Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a Restore CD
and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing with their
"techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no luck.
The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity, and no
progress on screen.

The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with the
Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all partitions,
reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.

Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as about
20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the Restore
program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive! ScanDisk
doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.

All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?
Ed

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:uCvTviihFHA.2472@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...

> The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
> unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with the
> Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all partitions,
> reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
>
> Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as about
> 20GB.

If you set the DOS Primary C: to size 30 Gb, this indicates
serious damage to the hard drive. If you made the C: drive
20 Gb and did not create an Extended drive with the rest
of the space, you can still do so with FDISK.

> I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the Restore
> program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive! ScanDisk
> doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
>
> All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?

If you have FORMATted C: and have no instal CD you
are out of luck. Rather than buy a new hard drive and
an instal CD you might as well consiider buying another PC.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

From: "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com>

| My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a Restore CD
| and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing with their
| "techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no luck.
| The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
| partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity, and no
| progress on screen.
|
| The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
| unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with the
| Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all partitions,
| reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
|
| Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as about
| 20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the Restore
| program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive! ScanDisk
| doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
|
| All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?
| Ed
|

Go to the hard disk manufacturer's web site and download their diagnostic software
respective to your hard disk. After the test, you will know if the hard disk is bad or
not..

Quantum/Maxtor - PowerMax
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/d [...] wermax.htm

Western Digital - Data LifeGuard Tools (DLGDiag)
http://support.wdc.com/download/

Hitachi/IBM - Drive Fitness Test (DFT)
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

Seagate - SeaTools
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/

Fujitsu - Diagnostic Tool
http://www.fcpa.com/download/hard-drives/

Samsung - Disk manager
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Ha [...] shdiag.htm


--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Don:
> If you set the DOS Primary C: to size 30 Gb, this indicates
> serious damage to the hard drive. If you made the C: drive
> 20 Gb and did not create an Extended drive with the rest
> of the space, you can still do so with FDISK.

I didn't specify the size of the partition. I just told it to use all
available space - or something like that. I'm swimming in very deep waters
without my floaties here! If you have any more specific tips on how to
FDisk, Format, or whatever else to return this drive to out-of-the-box
condition, I'd appreciate it.

> If you have FORMATted C: and have no instal CD you
> are out of luck. Rather than buy a new hard drive and
> an instal CD you might as well consiider buying another PC.

Yeah - a new Dell is only $300. And with XP, I can set permissions and lock
my kids out of anything except their games and NotePad!

Ed

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Thanks, David. I'll let you know what happens.
Ed

"David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in message
news:%23rIXL3ihFHA.2424@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> From: "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com>
>
> | My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a Restore
CD
> | and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing with
their
> | "techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no
luck.
> | The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
> | partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity, and
no
> | progress on screen.
> |
> | The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
> | unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with the
> | Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all
partitions,
> | reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
> |
> | Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as about
> | 20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the Restore
> | program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive!
ScanDisk
> | doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
> |
> | All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?
> | Ed
> |
>
> Go to the hard disk manufacturer's web site and download their diagnostic
software
> respective to your hard disk. After the test, you will know if the hard
disk is bad or
> not..
>
> Quantum/Maxtor - PowerMax
> http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/d [...] wermax.htm
>
> Western Digital - Data LifeGuard Tools (DLGDiag)
> http://support.wdc.com/download/
>
> Hitachi/IBM - Drive Fitness Test (DFT)
> http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm
>
> Seagate - SeaTools
> http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/
>
> Fujitsu - Diagnostic Tool
> http://www.fcpa.com/download/hard-drives/
>
> Samsung - Disk manager
> http://www.samsung.com/Products/Ha [...] shdiag.htm
>
>
> --
> Dave
> http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
> http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Ed, try FDISK again, wipe the existing partitions and adding one Primary
DOS partition of just 8GB (8192 MB). Create an Extended Partition in the
remainder and one or more Volumes in that partition. It's easier to
partition before installing so that CD drives, etc., don't get changed
later. Make sure to say Yes to Large Disk Support when starting FDISK.
Then try running the restore CD.

