Scandisk won't fix files and directories ???

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
running on it at one time. It got a really bad
infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".

Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?

I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
all over again. Any help out there?

[Richard G. Harper]

Sounds like the hard drive may be getting ready to die on you. I'd check
the brand name and model number, then see if the drive manufacturer has a
diagnostic/test utility you can download and run on it. If nothing else
these utilities can usually "zero-out" the drive and erase everything on it,
that would allow you to run FDISK and proceed with installation if the drive
tests OK.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > wrote in message
...
> I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
> for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
> running on it at one time. It got a really bad
> infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
> I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
> original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
> try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
> because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
> symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
> brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".
>
> Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
> and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
> scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
> does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
> them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
> I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?
>
> I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
> wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
> again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
> the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
> all over again. Any help out there?
>

[harrieL]

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > schreef in bericht
...
> I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
> for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
> running on it at one time. It got a really bad
> infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
> I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
> original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
> try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
> because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
> symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
> brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".
>
> Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
> and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
> scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
> does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
> them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
> I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?
>
> I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
> wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
> again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
> the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
> all over again. Any help out there?
>

You could try in a dos-box ( or from a startup disc): label c: ABC
You end up with a 'normal' partition name, and now you can run fdisk.

Greetings Harrie

[philo]

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > wrote in message
...
> I'm trying to rig up a puter to give to a friend to use
> for e-mail. I have this old puter that I had Win 98
> running on it at one time. It got a really bad
> infection, and I ended up formatting the HD. Since then,
> I haven't been able to re-install The OS from the
> original factory installation disk. When I do fdisk, I
> try to delete the existing DOS partition; but I can't,
> because the volume label has a bunch of wierd looking
> symbols in it. I can't type these symbols in the
> brackets, when I am prompted to "enter the volume label".
>
> Next, I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
> and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
> scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
> does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
> them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
> I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?
>
> I don't know what else to do, since I can't delete that
> wierd volume label and re-partition before formatting
> again. When I type "setup" at the promt with 98 CD in
> the drive, it starts scandisk, and the whole cycle starts
> all over again. Any help out there?
>


use this
http://www.aefdisk.com/

aefdisk /delall

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Philo, I tried the aefdisk, but I get "Invalid system
disk". This happens every time I put in a floppy boot
disk, including Powermax (from Maxtor site for their
utilities and diagnostics). I even get "invalid system
disk" when I boot up to their Maxblast utility CD.

What's next?

[philo]

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > wrote in message
...
> Philo, I tried the aefdisk, but I get "Invalid system
> disk". This happens every time I put in a floppy boot
> disk, including Powermax (from Maxtor site for their
> utilities and diagnostics). I even get "invalid system
> disk" when I boot up to their Maxblast utility CD.
>
> What's next?
>

all you need to do is copy aefdisk to your boot floppy
be sure to set your bios to boot first from drive A:

[D.female]

>>> I tried to scandisk. There were hendreds of files
> and directories that I spent hours and hours "fixing" on
> scandisk by selecting "fix it". However, each time it
> does a re-scan, these files are still there (or more of
> them keep appearing). Could I have messed up the HD when
> I formatted it? Or, could the infection done this?
>

I had the same problem with my friends laptop Compaq Presario.

Don`t know what else to do. Nothing helps.

>-----Original Message-----

>all you need to do is copy aefdisk to your boot floppy
>be sure to set your bios to boot first from drive A:

Philo, I did exactly what you said, and I still
get "invalid system disk". It seems nothing works in the
floppy.

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Philo, I did exactly what you said, and I still
get "invalid system disk". It seems nothing works in the
floppy. I'll try the whole proceedure again tonight, and
let you know what happens.

[SFB - KB3MM]

Which disk are you booting from when you get that message ?

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > wrote in message
...
> Philo, I did exactly what you said, and I still
> get "invalid system disk". It seems nothing works in the
> floppy. I'll try the whole proceedure again tonight, and
> let you know what happens.
>
>

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

>-----Original Message-----
>Which disk are you booting from when you get that
message ?

