Windows 98 help please !!

alison74

I have given my friend my old computer today and managed to set it up ok.

It then stuck in My Documents, so I restarted the computer but it wont go past the first load up page.


It says

AUTO detecting Pri Master....... (not detected)

then

Auto detecting Pri Slave .........


It then says

Boot failure
Insert BOOT diskette in A:


I dont have a boot diskette and it will give me no other options.

I have tried restarting it, power on and off etc, but keep on getting stuck on this page.

Thank you in advance

criminal_smile

Sounds like possible HDD failure, although you could try opening the case and ensuring that all the IDE cables (flat grey ones) are pushed in tightly to the drives. They may have become dislodged when you were moving it.

alison74

Thank you, but what is HDD ??

The computer was working long enough for me to make a connection to the internet etc, then it just suddenly jammed, so I went to reset it and it has never worked since.

Tried tightening the cables etc, but still nothing other than my OP.

Can a HDD problem be fixed ? Or is it best to chuck the comp out the window as that is what I feel like doing !

I would agree that it might not be working because it has been moved, but it did load up once, then break.

Any other suggestions ??

Thanks in advance

Toxteth_OGrady

HDD = Hard disk drive

It contains the operating system, all your programs and data. it's either just packed up after your one boot up or as C_S said the connection cable has come loose (which is highly likely since you have moved the PC).

You have to open up your pc case to check it - one end of the cable connect to the HDD and the other to the motherboard.

It looks like this

:cool:

TOG

alison74

Thanks for the pic ! I have tried tightening it, but still not working and asking for the diskette & boot failure.

:mad:

I feel bad giving someone a computer that doesn't work !!

Toxteth_OGrady

Also check the power connector to the HDD. It looks like this

Before you give up on the PC get another IDE cable to check it. If that doesn't work you can get another HDD for under 20 quid.

:cool:

TOG

moneyuser

Have you tried detecting it in the BIOS? When you first switch the PC press the Del key a few times. You should get a blue screen pop up with some menu options. Need to find one that relates to the hard disk, should be something like "IDE Auto Configuration", you are also looking for something called "Primary Master" or "Auto Detect Hard Disk" should be able to press Enter on these and it will try to find your hard disk.

scheming_gypsy

shouldn't need as the bios is doing a drive auto detection before asking for the boot disk

alison74

Still not working and thats been about 5 hours now !!


Thank you all anyway

criminal_smile

Unfortunately it sounds like the drive has had it. Can you take the drive from another PC and try it in the machine. That will at least confirm the drive has fried. It may have been knocked when you were moving the comp, and if it still runs Win 98, then chances are it was quite old anyway.
Another of today's threads mentions HDD replacement, and they are quoting around £20 for an 80Gb drive. No OS with that of course, but a cheap solution to chucking the whole PC.