If that doesn't work, try deleting all partitions and running the
Restore CD *without* first partitioning the HD.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:uCvTviihFHA.2472@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a
> Restore CD
> and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing with
> their
> "techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no
> luck.
> The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
> partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity,
> and no
> progress on screen.
>
> The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
> unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with
> the
> Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all
> partitions,
> reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
>
> Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as
> about
> 20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the
> Restore
> program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive!
> ScanDisk
> doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
>
> All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?
> Ed
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Gary - Just to make sure I understand everything:

> Ed, try FDISK again, wipe the existing partitions and adding one Primary
> DOS partition of just 8GB (8192 MB). Create an Extended Partition in the
> remainder and one or more Volumes in that partition.

And these all get formatted FAT32? Does the FDisk automatically format on
creation, or do I need to go back to each partition and format separately?

> It's easier to
> partition before installing so that CD drives, etc., don't get changed
> later. Make sure to say Yes to Large Disk Support when starting FDISK.
> Then try running the restore CD.

I wonder if that wasn't a problem - the drive would have been C: and the CD
D:, but the Restore program automatically reformats the drive and creates a
partition, which would have shoved the CD over to E:, and it may not have
been able to find it again.

> If that doesn't work, try deleting all partitions and running the
> Restore CD *without* first partitioning the HD.

Just FDisk, wipe everything, and format, but DON'T set an active partition?

Okay - I'll probably try these tonight when I get home (I'm at work right
now). I'll let you know if things went up in smoke!
Ed

>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP Shell/User
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>
> "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:uCvTviihFHA.2472@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> > My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a
> > Restore CD
> > and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing with
> > their
> > "techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no
> > luck.
> > The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
> > partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity,
> > and no
> > progress on screen.
> >
> > The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
> > unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with
> > the
> > Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all
> > partitions,
> > reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
> >
> > Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as
> > about
> > 20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the
> > Restore
> > program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive!
> > ScanDisk
> > doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
> >
> > All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?
> > Ed
> >
> >
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
newsCc%23KykhFHA.1164@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Gary - Just to make sure I understand everything:
>
>> Ed, try FDISK again, wipe the existing partitions and adding one
>> Primary
>> DOS partition of just 8GB (8192 MB). Create an Extended Partition in
>> the
>> remainder and one or more Volumes in that partition.
>
> And these all get formatted FAT32? Does the FDisk automatically
> format on
> creation, or do I need to go back to each partition and format
> separately?

Yes, they all get formatted FAT32. The Restore CD reformats C:\ anyway,
but you need to format the other(s)--and no, FDISK doesn't format. You
need to reboot one or more times while FDISKing, then once that's done,
use the Startup floppy to format the partitions.

>> It's easier to
>> partition before installing so that CD drives, etc., don't get
>> changed
>> later. Make sure to say Yes to Large Disk Support when starting
>> FDISK.
>> Then try running the restore CD.
>
> I wonder if that wasn't a problem - the drive would have been C: and
> the CD
> D:, but the Restore program automatically reformats the drive and
> creates a
> partition, which would have shoved the CD over to E:, and it may not
> have
> been able to find it again.

No, I doubt that was the problem. First, if a program is aboe to change
drive letter assignment, or to do anything that would change drive
letter assignment change, there is also logic built in to take that into
account. And you have the progression backwards--a partition gets
created and then formatted. And I'm not certain what you mean about a
new D:\ getting created, unless it's a process similar to that which the
standard Windows Startup disk uses when it assigns the RAM drive the
next available letter and bumps CD and other removable drives up a
letter--that's taken into account.

>> If that doesn't work, try deleting all partitions and running the
>> Restore CD *without* first partitioning the HD.
>
> Just FDisk, wipe everything, and format, but DON'T set an active
> partition?

Yes, use FDISK to wipe all partitions. No, there won't be anything *to*
format at that time. There won't be any Active partition, there won't be
any partitions at all. The idea I've been working off is that the
Restore CD is having trouble either with the C:\ being too large, or
that it *needs* some free, unpartitioned space on the drive to install
one or more hidden partitions, and that if it finds a blank slate it
will proceed to partition the drive as it needs it to be partitioned. On
this premise, the one other thing to try is to only create a C:\ of 8GB,
then leave the rest free for Setup to use. When installation is
finished, go back and use FDSIK to fill in any remaining free space with
an Extended partition and Volumes within. You'd then have to change the
Path to the CD drive(s) in the Registry (an possibly elsewhere) to allow
programs to find it/them. On a fresh installation there aren't many of
these references, so do this step before running any Updates, software
instalaltion, etc., to keep teh changes to a minimum. You can make these
changes manually, or there are freeware apps to do it for you (COA, or
"Change of Address", is one I recall.) Or you can simply wait for such
errors to occur and deal with them then (most apps, including Windows
instalaltion procedures, will let you find the drive when necessary, and
most even remember the new location.)

