Storage

Ask something
Question Locked

Computer Dinosaur

0 helpful
9 replies

by a former member

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Can someone please help a computer illiterate?

I HAVE A REPAIR CD, FOR AN ANTIQUE JAGUAR, WHICH WILL ONLY READ ON WINDOWS 98

I HAD AN OLD HP COMPUTER, WITH WINDOWS 98 - BUT IT'S FINISHED

MY FAIRLY RECENT COMPUTER, OPERATING ON
WINDOWS XP REFUSES TO READ DISC

HAVE ASKED MANY "EXPERTS", BUT NO LUCK

Ron Girardau

9 replies

by Former member

Clarifications

by older mycroft

Your post consists of three or four instances of what has happened, but no question yet.

So what, or which one, do you want to know about?

And what would that question be? ;)

by Former member

CD made by Jaguar, apparently can only be
read using Windows 98. This system is
obsolete. Would like a suggestion how this
CD could be read on Windows XP
Thanks
Ron Girardau

by older mycroft

You see, the less information you give us, the less we can guess as to what you mean. ;)

Assuming this repair CD is old, perhaps it was pressed before Windows XP existed, so the legend on the disc will say [u]Windows 98[/u]. This doesn't mean it can ONLY be read by Windows 98.

Is the XP optical drive capable of reading other discs?
Have you examined the Data side of the CD for evidence of scratches, smudges, or any muck stuck on it?

What is the error message you get when you try to read from it?

As an aside, have you tried contacting any of the online sites specialising in restoring these old grumblers? :)

by thechas

My first question would be what is the file format on the CD?

Is it some sort of file, or an application that runs and displays the manual pages?

Have you tried running in compatibility mode?

Is this perhaps a CD-RW disk that uses a different format than what is on your XP system?

Unfortunately, I would need to see the disk run on a W98 system to answer most of these questions.

If you find a W98 system that this disk can run on, you can query the properties to find out about the file format.

Any other information you can provide such as the publisher of the manual would help us track down the problem.

Chas

by Former member

You are correct, the disc was made by Jaguar
Motors, pre- XP era.
I previously contacted several of the Jaguar
specialist in U.K, and USA, who have made
several suggestions in "opening" this disc,
unfortunately non of their suggestions
worked.
Been in touch with Microsoft, who didn't
even have the manners to reply, probably
doesn't fit in to their zoom-zoom world.
Tried to "open and read" with various
versions of Vista - no luck.
Had hoped that someone with real computer
knowledge might be able to help.
Can always resort to Gothenburg Bible times
and buy a printed Workshop Manual.
SO MUCH FOR THE 21ST CENTURY - THANKS FOR
LISTENING.
Ron Girardau

by oh smeg

This is a Service Manual for Jaguar and was made prior to 98.

The problem will be in the type of File Format that the Data is saved in. Ideally you should be able to insert into a Optical Drive and right Click on that Drive in My Computer and look at the File Extensions.

You'll need an application that can read those File Extensions whatever they are.

XP or even Vista should be able to actually read the Disc but there may not be any programs present that can display what these documents actually are loaded onto the Vista System.

Open the Drive and look at the File Extensions post back with them and we'll see what we can come up with that you can use to read these Files.

Col

by older mycroft

Which was why I mentioned trying online sites. Here's one of the ones I meant:

http://www.motorbooks.co.uk/showsect.asp?id=765

For further sites, Google for [b]cd, jaguar motors; service manual[/b] :)

As for resorting backwards, you might have more success with the times of [i]Johannes [u]Gutenberg[/u] (1400?-1468)[/i]

[b]Gothenburg[/b] is a city in Sweden ~ Johannes Gutenberg was born in Mainz, Germany.

As the old saying goes - "It's all in the detail." Even in the 21st Century. ;)

by older mycroft

[i]One of your fellow TechRepublic members has sent you a private message:

From: rsgirardau@...
Subject: RECENT RESPONSE
Message:
Thank you for pointing out my historical errors, probably as a result of living too long in the Colonies.

Your suggestion of obtaining an updated disc is rather obvious, however after trying to locate one for three years, including the U.K., with some confidence I say - it doesn't exist.

Of course, as I previously indicated, I can resort to buying a printed manual.

When TechRepublic appeared on my browser, I had hoped that some bright computer person may have been able to help.[/i]

Well, what can I possibly say? I'm sorry that I (we ?) didn't live up to your high expectations but you really didn't give us much to go on .

As for you not being able to act on my [i]rather obvious[/i] suggestion of procuring an up-to-date readable replacement disc, I'm at a loss how to help you any further because [b]YOU NEVER MENTIONED THE SODDING MODEL OF JAGUAR!! [/b] ;)

This discussion is closed to new replies.