The Old Joel on Software Forum: Part 4 (of 5) - My windows system have crashed out.

My windows system have crashed out.

Hi all.
My computer(win98) has crashed out 2 days ago, and I couldn't launch my computer anymore. I have copied some ms-dos file from c:\windows\command\ into the root directory so that I can enter ms-dos (but strangely I can still view windows logo at startup).

I don't know if a computer can crashed out with no reason a day, but mine is quite strange. The sub-directories of c:\windows have changed into some ascii characters such as does with alt+xxx. I don't know if it's a virus, do I have any chance of losing some files? ( I think that since the computer is not working no information is copied to memory so there is no activity, so, if it is a virus, it can't do anything to my files, except that I'm wrong). If it is a virus, then the antivirus AVG is not a good one.

As I have copied randomly dos files in the root dir(to be able to launch ms-dos) , I would like to know what are the real necessary files?
And also, how to set the volume level in dos?

Thanks for all, in advance.

victor NOAGBODJI
Sunday, May 2, 2004

Yesterday it worked
Today it is not working
Windows is like that

( http://www.gnu.org/fun/jokes/error-haiku.html )

Eric Debois
Sunday, May 2, 2004

Could be almost anything. If you keep AVG up-to-date it should catch any virus.

It might even be a video card problem.

My advice is to copy all documents you don't have a copy of as quickly as possible., and keep them safe. Then try troubleshooting from safe mode, if you can. If that doesn't help try restoring Windows on top of itself.

If you have no luck with that, then try a clean format and reinstall.

Stephen Jones
Sunday, May 2, 2004

You have automatic windows updates? Could be the 100% cpu problem?

message poster
Sunday, May 2, 2004

You mean this 100% CPU problem that only affects Windows 2000?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=841382

(Read the original post... not running Windows 2000.)

Brad Wilson (dotnetguy.techieswithcats.com)
Sunday, May 2, 2004

what was that command again to start windows from dos? win.exe? Try that.

someone
Sunday, May 2, 2004

For $100/hr, I'll fix your computer.

Of course, I'll probably only end up reinstalling Win98.

Alyosha`
Monday, May 3, 2004