Cannot run Scandisk or SpinRite

[xrayer]

When my laptop starts, it gives me the message," One or more of your drives have errors, run Scandisk" (Or words to that effect). It then tells me Scandisk cannot be run. When I press a key, it contnues with the boot. If I try to run Scandisk from >Start >Programs >Accessories > System Tools >Scandisk, it starts and then tells me IHave errors and need to do a "Thorough Scan", at which point it starts and then tells me I am out of memory and stops. I have tried booting to "Safe Mode", but still same results. I have tried booting from "Floppy", and then it doesn't see Drive C. I tried to run "SpinRite", and it sat for 12 (TWELVE) hours and didn't start. If I boot from "A" drive and try SpinRite, is tells me I have no FAT, or am using third part software, or a virus . The answer is "NO" to all, (except FAT, but then why would it boot at all). Any help would really be appreciated, before I have to do the big FORMAT. Thanks.

[Murf]

Welcome to CTH

Obviously if it boots up and works then Spinrite doesn't know what uit is talking about. Not familiar with that program.

If scandisk will not run, even in safe mode, then the drive may have a problem.

1. Go to HERE and get yourself a good boot floppy. Download the file Windows 98 Custom, No Ramdrive

After you download it, double click on it and a window will come up, put in a clean floppy and it will extract the boot files to the floppy.

Now reboot with the floppy to get to the A:/> prompt

Now type the following:

scandisk c:

[xrayer]

I tried that from a previous thread, and it boots to "A", but then it doesn't see "C". If I boot normally, and then go to "A" and run Scandisk, I still get "Out of Memory" message.

[Murf]

At the A:/> prompt if you type

c: (hit <enter>)

What happens does it go to the C:/> prompt?