32\chkdsk /f (Note the space before /f) and press "Enter"...type Y to let it run on restart, and reboot your machine.

In either case, the command string should end up being C:\Windows\system32\chkdsk /f

wannabe1

[wannabe1]

Chkdsk will take a while if you can get it to run...up to an hour in some cases. Be patient and don't interupt this operation.

wannabe1