howiedo1n Posted January 24, 2005 Report Share Posted January 24, 2005 I tried formatting my hard drive and got an error part of the way through and the machine locked up. I try to boot from my A:/ and C:/ but all seem to fail due to some missing windows files (himam.sys, dblbuff.sys, ifshlp.sys). It seems as though I lost the DOS O.S. I no longer have the C: nor can I get it or the a: for that matter. All I get now is C> What the heck is this and what can I do to format the drive? It also tells me to type the name of the command interpreter (e.g. c: \windows\command.com). Any help would be really appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buck Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Do you have your Windows disk? If so, set your PCs BIOS to boot from the CD first and follow the on screen instructions. After you accept the agreement you'll have the option to format the drive. After the format is complete the OS will install. Let me know if you have any questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howiedo1n Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 Do you have your Windows disk? If so' date=' set your PCs BIOS to boot from the CD first and follow the on screen instructions. After you accept the agreement you'll have the option to format the drive. After the format is complete the OS will install. Let me know if you have any questions.[/quote'] I tried that as well and it said, "Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM: Failure.... The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\DBLBUFF.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM Type the name of the command interpreter (e.g. c: \windows\command.com) C>" Why is the C:\ now a C> and non of the DOS commands working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kain rising Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 If you formatted the HD completely, then DOS would have been wiped out as well. (I think.) What you might need is a boot disk for the floppy drive A: that has a format utility on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howiedo1n Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 If you formatted the HD completely, then DOS would have been wiped out as well. (I think.) What you might need is a boot disk for the floppy drive A: that has a format utility on it. I kind of thought that would do it too. But I dont seem to get anywhere with the C>... I am ok when it comes to the PC and DOS but I am lost here..? I tried that floppy and changed it to boot from A, but I got the same message. Thanks for all the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 what's on the floppy disk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howiedo1n Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 what's on the floppy disk? MY other PC has XP and if I insert the floppy in the drive right click on A: to format that disk it will give the option to make it a bootable floppy. That was what was on that disk I tried. I am at a lose of words.. I was tring to avoid tossing it all together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kain rising Posted January 25, 2005 Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I don't know if these will help, given the problems you seem to be having with the floppy drive, but here's the link where you can get the program to create Windows XP setup disks. If they work (painfully slowly) they should get you to the point where you can install from the CD. EDIT: If you can manage to get a boot from the A: prompt working, you may want to check with your drive manufacturer and see if they have a low level format utility - at this point might be safest to start completely from scratch if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howiedo1n Posted January 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2005 I don't know if these will help' date=' given the problems you seem to be having with the floppy drive, but here's the link where you can get the program to create Windows XP setup disks. If they work (painfully slowly) they should get you to the point where you can install from the CD. EDIT: If you can manage to get a boot from the A: prompt working, you may want to check with your drive manufacturer and see if they have a low level format utility - at this point might be safest to start completely from scratch if you can. Thanks Ill try that today and Ill keep you posted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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