Couple more ideas:

When you installed this drive, did you run any programs from floppy or
CD to "Set Up" this new hard drive? It may have installed a drive
overlay that you don't need or which the Restore CD can't decipher.

After deleting all partitions using FDISK and *restarting*, run the
following:
fdisk /mbr
Then proceed with whatever scheme you want to try.

Personally, I don't use FDISK. I use BootIt NG, from www.bootitng.com
(or www.terabyteunlimited.com.) It gives a more accurate picture of the
partitioning scheme and is free to use for this one-time purpose (you
pay for it if you need to use the Boot Manager to manage multi-OS
systems.) If you want to go that route, post back for instructions.
Basically, you create the floppy instalaltion disk, then boot to it,
then CANCEL when prompted to install Boot It NG. That drops you into
Maintenance Mode, which gives access to Partition Work.

> Okay - I'll probably try these tonight when I get home (I'm at work
> right
> now). I'll let you know if things went up in smoke!

Hey, if it goes up in smoke, time to buy a new system, right? Only this
time, try not to get a Compaq, <s>.

Good Luck,

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Okay, Gary. Thanks a bunch! I've got the BootIt disk, and I've got your
instructions printed.

> And I'm not certain what you mean about a
> new D:\ getting created, unless it's a process similar to that which the
> standard Windows Startup disk uses when it assigns the RAM drive the
> next available letter and bumps CD and other removable drives up a
> letter--that's taken into account.

When the computer boots off the floppy, it creates a RAM drive with the next
available letter. When the Restore CD runs, it reformats and repartitions
the hard drive, creating a C: primary partition and a D: hidden partition,
in which it hides Restore programs on the hard drive. The computer will
boot to a CD before the A: drive, so I assuming that a restart would delete
the RAM drive, since the floppy isn't being used because its booting from
the CD. If not, though, then it's going to bump the drive letters for the
RAM drive and the CD drive during the repartition. Then again, as you say,
any program that moves drive letters around ought to remember where they
are. (I'll have to remember that if *my* programming skills ever reach that
level!)

> Hey, if it goes up in smoke, time to buy a new system, right? Only this
> time, try not to get a Compaq, <s>.

Not with new Dells at $300!! <G> Christmas in July??

