Crashed Computer

[docmary]

Before going out of town this weekend I went to my Norton Anti Virus program Update - well I had not run this program since adding Windows ME - UNFORTUNANELY I HAVE NOT BACKED UP IN 3 MONTHS EITHER. I hope someone can help me.
Here is what happened:
I went to Update a box popped up asking if I updated my OS and I clicked yes -
I walked away while the computer updated at the Norton site - came back an hour later and was prompted to restart the computer - so I did.
When it restarted the following was on my screen:
C:\>SET windir=C:\WINDOWS
C:\>SET WINDBOOTDIR=C:\WINDOWS
C:\>SET COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
C:\>SET PROMPT=$p$G
C:\>SET TEMP=C:windows\TEMP
C:\>SET TMP=c:\windows\TEMP
C:\>SET PATH=c:\windows;c:\windows\COMMAND;c:\ibmtools;c:\
c:\SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T4
c:\> tHIS VERSION OF wINDOWS RUNS ONLY ON ms-dos 8.00
C:\>
I turned the computer off and left out of town. Upon returning I turned the computer on - the Aptiva IBM window cames up, then the MS Windows - then the screen above.
Any suggestions? Thanks!!
-Mary

[ironside]

Hello docmary
Did you get the boot disk and get to a C: promt yet.
if you did you can do a DIR under C: and that will show all of your folders,hopefully windows is still there.
hears what it sounds like to me,for some reason your anti virus set your windows into a temperory folder and now the boot log cant find it to start windows,
So still the first thing to do is check C: and make sure windows is still there.

------------------
Moderator on the CTH Med&Dev General Discussion Board (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Mediate+|AMP|+Deviate&number=1)
and at
ferrets (http://pub20.ezboard.com/bferretscomputerstuff)
the cookie ladys (http://pub40.ezboard.com/bharriesplace)

[docmary]

Hi Iron,
Thanks again for your help.
I typed in dir at the c prompt like you suggested and here is what I got:
REIGEL~1 HTM
REIGEL~1 <DIR>
WS_FTP <DIR>
MYMUSI <DIR>
HTML <DIR>
DESKTOP <DIR>
FASTUNT FFL
MYDOWN~1 <DIR>
INDIAN~1
NEWBRI~1 <DIR>
ADOBE <DIR>
FRONTPG LOG
NETSIG TXT
IMBCDROM INI
DRIVEZ LOG
FOUND LOG
DRIVERS <DIR>
HMTEST <DIR>
CONFIG BAK
PAUL_S~1 <DIR>
WINDOW~1 BMK
34 file(s) 11,404,079 bytes
40 dir(s) 2,081.05 MB free

Does this sound good or should I look for a new job?
-Mary

[ironside]

well windows is still there now we need one of our tech gurus to show up and tell you how to fix it.
You said that its windows ME which means you dont have DOS.
ok try going into window through safe mode soon as the computer starts to boot press F8
that should open a menu from there pick start computer in safe mode if you get in let me know.

------------------
Moderator on the CTH Med&Dev General Discussion Board (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Mediate+|AMP|+Deviate&number=1)
and at
ferrets (http://pub20.ezboard.com/bferretscomputerstuff)
the cookie ladys (http://pub40.ezboard.com/bharriesplace)

[docmary]

Hi Ironside,
Thanks again for your response.
I tried - the option for safe mode comes up but it won't go into safe mode. I will continue trying following your suggestion and if anything changes I will let you know. Maybe someone else out there might have a suggestion. I am desperate - I called two help desks and both want me to reformat - I would lose everything! Too young to die.
Thanks again.
-Docmary

[ironside]

yes don't give up yet!
I still think there is a way to get you going again or at least to save some of your information.
somebody will be along to help.

------------------
Moderator on the CTH Med&Dev General Discussion Board (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Mediate+|AMP|+Deviate&number=1)
and at
ferrets (http://pub20.ezboard.com/bferretscomputerstuff)
the cookie ladys (http://pub40.ezboard.com/bharriesplace)

[docmary]

Refer to ME forum as well.
kaz101 and Ironside,
Thanks to both of you - my computer is up and running and did not lose a thing. I followed both of your suggestions. The guy who installed my ME did not make me a boot disk, so I installed my ME on my son's computer to create a boot disk - the put the boot disk in my computer and followed the instructions on the following article (suggested by kaz101) http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q274/2/97.asp
Thanks again! I am back in business!