Someone, anyone, PLEASE! I need computer help!

[lilminx]

Ok- I was stupid enough to get hit with a bad vrius the other day. I was told to backup my files and then reformat my comp. At first, I couldn't find the Windows 98 disk that my computer supposedly came with, so I borrowed my mom's Windows XP disk. When I started my computer and tried to install it, there was a problem and I was given the message to call Compaq Technical Support. Obviously, I can't do that.

Ok- then I found the Windows 98 disk that mine came with (it's the Quickrestore one, right? I hope so, because that's the only one from my computer that I have). I tried to run it, and then I got a message that my computer is not a Compaq, or something like that.


The master drive in the cmputer isn't the one that came with it, but the slave drive is. I don't know what the fuck to do ,and I just want to fucking cry.

Is there anyone here who can help me? Please?

 

[Dillinger]

I'm not sure I quite understand the problem.

You can't just put the system disk into the computer and format either of the drives you want to? You should be able to format the new one?

Do you have a floppy disk along with the system disk? Not the floppy that came with your old system - but the one that came with the new system disk, if there was one?

You don't want to restore.. you're starting from scratch here...

 

[Guest]

OMG!!

I thought I was having a computer problem.....

Hang in there Minx!!

I'm an idiot, or I'd help.

Dilly to the rescue!!

 

[koalabear]

Dell

 

[lilminx]

I'm not sure I quite understand the problem.

You can't just put the system disk into the computer and format either of the drives you want to? You should be able to format the new one?

Do you have a floppy disk along with the system disk? Not the floppy that came with your old system - but the one that came with the new system disk, if there was one?

You don't want to restore.. you're starting from scratch here...

When I want put the disk in and run it, those are the messages I get. Floppy disk? You mean the one that came with my new hard drive? I have that, but that's the only floppy disk I have.

I know I don't want to restore, but isn't the reformatting program on the restore disks? I'm so confused now....

 

[Tropism]

I borrowed my mom's Windows XP disk...
I found the Windows 98 disk that mine came with (it's the Quickrestore one, right

Kinda need to know more to be of any help. What was the virus? But since youre already on your way to a total wipe, its like Dill said: you want to start from scratch.

Usually those 'restore' discs that come with the PCs are for only that model of PC. They assume a lot of things about the hardware. So dont use your mom's XP.
Your post said 'do a reformat'. If youve done the backup of your files already, then youve got to wipe the main drive. Maybe even FDISK it and redo the partition. (sorry to lose you in the geek speak). At a minimum you need to boot from a floppy and run 'format C:' on the main drive.
After its wiped, you again boot from the floppy (or the restore disc if it does this) and run the OS setup to install 98 once again.

If youve done this and thats when you get the 'not a compaq' error (what is your PC? is it a compaq ir did the XP from your moms write that somewhere?) then you might have to start over with a standard 98 install-- and go to 98SE anyway if you do that.

The restore discs generally put the OS and the staple applications (like office or works and such) onto the system. Its difficult to get ust one item off them and install it.

Dont know enough about your system or its current condition to help. Youd better find a computer geek nearby and trade him some Lit chat to fix it

Good luck; keep us posted. Theres enough comp know how on the board to help out if we knew more.

 

[Weird Harold]

Ok- then I found the Windows 98 disk that mine came with (it's the Quickrestore one, right? I hope so, because that's the only one from my computer that I have). I tried to run it, and then I got a message that my computer is not a Compaq, or something like that.


The master drive in the computer isn't the one that came with it, but the slave drive is. I don't know what the fuck to do ,and I just want to fucking cry.

The potential causes for your problems restoring your system to it's original software configuration are to diverse to deal with without being able to be "hands-on" with the problem.

The simplest way to resolve your problem is to take your system to a computer repair shop where a technician can deal with each problem as it crops up.

If your system is booting, then you should be able to create an emergency boot disk through the "add/remove programs" icon in your control panel -- the startup disk tab.

Once you have the startup disk, reboot your system so that it boots from the floppy you created.

From the DOS command line, type "Format C: /u /s" to completely erase all infromation on your C: drive.

Insert the restore disk in your CD drive, and it should autorun the restore to return your system to what it was when it came from the factory.

If that doesn't work, then a local computer repair shop (or computer geek friend) is going to be your only choice.

 

[LukkyKnight]

One other potential.

