[Stephen.]

I need some PC help...

I'm trying to save my girlfriend's parents some money by fixing their PC but I'm having some problems.
They have their hard-drive partitioned into C:\ & D:\ and so I have put all the documents (that's all they want keeping) into D:\ and then tried formatting C:\
But it won't let me, it says something like "invalid media type C:\"

Could someone run me through how exactly to format the C:\ drive and then boot back up with a Windows 98 boot disk and CD and then up-grade to Windows ME?

Or, if it is easier, how do you use a re-store disc that was provided when the PC was bought?

Thanks,
Stephen.

[Sidders]

Have you tried using FDisk?

[Stephen.]

What I have tried is using the command prompt when the PC is starting up and going:

C:\

C:\format C:\

[Sidders]

In that case type:

d:
format c:\

That should work.

[Stephen.]

Is that because you are accessing the D:\ first which means C:\ is not in use and so can be formatted?

Once that is done how do you run the Windows 98 CD in the command prompt so that it sets up 98 from their because when I tried doing it (without formatting) it kept saying "failed reading from F:\" (the CD ROM is drive F:\)

[Sidders]

The OS will be looking for the format program on the c: drive, but since it can't access the c: drive it comes up with 'invalid media type'. Therefore you will need to use the format program on the d: drive (assuming it is there, if it isn't then put it on a floppy and type a:\format c:\)

[Stephen.]

if it isn't then put it on a floppy

If it isn't on D:\ where can I find it?

[Sidders]

On the PC you're using at the minute.

[Stephen.]

Yes but where? It'll save me having to search for it if you can tell me.

Also, if I boot up with any Windows 98 floppy disc, will this install all the necessary drivers for the CD drive etc or do you need a machine specific boot disc?

[Sidders]

It should be in the 'Windows\Command' directory.

Not sure about the boot disk, I think it should get the CD drive working ok, but you might need to try it.

[timb]

once youve changed to D: use
formcat c: /s
and then go into the BIOS (Del or F1 on the POST screen) and change the First Boot Device to CDROM, then put the windows CD in and restart the machine. The install program should run, once the install program reboots your PC go back into the BIOS and change the first boot device back to IDE0 or HARDDRIVE.

if it wont boot off the CD you can use win98 boot disk, the one that comes with the windows cd does have CDROM drivers on it but others may not, check for MSCDEX.EXE on the floppy and if it has that file it will probably load the CD drivers, though the drive letters may change.

[Adam]

like i say - pm timb if you have a computer problem