Thanks again.
Ed

"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:u2aq1MlhFHA.2444@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> newsCc%23KykhFHA.1164@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > Gary - Just to make sure I understand everything:
> >
> >> Ed, try FDISK again, wipe the existing partitions and adding one
> >> Primary
> >> DOS partition of just 8GB (8192 MB). Create an Extended Partition in
> >> the
> >> remainder and one or more Volumes in that partition.
> >
> > And these all get formatted FAT32? Does the FDisk automatically
> > format on
> > creation, or do I need to go back to each partition and format
> > separately?
>
> Yes, they all get formatted FAT32. The Restore CD reformats C:\ anyway,
> but you need to format the other(s)--and no, FDISK doesn't format. You
> need to reboot one or more times while FDISKing, then once that's done,
> use the Startup floppy to format the partitions.
>
> >> It's easier to
> >> partition before installing so that CD drives, etc., don't get
> >> changed
> >> later. Make sure to say Yes to Large Disk Support when starting
> >> FDISK.
> >> Then try running the restore CD.
> >
> > I wonder if that wasn't a problem - the drive would have been C: and
> > the CD
> > D:, but the Restore program automatically reformats the drive and
> > creates a
> > partition, which would have shoved the CD over to E:, and it may not
> > have
> > been able to find it again.
>
> No, I doubt that was the problem. First, if a program is aboe to change
> drive letter assignment, or to do anything that would change drive
> letter assignment change, there is also logic built in to take that into
> account. And you have the progression backwards--a partition gets
> created and then formatted. And I'm not certain what you mean about a
> new D:\ getting created, unless it's a process similar to that which the
> standard Windows Startup disk uses when it assigns the RAM drive the
> next available letter and bumps CD and other removable drives up a
> letter--that's taken into account.
>
> >> If that doesn't work, try deleting all partitions and running the
> >> Restore CD *without* first partitioning the HD.
> >
> > Just FDisk, wipe everything, and format, but DON'T set an active
> > partition?
>
> Yes, use FDISK to wipe all partitions. No, there won't be anything *to*
> format at that time. There won't be any Active partition, there won't be
> any partitions at all. The idea I've been working off is that the
> Restore CD is having trouble either with the C:\ being too large, or
> that it *needs* some free, unpartitioned space on the drive to install
> one or more hidden partitions, and that if it finds a blank slate it
> will proceed to partition the drive as it needs it to be partitioned. On
> this premise, the one other thing to try is to only create a C:\ of 8GB,
> then leave the rest free for Setup to use. When installation is
> finished, go back and use FDSIK to fill in any remaining free space with
> an Extended partition and Volumes within. You'd then have to change the
> Path to the CD drive(s) in the Registry (an possibly elsewhere) to allow
> programs to find it/them. On a fresh installation there aren't many of
> these references, so do this step before running any Updates, software
> instalaltion, etc., to keep teh changes to a minimum. You can make these
> changes manually, or there are freeware apps to do it for you (COA, or
> "Change of Address", is one I recall.) Or you can simply wait for such
> errors to occur and deal with them then (most apps, including Windows
> instalaltion procedures, will let you find the drive when necessary, and
> most even remember the new location.)
>
> Couple more ideas:
>
> When you installed this drive, did you run any programs from floppy or
> CD to "Set Up" this new hard drive? It may have installed a drive
> overlay that you don't need or which the Restore CD can't decipher.
>
> After deleting all partitions using FDISK and *restarting*, run the
> following:
> fdisk /mbr
> Then proceed with whatever scheme you want to try.
>
> Personally, I don't use FDISK. I use BootIt NG, from www.bootitng.com
> (or www.terabyteunlimited.com.) It gives a more accurate picture of the
> partitioning scheme and is free to use for this one-time purpose (you
> pay for it if you need to use the Boot Manager to manage multi-OS
> systems.) If you want to go that route, post back for instructions.
> Basically, you create the floppy instalaltion disk, then boot to it,
> then CANCEL when prompted to install Boot It NG. That drops you into
> Maintenance Mode, which gives access to Partition Work.
>
> > Okay - I'll probably try these tonight when I get home (I'm at work
> > right
> > now). I'll let you know if things went up in smoke!
>
> Hey, if it goes up in smoke, time to buy a new system, right? Only this
> time, try not to get a Compaq, <s>.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP Shell/User
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Gary, I wonder about that "missing" 10GB. Compaq AFAIK adds a virtual partition
which I believe is hidden that they use for the restore image and such. If this
is the case, would Fdisk be able to dump it in the normal manner?

--

Brian A. Sesko
{ MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://basconotw.mvps.org/



"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:uLTVvgkhFHA.272@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> Ed, try FDISK again, wipe the existing partitions and adding one Primary DOS
> partition of just 8GB (8192 MB). Create an Extended Partition in the remainder
> and one or more Volumes in that partition. It's easier to partition before
> installing so that CD drives, etc., don't get changed later. Make sure to say
> Yes to Large Disk Support when starting FDISK. Then try running the restore
> CD.
>
> If that doesn't work, try deleting all partitions and running the Restore CD
> *without* first partitioning the HD.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP Shell/User
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>
> "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:uCvTviihFHA.2472@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a Restore CD
>> and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing with their
>> "techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no luck.
>> The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
>> partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity, and no
>> progress on screen.
>>
>> The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with an
>> unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with the
>> Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all partitions,
>> reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
>>
>> Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as about
>> 20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the Restore
>> program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive! ScanDisk
>> doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
>>
>> All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any suggestions?
>> Ed
>>
>>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eYnydqlhFHA.1252@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Okay, Gary. Thanks a bunch! I've got the BootIt disk, and I've got
> your
> instructions printed.
>
>> And I'm not certain what you mean about a
>> new D:\ getting created, unless it's a process similar to that which
>> the
>> standard Windows Startup disk uses when it assigns the RAM drive the
>> next available letter and bumps CD and other removable drives up a
>> letter--that's taken into account.
>
> When the computer boots off the floppy, it creates a RAM drive with
> the next
> available letter. When the Restore CD runs, it reformats and
> repartitions
> the hard drive, creating a C: primary partition and a D: hidden
> partition,
> in which it hides Restore programs on the hard drive.