I get the message: "invalid system disk" when I boot to
the floppy drive.

[SFB - KB3MM]

Sounds like not a bootable (system) floppy.

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > wrote in message
...
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Which disk are you booting from when you get that
> message ?
>
> I get the message: "invalid system disk" when I boot to
> the floppy drive.

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

>-----Original Message-----
>Sounds like not a bootable (system) floppy.

I don't understand it. I downloaded several
bootdisks,and utilities from different sites, including
Maxtor. I followed the instructions for copying them to
floppy. However, whenever I boot to A:\> , I get
the "invalid system disk".

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

Sounds like a bad floppy drive.
Here are some steps to take for troubleshooting floppy drive problems.
1. Check to see if drive is unchecked in Tweakui.
2. Check system to make sure it is free of a Virus or Spyware.
3. If installed, turn off Dr. Solomon anti virus program.
4. Restart the computer. Hold CTRL while the system is booting.
Pick Command prompt only and test the drive. Type DIR and press enter.
You should see the directory tree.
5. Restart your computer by holding down the ctrl key and use the
"boot menu" to enter a safe mode windows session. Then in Device
Manager, locate and delete floppy drives *and* the floppy disk controllers.
Restart to see if Win98 re-detects properly.
6. If using a tape backup unit, remove/disconnect to see if
floppy function returns; if so, hunt for new tape drivers.
7. If using Norton Utilities, upgrade to 3.07 (or later, if
available) and/or disable Disk Doctor against the floppy drive.
8. Start | Run | msconfig | Selective startup | Un-select all
entries | restart | turn on one startup item, in turn, with restarts
between | when floppy ceases to function, you know the problem
is in the last file activated, so search and edit as needed.
9. CMOS settings are incorrect: write down all settings, then
re-set to defaults, restart to CMOS, re-enter the written down settings.
10. CMOS settings are incorrect: if "Swap Floppies" is enabled,
disable it.
11. Ribbon cables are 180 degrees out, or otherwise
mis-aligned/tilted: to correct, properly position connectors and
tracer color wire always to pin number 1 at both ends.

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://dts-l.org/
How to Configure Outlook Express for Internet News:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=171164

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" wrote
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>Sounds like not a bootable (system) floppy.
>
> I don't understand it. I downloaded several
> bootdisks,and utilities from different sites, including
> Maxtor. I followed the instructions for copying them to
> floppy. However, whenever I boot to A:\> , I get
> the "invalid system disk".

[SFB - KB3MM]

Format a floppy and include the system files as part of the format and the
resulting floppy will be bootable.

Or Go to Control panel | Add Remove Programs | Staratup Disk.

You can then copy your application to the floppy.

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" > wrote in message
...
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Sounds like not a bootable (system) floppy.
>
> I don't understand it. I downloaded several
> bootdisks,and utilities from different sites, including
> Maxtor. I followed the instructions for copying them to
> floppy. However, whenever I boot to A:\> , I get
> the "invalid system disk".

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

OMG, you're not going to beleive this! I went through
all the wiring again, and found that the data cable was
flip-flopped. I turned it around, and was able to make
everything work. I must have done this when I was
scavanging pieces parts. Geeeeeeeeeez! What a waste of
time. Thanks, everyone, for all your help.

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

Yes I would believe it! So many time the most simple things are overlooked.
Glad to hear you have it fixed.

--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://dts-l.org/
How to Configure Outlook Express for Internet News:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=171164

"DRIFT-O-MATIC" wrote
> OMG, you're not going to beleive this! I went through
> all the wiring again, and found that the data cable was
> flip-flopped. I turned it around, and was able to make
> everything work. I must have done this when I was
> scavanging pieces parts. Geeeeeeeeeez! What a waste of
> time. Thanks, everyone, for all your help.
>

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

I finally got it to work! The data cable was turned the
wrong way. Geeeez, what a waste of time that was.
Thaks, everyone, for your help and patience.