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| Thread ID: 28543 | 2002-12-22 21:30:00 | Newbie to computers... | Kryptos (2831) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 108371 | 2002-12-22 21:30:00 | I do not know too much about computers beyond the basics of windows and I have one heck of a problem now. I had just recieved a laptop as a gift, there was a lot of the previous owners stuff on it, so I went around and had a big clean up. But it seems I have somehow rendered my laptop unusable through this process, as when I tried to restart it (after my heavy spring cleaning) it displayed this message: "kernal file missing insert startup disk" (or something of the sorts. (It was/am running Windows NT) So I chucked an old Windows 98 startup disk in the laptop, it stated that I didnt have a FAT drive (or something?) and that I could fix that by typing "FDISK" at the A drive prompt. After a little fiddling around with "FDISK", the problem was worse, as now when I turn it on (with no disk inside), it gives me the happy message "missing operating system". Is there anything I can do?? I will be much appreciative of anyones help. |
Kryptos (2831) | ||
| 108372 | 2002-12-22 21:38:00 | simple way........reinstall windows. may mean going out and buying a copy from somewhere. check what model it is as some require bios changes to use different OS's. often laptops have a restore partition but i guess if you have been playing with fdisk then its proberly gone. |
tweak'e (174) | ||
| 108373 | 2002-12-22 21:46:00 | Great, thanks. Is it just a case of buying a Windows 9x (or whatever) CD and chucking that in the CD drive and booting it up? Will I have any problems? |
Kryptos (2831) | ||
| 108374 | 2002-12-22 22:03:00 | I won't immediately give you much help on this one, but PressF1 is very good at collectively solving these kinds of problems. My post is to say that (a) welcome to windows, you are experiencing how it operates (b) knowing something about windows doesn't imply knowing much about computers, in fact it may be a hindrance (c) rugila is an Oldbie to computers (although not to this forum), investigated getting a job with IBM in 1960, although never did work for them, & etc since then. The long term best way around your problem is to keep learning what you can about the operating systems you choose to use, otherwise you may always have trouble. PressF1 is very good at helping, so good luck and Merry Christmas. |
rugila (214) | ||
| 108375 | 2002-12-22 22:34:00 | Some laptops are fussy as to which operating system, their BIOS is specific to the OS. Search Google with the make and model before you rush out and buy a new OS? | godfather (25) | ||
| 108376 | 2002-12-22 23:50:00 | >a little fiddling around with "FDISK"... Now I seem to remember doing this a long, long time ago. Something to do with changing partition sizes if I recall. Deleting the partition with the intention of changing it's size was not exactly the best way to solve the problem! The rule is - only play with fdisk in the beginning to set your partitions up. Changing it later wipes all data. If you've gone and deleted a partition (some of us like learning this one the hard way - join the club) - then you are almost certainly up for a reformat, reinstall. FAQ#1 (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz) shows how to install Windows 98 (other versions of windows use a similar procedure). There are also FAQs - #33 and #34 on partitioning and using Fdisk. |
Heather P (163) | ||
| 108377 | 2002-12-23 00:00:00 | Also, make sure that the laptop can boot from the CD-ROM drive, otherwise you'll need to get a boot disk for it Other than that take a looksie on Trademe (http://www.trademe.co.nz) for a Windows OS CyberChuck |
cyberchuck (173) | ||
| 108378 | 2002-12-23 00:09:00 | The FAQ shows instructions on creating a startup disk (also known as a boot disk). Easy to make for an intentional reinstall - not so easy if you've trashed the system first. Once you've decided on an OS (operating system), if you don't have a startup disk or need to set your BIOS to boot from CD - ask again. |
Heather P (163) | ||
| 108379 | 2002-12-23 01:11:00 | And tell us the make and model of the laptop. Some are "maliciously" different, and there are extra steps involved in installing software. | Graham L (2) | ||
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