Are you *certain* that the Restore CD creates those partitions? If so,
then you should start with *no* partitioning. I'm not convinced that
that is what it does--I'm thinking that if partition(s) already exist,
it won't mess with them--which is perhaps why it stalls, since there's
no room for teh Hidden partition if you'v already partitioned the drive
entirely using FDISK or whatever.

>The computer will
> boot to a CD before the A: drive, so I assuming that a restart would
> delete
> the RAM drive, since the floppy isn't being used because its booting
> from
> the CD. If not, though, then it's going to bump the drive letters for
> the
> RAM drive and the CD drive during the repartition. Then again, as you
> say,
> any program that moves drive letters around ought to remember where
> they
> are. (I'll have to remember that if *my* programming skills ever
> reach that
> level!)

Yes, a restart destroys the RAM drive. None of this is odd--however I
usually have BIOS check the floppy drive for bootable system before
checking the CDROM drive. Don't worry about drive letters right now. Try
running FDISK to delete all partitions, then after restarting to the
same Windows Startup disk, run FDISK /MBR, then remove the floppy disk,
insert the Restore disk, and restart. See what happens.

>> Hey, if it goes up in smoke, time to buy a new system, right? Only
>> this
>> time, try not to get a Compaq, <s>.
>
> Not with new Dells at $300!! <G> Christmas in July??

I've purchased a few Dells lately--you aren't going to get what you want
for $300, <s>. You're going to want a bit more than that model
offers--of course! My biggest gripe is that, at least with the 3000 and
4700 models, they leave little room, or don't provide the proper
connections or case components, to make later upgrading easy. I built a
pretty nice 4700 for under $1200, a decent enough but limited 3000 for
~$850 (only one DVD-RW/DVD-R/CDRW/CDROM drive, for instance, which makes
disk copying impossible...Very few add-ons, really, but ones that make
the most sense for most people.)

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

They add a partition, yes, but I don't think it's that big. Maybe. My
recollection is that it's in the sub-gigabyte range, but if all apps are
included, perhaps up to a couple of GB. 10 GB sounds outrageous--more
like the total disk size on Compaqs of that era.

I could call a client or three, but it would take most of the rest of
the day to lead them through the steps to find out--yes, that's the type
of clientele I deal with.... (Of course, if my memory wasn't shot all to
blazes, I wouldn't need to call them, now would I?)

I *think* FDISK can get rid of that partition, just as it can be used to
get rid of other non-DOS partitions. But like I say, I don't use FDISK.
I use BING, <s>.

I really think the issue is having used up the entire drive for C:\ in
the first place, leaving the Restore CD no room to create the Hidden
one.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP Shell/User
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
newsB$o93lhFHA.2644@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Gary, I wonder about that "missing" 10GB. Compaq AFAIK adds a virtual
> partition which I believe is hidden that they use for the restore
> image and such. If this is the case, would Fdisk be able to dump it in
> the normal manner?
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko
> { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
> news:uLTVvgkhFHA.272@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> Ed, try FDISK again, wipe the existing partitions and adding one
>> Primary DOS partition of just 8GB (8192 MB). Create an Extended
>> Partition in the remainder and one or more Volumes in that partition.
>> It's easier to partition before installing so that CD drives, etc.,
>> don't get changed later. Make sure to say Yes to Large Disk Support
>> when starting FDISK. Then try running the restore CD.
>>
>> If that doesn't work, try deleting all partitions and running the
>> Restore CD *without* first partitioning the HD.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS MVP Shell/User
>> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
>> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>>
>> "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:uCvTviihFHA.2472@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>>> My Compaq crashed a while back. Since all Compaq gives you is a
>>> Restore CD
>>> and not a system disk, I feel a bit lost. I did the "chat" thing
>>> with their
>>> "techs" (more like keyword FAQ retrievers!), and so far have had no
>>> luck.
>>> The Restore process gets to the point of "Restore will now check the
>>> partitioning of your hard drive", and hangs - no CD or HD activity,
>>> and no
>>> progress on screen.
>>>
>>> The original issue was a WIN98SE crash. DOS ScanDisk came up with
>>> an
>>> unresolvable long file name. After screwing things up horribly with
>>> the
>>> Restore CD, I went for broke. FDisked the drive, deleted all
>>> partitions,
>>> reset one active partition, formatted FAT32, for the whole drive.
>>>
>>> Or so I thought. The drive is 30GB. Somehow it's only showing as
>>> about
>>> 20GB. I'm wondering now if this disparity is what's causing the
>>> Restore
>>> program to hang. I'm also wondering if I've fragged the drive!
>>> ScanDisk
>>> doesn't show any bad sectors on a full surface scan.
>>>
>>> All I've got is a Win98SE boot floppy to work with. Any
>>> suggestions?
>>> Ed
>>>
>>>
>>
>

