HIMEM.SYS & IFSHLP.SYS

[Mafia]

Ok I don't know to much about computers but I know the basics. I was given this win95 labtop and I found out why.


When starting up I get to the windows 95 loading screen then I get a prompt screen saying HIMEM.SYS is missing or corrupt and the same thing with IFSHLP.SYS :( I dont know what to do.... I went and downloaded the boot disk and I am not to sure what to do :(

Is there anyway to fix this problem without formating because I dont have a disk for that??

Are there any boot disk commands that would replace the old corrupt files??

Thanks

[jdc2000]

You can download the files to create a Windows 95 boot diskette from http://www.bootdisk.com Once you have created the boot diskette, it should have the Himem.sys file on it, so you can boot using the diskette and copy that file to the C:\Windows folder. There may be an IFSHLP.SYS file on the diskette also. However, I'm betting that you are missing a lot more files than that. See if there is a C:\Windows\Options\Cabs folder on the hard drive. You could reinstall Windows using the files in that folder if the exist.

[Mafia]

Do you know how to put those 2 files in while at the A/ prompt because thats as far as I can get :(

[jdc2000]

Use the following copy commands at the A:> prompt.
Note: There is a space after the word COPY and a space before C:\WINDOWS

COPY A:\HIMEM.SYS C:\WINDOWS
COPY A:\IFSHLP.SYS C:\WINDOWS

[Mafia]

I type it in a the A prompt and I get a invalid drive specification?? not to sure why though :(

[jdc2000]

Try the following command:

DIR C:

If you get an error with that, chances are that your C: drive (hard drive) is not accessible. If you watch the text information that appears on the monitor during booting, it should tell you what drives the BIOS recognized. If you don't see any hard drives listed, then your hard drive was not seen by the BIOS. There are several possible causes for that, including loose power of data cables, failed IDE controller, or failed hard drive.

[Mafia]

I typed Dir C instead of Dir C: (for some reason Dir C: doesnt work)and it says the following

Volume in drive A is BOOT95A
Volume Serial Number is 3505-18E3
Directory of A:\
File not found

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Also about the BIOS I cant even get to it I've tried pressing F1 or F2 at start up but I have no luck :(
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I also got to thinking is it possible for the Hard drive to be under another letter:dizzy:

Thanks For Your Help :D

[jdc2000]

DIR C: is correct. DIR C is an error - it will just give you the directory of the diskette that you posted.

If you are getting an error when trying DIR C: - what error are you getting? It may be that the hard drive has been assigned a different letter, but that is not likely. A dead or unrecognized hard drive is more likely.

To access the BIOS, the most common key is the DELete key. However, your BIOS should tell you what key to press for setup when booting, unless that option is turned off.

[Mafia]

When I type in DIR C: I get invalid drive.

So my best bet would be to unscrew the labtop case and see if the hard drive cable is properly connected :) and if it is connected correctly I should replace the Hard Drive with a new one.

[jdc2000]

I'd check the hard drive power connection, and both ends of the data cable connection. If the connections are OK, try powering up the PC with the cover off and your fingers on the hard drive to see if the drive spins up. If it does, listen for clicking noises coming from the drive. If the drive spins up OK, but is still not recognized by the BIOS, there are several possibole causes:

bad data cable
failed IDE interface on the motherboard
bad hard drive

I would try putting the drive in another PC as a second drive to see if it is recognized there. That would help to determine if it is the drive or something else.