Can't re-install Win95

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

I have an old Pentium computer. Several years ago, I formated the HD. Ever since I can't get it to work. I'm sure I did something wrong. I put in the Win 95 Boot Disk I downloaded from Bootdisk.com, via another computer. This is what the screen shows:

Primary Master HDD: GAS54112 Maxtor 90432D2
FDC failure
Press F1 to RESUME

Then, when I press F1, it says: "Missing operating system"
It never takes me to a command prompt, so I can do fdisk, etc.

My Win95 installation is a set of about 13 floppies.
Any help out there?

[tetonbob]

FDC failure is short for floppy disk controller failure. Make sure your floppy connections inside the box are proper and secure. Make sure the floppy is set up properly in your BIOS, ie 3.5" 1.44MB. Could be a bad floppy ribbon cable.

Also, did you run the downloaded bootdisk from Windows, or did you just copy it to the floppy? Most don't work right if you just copy them, they need to run from windows, and the setup will ask you for a formatted floppy. If the bootdisk isn't right, you have no OS, as you have a blank HD. (A bootdisk is the defacto OS of the PC upon which it is running)

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Tetonbob, I did run the downloaded bootdisk from Windows. I checked all the wires to the floppy. I even switched out the wires, as well as the floppy drive, from another machine... same message:
FDC failure, Primary HDC failure, Press F1 to RESUME. When I press F1, there are two audible beeps and a display: DISKETT BOOT FAILURE. I also switched around the 4 memmory sticks just for giggles...same. I haven't yet switched out the memmory sticks with others. I think I'll try that right now. If this does not work, what else could it be?

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Well, I just swapped the 4 memory sticks, and have the same audible "2 beeps" and the same failure messages. Any thoughts?

[tetonbob]

Try this link to pin down the beep code for your particular BIOS, although you are getting a failure message. You changed cables and even exchanged floppy drives, so it doesn't seem like it's the drive; your mobo is not processing the info.

http://www.bioscentral.com/

Could be your mobo is fritzed. Or the controllers. Are they onboard, or cards?

That's all I've got for now.

Anyone else?

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Controllers are on board. I don't know what else to do but to trash it. I was wanting to fix it up for a friend who can't afford to buy a puter, and who wanted it it just to do e-mail. Thanks for your efforts, tetonbob.

[tetonbob]

Just keep it in the holding pen for a time.....someone may come along with the right answer yet.

[jdc2000]

As long as you don't want to use the floppy drive for anything, you can still re-load Windows using that motherboard. Just connect the hard drive to another PC and format it and make it bootable, then copy the Windows installation files from the CD to the hard drive (use a Win95 folder). Then re-install the hard drive and set up Windows.

Or, you could get an add-in floppy controller card and disable the one on the motherboard.

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

I checked out the website that explains the "beeps". I get 2 beeps before I get the notice of "FDC failure". It says it's a memory parity error, and that the RAM IC is probably bad. Does this mean the memory sticks, or the board that they plug into? This computer worked alright before, with these memory sticks (4 - 32MB). Is it more likely that it is the memory modules, or the board? Is there any way to check to see if it is the board.
Also, you suggested trying formatting in another computer and making it bootable, then installing windows 95. There may be a problem with that. My 95 installation is in the form of a stack of floppy disks. Also, when I go to the AMI BIOS, it doesn't allow me to select a boot sequence. I assume it only boots to floppy. ?????????
Well, I just went into the BIOS and selected "Periferal Setup". In this window, I noticed that OnBoard FDC is "disabled". However, I can't seem to change it. I tried the down, up, left, right, pg up, pg dwn, tab. But, nothing seems to work. Is there some secret way to change these settings?

[tetonbob]

RAM IC is Random Access Memory Integrated Circuit. It could be that your sticks, or one, is bad. But, I thought you swapped sticks as a test already. Were these known good sticks? In that case, I'd say the bank has problems. If you have another computer which can accept these RAM sticks, try them in that one, if they work there, I'd say it's the bank. Also - Are they in securely? Did they "snap" into place? Older SIMMS can work themselves free.

You can also try to download Doc Memory - http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/download.asp

to see if your sticks have problems. Run it 6-10 times in succession.

Use the other computer's floppy drive to do your copy of the files on your install disks to a folder on your HD, then reinstall your HD in your box, and run Setup.

Each BIOS has it's own way of making changes. There should be a key on the screen somewhere as to which key or key combo does what. Did you try +/- ? See if this link helps you - http://www.computerhope.com/help/ami.htm

[apache]

Hi Drift
First you need to make sure that the cables are ok, then the drives which i am sure you already have.
then the memory sticks, but one and most impostant thing you mustn't forget is not to touch them with your bare hands without a strap, because you can damage your MObo or even the sticks themselves, if it's disabled in the Bios, you need to use the keys like pge up/dwn -/+ and the most of the Fkeys too, like our friend said to you different bioses have different ways of setup.:dizzy: i know it's a pain you know where :michaelan but keep on trying, also next time before you format any disk make sure you have the back up, and all the drivers available otherwise it's a nightmare in some cases you might not even find the drivers if they are so old, as we all know Mr Bill Gate doesn't give a monkey, all he wants is our money and rip us off lol.

Keep us updated and we come up with an answer. Don't waste your money with the big companies looking fior help, they will not help you, including Microsoft.

Good luck:fyi:

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Well, I was finally able to enable the FDC in the BIOS. Thanks for your help. Then I went to boot to the boot disk floppy which was included with my set of installation disks. It did not work. Then I put in the next floppy of the set, labeled DISK 1 - SETUP. It didn't work, either. Then I put in a Win98 boot disk; and it worked! This confused me. So, decided to check out those first two disks in a working maching. I couldn't belive it. They were totally empty. I checked all the other 10 disks in the set, and they were OK. I noticed that all the floppies were not write-protected (from the factory!). Somehow, at sometime, these two floppies were erased...CRAP. Now I'm screwed, right? It's a legal copy, with the key; but two of the disks are dead, and I have no copies. What can I do? Can I get a copy of these disks from Microsoft Downloads?

[tetonbob]

Ugh.....after all that effort, too. Umm.......maybe EBay. I'm sure you could get a set for less than $20. But, you may as well try to get Win98 at that point. It is a much better OS than 95, IMO.

You could try trolling newsgroups to find someone who has and would be willing to zip up and email you the first 2 disks.

I don't know for sure, but I doubt M$ will help you. You could try emailing them.

[DRIFT-O-MATIC]

Thanks for the advice, tetonbob. I do have a legal copy of W98, but it is presently running on a machine in my home. Would I be able to legally install 98 on this old machine and give it to an old lady that wants to use it for e-mailing at her home? Even if I did it anyway, would it be able to get critical updates from Microsoft for her?

[tetonbob]

Legally, no, not without another license. The license is the key. The media can be used on more than one PC. You can sometimes find COAs(license) on ebay too. Although for less than $20, it's a pretty cheap deal to get the set of floppies. I checked out ebay, there are plenty.

Don't know what else to tell you. Legally, you have a Win95 license and a Win98 license. You need to find the media for the Win95, somehow. Or, remove/upgrade Win98 on your system to install it, legally, on the box you wish to give to this lady. I feel you, mon.