ScanDisk Problem

[Rpbertxyz]

My grandson has my old computer which is running Windows98. He has a problem that every time he boots up, the scandisk screen comes up because he didn't shut down properly. It goes to 17% completed and justs sits there doing nothing for hours. Reboot and the same thing happens, so he can't get into windows. I asked him how he shut off the machine the last time it was working, and he said that he selected the standby option by mistake, and when nothing happened he just turned off the machine manually. That's when all his problems started.I have used the Windows98 startup disk and tried to run the scandisk from there. It stops at 3%. I get no error messages from scandisk when it stops. The hard drive activity light is off.I don't believe the hard drive is bad, because I ran a fitness test, and it was good. I have googled this all kinds of ways and can't get the exact same problem. Usually if it halts, it should give you a message. When it does hang on the scandisk screen, the only way out is to restart the computer. Hit any keys on the keyboard, nothing. No virus, the computer has never been on the internet.

[3Real]

This is a last resort cure if any.

At C:\prompt type: SCANREG /RESTORE

Win98SE saves the last 5 registries. A blue window will come up and you pick the registry cab date that IS NOT the last one. It will restore a good backup copy of the registry before the system became corrupted.

I guess you've tried Safe Mode?

Or boot up NAV and let it check for viruses just to make sure.

OR reformat or use your Restore/Recovery CD's to fix it.

HTH

[blt_abx]

Try running the DOS version of scandisk.

Boot the machine using a Win98 startup disk.
At the A:\ prompt type C: and press enter.
At the C:\ prompt type SCANDISK.EXE /F and press enter.

If this runs, try booting normally and rerunning scandisk from within Windows.

[Rpbertxyz]

I've tried all suggestions. Can't get past or out of scandisk screen. I can try a Windows98 repair or the dreaded reinstall. Does anybody believe that shutting off the machine while in standby caused this problem?

[blt_abx]

Originally Posted by Rpbertxyz

Does anybody believe that shutting off the machine while in standby caused this problem?

Yes. It's likely this caused data corruption.

Try replacing the SCANDISK.EXE file before attempting a repair or reinstall of Windows. It's possible the file is corrupt since it won't run from DOS.

If it scandisk still won't run, then it's probably time to consider a repair or reinstall Windows.

[Rpbertxyz]

The computer will be arriving from Springfield,ILL this weekend. I will get a better feel what repairs I will have to make. I've been trying to fix this problem over the telephone with my daughter. She know nothing about computers, so maybe she didn't get the instructions correctly.

[DeMenAce]

Just reinstall W98. Use a startup disk and when you see the A:\ prompt type C:\ setup.exe This will try to run a scan disk at the beginning. See if it can. Then you can reinstall if it has too many errors. When it asks if you want to save the last install, say No. It will replace all the files to a new condition. I have done this so many times to repair friends PCs.

Hope this Helps

[traveler]

If you want to save the data on the drive then make it a slave drive and create a new win98se master drive. Then go in and take a look at the "new" slave drive and see what you find. You should be able to run scandisk from the new master win98se hard drive.

Also try Norton Disk Doctor.

Let us know what happens.

[Monkey Hanger]

Boot into "Safe Mode". The only cure for some of these strange ills!

[ThugsRook]

run scandisk from DOS.

sounds like you have/had a program running in the background while in windows.

fix or uninstall that program.