'98 booting problem

[Roclive]

My 'new' 'Windows '98' computer, after the initial 'Packard Bell' logo, refuses to boot up into Windows, only reading 'error loading operating system'.
Downloading the floppy boot disk does'nt help either, although all the BIOS info is accessible.
Am I right in guessing that the previous owner formatted the C drive, and that I need to install again via a CD startup disk? (which I don't have)
If this is correct, can I use a data transfer cable to another 'Windows '98' computer to move over it's C folder?
Any advice much appreciated.

Rob

[jtdoom]

Hi
welcome to CTH

do you have the packard bell CDROM discs?

[Dewbacca]

Just a suggestion... certainly not "qualified help", but get yourself a LEGAL copy of Win2k and format the drive, then install and update win2k.

[jtdoom]

hi

2000 may run like molasses on it?
a legal 98se might very well be better.

it really depends on the hardware.
2000 sp3 IS solid, but requires a bit more power than a 98 designed box might have.

Let's ask for specifications?
how much memory?
size of hard drive?
the CPU? is it a pentium 3? or better? Or worse? (they tended to be intel)

if you don't know, the model sticker will tell us something..

[Jim Smith]

My 'new' 'Windows '98' computer, after the initial 'Packard Bell' logo, refuses to boot up into Windows, only reading 'error loading operating system'.
Downloading the floppy boot disk does'nt help either, although all the BIOS info is accessible.
Am I right in guessing that the previous owner formatted the C drive, and that I need to install again via a CD startup disk? (which I don't have)
If this is correct, can I use a data transfer cable to another 'Windows '98' computer to move over it's C folder?
Any advice much appreciated.

Rob

My best guess is that either a fdisk /mbr (from a boot disk) or changing the LBA or large disc parameter (in the BIOS) would solve the problem. Somehow, the BIOS is looking in the wrong place to find where the OS is.

[jpxtreme]

you can also copy its files by hardisk-to-hardisk method, use a functional comp to do the process. You can do this with the hardisk that has problem booting up.

Regards,

JPXTREME

[winsong]

Keep it legal - hacking from one syste to another is not legal, in any sense of the word.

You should be able to get a legal 98SE install CD at a good price. :)