Tuvi

ok, i'm really scared. i turned my computer on today, and freaked out. it doesn't seem to recognize any of my hardware. the hardware install wizard came up asking me to install drivers. i tried to do this by specifying any files that might have drivers in them (and some did), but the install wizard said it couldn't find any drivers to install whatever it was trying to install. and i dont have any on disk. so anyway, i ran norton antivirus, and it said i didn't have viruses (but my definitions haven't been updated since nov cuz my subscription ran out). i can access all my files and whatnot, but i can't get on the net (network card not detected) and everything is in 16 bit color. i clicked on add new hardware and it gave me a list of things that aren't installed.. it also doesn't detect my cd drives.

does anyone know why this would happen? i really dont think i have a virus cuz i haven't downloaded anything nor have i opened any attachments in my email. i am very distressed about this as i am quite dependent on my computer for normal life functioning. please help me!!!!

p.s. if i had to reformat, which i prob will, how do i extract the data from my hard drives using another computer without actually booting from that drive... i guess thats how i would do it.

__________________

qmanchu

My guess is that a part of your registry file was corrupted. The section that stores the information regarding your hardware was either deleted (not likely) or corrupted. The only way to determine what caused it would be to backtrack and find out what action or software might have changed recently.

If you have access to a second machine with internet access, you could download the latest drivers for your various hardware components, the first of which should probably be your network card and whatever device you use to connect to the internet. Once you have the driver, open up the Device Manager and double-click the device whose driver you want to update.

As to your reformat question, you would just configure the hard drive as a slave and attach it to the same cable on another computer. You might also have to configure the hard drive on the second machine as a master.

I know I skipped over a lot of details but if you need specific help, let us know.

Nanotech9

I think this will be one of the fastes ways to get up back up and running...

first off, you need to know the brand name / model of your Video card, and of your ethernet card.

Download some drivers for them if you can on another computer and put them on CD, or Floppy if they'll fit.

You mentioned your CD-ROM drive not even working, so this leads me to believe you have some major issues with the registry, and not just add-on card's drivers.

I will try to walk you throug a re-lod (over) your current windows version. Go get an original Windows CD (same version if possible) and have your CD-Key ready.

If your running Windows 98 this will be very easy.

when your computer is just starting to boot, hit F8 until you can select to start the computer in Ms-DOS mode. (either that or use a Win98 boot floppy.

Delete these files:

c:\command.com
c:\io.sys
c:\msdos.sys
c:\windows\win.com

you may not SEE theses files by running DIR, but they ARE there, and you need to delete them all.

Now, put your Windows98? CD in the cd-rom and reboot. You may need to go into the BIOS to tell the computer to BOOT OFF OF THE CD-ROM device. (It will have an option for 1st BOOT DEVICE = CD-ROM)

Now, your computer should boot of the CD-ROM, and you can install windows again, and it will re-detect al the proper basic drivers.

Then youll need to install your video drivers and your ethernet card drivers (and any chipset patches or whatever if you need them).

I think you know enough about computers for all this to make sense...

I'll try to call you later in the evening after work.

__________________

coleslaw

If you are using Windows ME or XP, you could try doing a System Restore.

__________________
A priest, a paladin and Varimathras walk into a bar...

Markel

I know that Windows 98 / ME keeps backups of the registry. You could try restoring the previous backup (from the MS Support site):

1. Start your computer, press and hold CTRL, and then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Windows 98 Startup menu. If you are running Windows Me, start your computer with the startup disk.


2. At the MS-DOS prompt, type cd\windows\command , and then press ENTER.

Where windows is the name of the folder in which Windows is installed.


3. At the C: prompt, type scanreg /restore , and then press ENTER.


4. Select the previous registry you want to restore, and then press ENTER.

NOTE : A properly working registry has the word "Started" next to the date.


5. When you receive notification that you restored a properly working registry, press ENTER to restart your computer.

__________________
stay low... keep moving...

Tuvi

thanks for all the help everyone.. its much appreciated. i am using ME so i think i'll try that last thing markel said. i dont have an ME cd, so that rules out a couple options.. but eventually i'm prob going to transfer my important data to my 2nd hard drive then reformat my primary hd.. so i'll be able to get XP. yay. harg. thanks again everyone!

i heart gotapex.