Re: Computer trouble [was Re: [APML] heads up for memory]

["Ulrich Beinert" <analemma@gmx.de>]

Hi Gene,

thanks for the tips! Actually, after sending that message, I tried much of
what you suggested, and actually, just a bit of patience was enough to make
ScanDisk run, *but* then some "registry saving" program started, said my
"system.dat" was broken and it fixed it (did this twice), but unfortunately,
the computer completely stopped when trying to enter Windows (in safe mode -
normal mode didn't work at all, trouble trying to initialize something).

My attempts in DOS weren't very successful either, but confirmed that there
are still things left on my hard disk. I had already tried a boot disk (I
have my own), but that only gave me a "Disk I/O error". The F8 procedure
happens before ScanDisk, so I was able to use that to get to the command
prompt. Unfortunately, when I try to get the computer to display the
contents of a folder, it crashes every time. When working with Windows, I
used the "directcc" (direct cable connection) to transfer data via parallel
cable from the desktop PC to the laptop. Isn't there a similar program in
DOS so I can copy my data from the dying hard disk to my laptop HD?

Ulrich

P.S. Thanks for the suggestion regarding the purchase of a HD. That was my
line of thinking anyway, especially as I need something fast and dependable
for video editing....

>Well, since it appears you are running Windows other than NT remember that
>you actually have DOS operating system.  All you need to do is get make
>a bootable floppy from someone who has the same version of Windows that
>you do, and boot off of the floppy.  This will allow you to look at the
>HD through DOS.
>
>You could also try the [F8] procedure to stop Windows from starting up
>after the system is running, but I don't remember off of the top of my
>head if this happens before or after the Scandisk call.
>
>If it is a Windows problem you'll just need to reinstall Windows.  If you
>have a HD going bad you still may be able to retrieve most of the data
>by installing a new HD and copying the files over from DOS.  Remember,
>though, when you remove the old drive you'll have to set the new drive's
>"C" partition as [Active] in order for it to be the boot drive.
>
>When purchasing a HD do _not_ buy the cheapest drive available.  The low
>end units aimed at the consumer market are basically a commodity and as
>you have found out have a very short lifespan.  Not good for a critical
>system.  Something to think about is to upgrade to SCSI.  Since they are
>more expensive anyway they haven't fallen to the poor quality that the
>average IDE drive has reached as they are generally purchased more by
>people who need a dependable system and so are less price sensitive.  I've
>had very good experience with Compaq drives (although they are _very_
>expensive) and pretty good experience with IBM.
>
>Gene Horr
>genehorr@texas.net
>
>--  APML Archives at <http://astro.umsystem.edu/apml/>  ---
>             Unsubscribe at <majordomo@seds.org>
>


--  APML Archives at <http://astro.umsystem.edu/apml/>  ---
             Unsubscribe at <majordomo@seds.org>