windows 98 booting problem

If you type "win" at the prompt, does Windows load? If so, you may need to edit your msdos.sys file.

To open the file:

Click Start , point to Find , and then click Files Or Folders .

In the Named box, type msdos.sys . In the Look In box, click your boot drive (usually drive C, or drive H if drive C is compressed). Click the Find Now button.

Right-click the Msdos.sys file, and then click Properties .

Click to clear the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to remove these attributes from the Msdos.sys file, and then click OK .

Right-click the Msdos.sys file, and then click Open With .

In the Choose the program you want to use box, click NotePad , and then click OK .

Look for a line that starts with BootGUI=. It probably says BootGUI=0. Change it to BootGUI=1. When you are done, save the file as a text document, and then quit NotePad.

Right-click the Msdos.sys file, and then click Properties .

Select the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to set the attributes for the file, and then click OK . Close the Find window.

Restart Windows.

Reference:

support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q118579

I can not get windows to boot att all besides the Windows logo. I can go to the c: prompt can I do the same thing through dos by typing "type Msdos.sys."I can not access notepad is there another way to access this file? I appreciate your prompt answer to my question.
Thanks
Jamie

Go to www.bootdisk.com and get a disc that will help you perform a fresh install.

I vote for dklippert's suggestion.

The best way to deal with any used and unknown PC is to fdisk the hard drive, delete all partitions, and start over with a fresh format and install.

If all you have is a restore CD, and not a Windows 98 CD, you may need to check with the PC mfg for the proper procedure to use the restore disk.

Chas

Agreed, a fresh install is the best/simplest solution unless you are comfortable with editing system files. Unless you can launch the GUI by typing win at the command prompt, you may have other corrupt files. In some cases, however, just a simple rerun of the installation procedure may suffice without fdisk and formatting.

If you don't want to perform a fresh install (this is the good way!) obtain a boot diskette from a fried with the same OS or download from www.bootdisk.com, change in BIOS the boot sequence to A,C,.., start computer from this diskette, in a:\ prompttype , reboot again computer from diskette, in a:\ prompt type sys c:
Maybe this procedure will correct your startup problems.
About first answer, use "edit" not "notepad".

Have you tried starting it in safe mode? If you can boot it and hold down any key, it should ask how you want to start, pick safe mode. If you can get it to boot in safe mode, then you can fix it from their. It is probably something in either your autoexec.bat file that is loading wrong or in a system file. You may have picked up a virus that changed some settings. If you can get it to safe mode in windows, I can probably help you from there. Email me at bitsybug20@hotmail.com if you needfurther help with it.

answering your question quickly try the boot disk floppy, that has default drivers for most all pc cdroms. start pc with cdrom support, run c:scandisk, this'll check you hard disk making sure that it is still in tack and you have an os there if after that you do have an os "operating System" it'll ask if you want to run a surface scan "yes", there you'll see if there is any hardware damage or software damage, if it's software damage the os will be repared "or attempted to be" if it is hardwaredamage you'll need a new hard drive, end results will be either of these,.. boot success then just re-install windows - seems possible,formating the hard drive, a complete restart, you'll need the os disk98, then it'll take you from there,or win98 disk and approx ?40-60 for a new hard drive. i hope this info is of any help!!

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