Many computers can now be persuaded to boot from the CD, but you may need a more knowledgeable friend to convince it to do so - there are settings in the so-called SETUP screens which determine if this is going to work or not.

If so it should be possible to boot from your orginal windows CD, format the hard drive, then reinstall to it...

I'm not sure you had to go that far, myself. Often a proram such as Norton can be from their CD to remove and repair infected files... but if you've started an XP install it's probably snarled up to the point were re-formatting is the speediest solution.

 

[lilminx]

Ok- I'm following WH's advice- I just made a start up disk, and am preparing to do the rest. *crossing my fingers*



Wish me luck...

 

[LukkyKnight]

Of course, minx. Good luck.

 

[lilminx]

Ok- this may seem like an incredibly stupid question, but when I restart with the startup disk, am I supposed to restart in DOS mode?

I didn't- I just restarted it, it started from the floppy, and then I had 3 choices-

1. start windows without cd rom support

2. start windows with cd rom support

3. view help files (or soemthing like that)

I chose # 1, and then got this:

A:

I typed in C: /u/s and then it went to this:

C:

I then inserted the QuickRestore disk- the original one that came with my computer, and got this message:

Warning- the computer you are using is not supported by the Quickrestore CD. Please remove the Quickrestore CD and restart your computer.


Before I did this, I tried to insert the Norton Internet Security CD, hoping that maybe I could fix the infected files without all the hassle and got this : The installation package could not be opened. Contact the application vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows Installer package.Am I totally fucked, or what?

I literally have NO money to go and get it fixed- I just cleared out my bank account paying tickets and towing fees on my car.



(By the way, I forgot to say- someone asked before what virus- it's the Loveletter A virus- I got it downloading music for my students).

 

[lobito]

Minxie, this is probably a dumb Q, but do you ahve access to yahoo msngr now? if so, get wit me

Lo

 

[LukkyKnight]

Well, it sounds like the XP installer hosed up some useful things, which is why Norton couldn't do its install magic. That's odd, you might check the Norton manual, the 2002 version has a "run-without-needing-windows mode." I know that may not solve your problem, but its worth a shot.

Next, you will DEFINITELY need CD support, but if you only have a quick restore CD not the full blown media to do a real install you're in deep um... well, let's just say you're in deep, ok? Some computer geeks will find this all so straightforward they'd be happy to spend a couple hours helping in exchange for a meal and a beer... you might ask at work.

Basically - assuming norton can't recover your files - you need to do a Windows install as though it had never been done, you see? So the boot disk has to make it possible to read the files off the CD. You may not be able to run XP on the machine depending on the age, and copyright-wise you need a copy of the operating system for each machine, not to be sharing one.

 

[lilminx]

No ,no, I wasn't able to use the XP installer- it never installed anything. I've been trying to do this all with Windows 98. I just tried the XP thing once and got a message almost as soon as it started running.

I have the Norton 2002 CD, and that's the message I got.

Isn't the quick restore CD the one to use? I don't know why I wouldn't have a full-blown media, but the Quickrestore CD is the only CD my comp came with.

 

[Tropism]

Does your PC still boot? I dont see reformat as the solution for the loveletter virus.

http://www.antivirus.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=VBS_LOVELETTR.AS

If its not too late, maybe you dont have to wipe the whole deal.

Best advice so far: get a geek to help you; youre getting in pretty deep into the tech stuff here and its hard to help via BB.

 

[Weird Harold]

1. start windows without cd rom support

2. start windows with cd rom support

3. view help files (or soemthing like that)

I chose # 1, and then got this:

A:

I typed in C: /u/s and then it went to this:

C:

You got exactly what you were supposed to -- Windows 98 in DOS mode.

You should select 2 so your CD-ROM drive will work.

You forgot the word FORMAT when you typed in "c: /u/s" It should be
Format C: /u /s
when you get the A: prompt.

 

[lilminx]

Well ,that's what I get for trying to do it when I'm dead tired- it's better off, though, because I discovered (with the help of Lobito) that my Quickrestore disk doesn't have Windows 98 on it. I need to get a Windows 98 CD before I do any of this.


Tropism, it might not be the easiest way to get rid of the virus, but I've been having problems with my comp anyway, so I think it''s best if I start all over anyway.

Thank you all so much for your advice.