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

I just set my brother up a few weeks ago, with a Dell 4700...
P-IV HT, 512MB RAM, 40GB HDD (easy enough to supplement later), DVD-ROM drive, CD_RW
drive, integrated Ethernet, modem, audio and video (with a PCI-E slot for video
upgrades) and some empty PCI slots, USB 2.0 17" CRT monitor, 2-year service
warranty, free shipping, for about $750. He's happy with it, and I see his family
getting a lot of mileage out of it. :-)
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Gary S. Terhune" <grystnews@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:erEOcJmhFHA.720@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> "Ed" <ed_millis@NO_SPAM.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:eYnydqlhFHA.1252@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > Okay, Gary. Thanks a bunch! I've got the BootIt disk, and I've got
> > your
> > instructions printed.
> >
> >> And I'm not certain what you mean about a
> >> new D:\ getting created, unless it's a process similar to that which
> >> the
> >> standard Windows Startup disk uses when it assigns the RAM drive the
> >> next available letter and bumps CD and other removable drives up a
> >> letter--that's taken into account.
> >
> > When the computer boots off the floppy, it creates a RAM drive with
> > the next
> > available letter. When the Restore CD runs, it reformats and
> > repartitions
> > the hard drive, creating a C: primary partition and a D: hidden
> > partition,
> > in which it hides Restore programs on the hard drive.
>
> Are you *certain* that the Restore CD creates those partitions? If so,
> then you should start with *no* partitioning. I'm not convinced that
> that is what it does--I'm thinking that if partition(s) already exist,
> it won't mess with them--which is perhaps why it stalls, since there's
> no room for teh Hidden partition if you'v already partitioned the drive
> entirely using FDISK or whatever.
>
> >The computer will
> > boot to a CD before the A: drive, so I assuming that a restart would
> > delete
> > the RAM drive, since the floppy isn't being used because its booting
> > from
> > the CD. If not, though, then it's going to bump the drive letters for
> > the
> > RAM drive and the CD drive during the repartition. Then again, as you
> > say,
> > any program that moves drive letters around ought to remember where
> > they
> > are. (I'll have to remember that if *my* programming skills ever
> > reach that
> > level!)
>
> Yes, a restart destroys the RAM drive. None of this is odd--however I
> usually have BIOS check the floppy drive for bootable system before
> checking the CDROM drive. Don't worry about drive letters right now. Try
> running FDISK to delete all partitions, then after restarting to the
> same Windows Startup disk, run FDISK /MBR, then remove the floppy disk,
> insert the Restore disk, and restart. See what happens.
>
> >> Hey, if it goes up in smoke, time to buy a new system, right? Only
> >> this
> >> time, try not to get a Compaq, <s>.
> >
> > Not with new Dells at $300!! <G> Christmas in July??
>
> I've purchased a few Dells lately--you aren't going to get what you want
> for $300, <s>. You're going to want a bit more than that model
> offers--of course! My biggest gripe is that, at least with the 3000 and
> 4700 models, they leave little room, or don't provide the proper
> connections or case components, to make later upgrading easy. I built a
> pretty nice 4700 for under $1200, a decent enough but limited 3000 for
> ~$850 (only one DVD-RW/DVD-R/CDRW/CDROM drive, for instance, which makes
> disk copying impossible...Very few add-ons, really, but ones that make
> the most sense for most people.)
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS MVP Shell/User
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/cleanboot.htm
> http://www.grystmill.com/articles/security.htm
>
>