Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not theD?

[Guest Mart]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Shane (and Gumby), I'm sorry if I appeared to have be 'sounding-off' or

unfairly criticising Gumby and I certainly don't want to get involved in a

flame war. But we seem to have discussed all practicable options to death,

albeit on a somewhat protracted (for whatever reason) thread. We can only

await Gumby's response with his conclusions - either workable or

unworkable - whichever route he chooses, before we can comment (or advise)

further. It's just that we could have saved a few column inches if Gumby's

circumstances had been made a little clearer in the first place.

 

Mart

 

 

"Shane" <shanebeatson@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:O0xYjIGNJHA.5428@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Mart,

>

> I don't want to go back through the entire thread to work out what was

> justifiable or what was intuitive or whatever else whichmore and insoforth

> as can be ascertained, but I have been operating all along on the basis

> that

> Gumby did not have a desktop of his own. A cybercafe did not occur to me

> as

> a possibility - but luckily I get off on learning something new every day,

> so I'm quite pleased to have been wrong. I had supposed he'd be borrowing

> a

> friend or acquaintance's computer time to do the deed.

>

> Shane

>

>

> "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote in message

> news:%23LWQM7FNJHA.4772@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>> Challenge all you like, but in your second post you said :-

>>

>> > .. If I tried to install it from an XP desktop,

>> > with the laptop HD connected to USB,

>> > I don't know if it would work.

>>

>> That statement, in conjunction with the fact that you seem to be able to

>> post to and correspond with this News Group, make it pretty reasonable

>> for

>> one to ASS-U-ME that you implied that you had an XP (or some other)

> machine

>> of your own available.

>>

>> And, you've already got your own solution anyway!

>> > I put the HD in a USB box and plug it

>> > into XP desktops at cybercafes.

>>

>> > The laptop is my only computer.

>>

>> Perhaps you could have mentioned these facts in the first place. However,

> as

>> you only drip the important background details and do not appear to have

>> tried any of the suggestions yet - and as we are all going around in

>> circles - then I'm pulling from this thread until or unless you come back

>> with something more positive than "just babbling and theorizing". The

>> topic's pretty much exhausted anyway.

>>

>> Good luck

>>

>> Mart

>>

>>

>> "Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message

>> news:0358b4b2-35f8-4386-9669-246bd28ca06d@t65g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...

>> On Oct 22, 4:10 am, "Mart" <mart(NoSpam)@nospam.nospam> wrote:

>> > Perhaps a bit late in the day now, but - and I don't want to burst the

>> > bubble - maybe another 'lateral solution' (yet another skin of the

>> > cat!)

>> > would have been to simply obtain a 2.5 inch IDE to USB enclosure and

>> > put

>> > your 'original laptop' HDD in it to make and add a portable drive to

> your

>> > XP

>> > box. (Self-powered [uSB buspowered]) Secure too. And forget the laptop!

>>

>> Good idea, Mart, but the only problem is I don't own an XP desktop.

>> The laptop is my only computer. I put the HD in a USB box and plug it

>> into XP desktops at cybercafes. Before someone accuses me of

>> misleading, I challenge anyone to find where I said or implied that I

>> own an XP computer. :o)

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

MowGreen [MVP] wrote:

> Then we apply an update and reboot you. That would make you

> Arturo Seis V.2. <g>

>

 

That would be ironic as I was born where the first V2 of the blitz fell! I'm

not sure whether that makes me a poppy or a mushroom though.

 

Shane

[Guest Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

Just to bring everyone up to date on my fascinating problem... :o)

 

I have been emailing Shane and he has heroically provided me with the

files I need to try to boot DOS. But I am still unclear as to whether

I should format the C drive or not, and, if so, how. I have read that

Windows might not install well if you don't format first. But Shane

points out that if I format C on an external USB box, it might not be

bootable afterwards. So I think now I will just copy his files to my C

drive without deleting the Windows folder and other files that are

currently on the C drive, and see what happens. Shane has also said

that I probably need a Ramdrive to format C from files that reside on

C. And I don't know how to make a Ramdrive, though Shane has said he

would explain how. So...I just want to show you all that I'm really

working on this, so you'll stop getting impatient with me.

[Guest Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very

grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need

to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files

created included these options:

 

1. Windows ME

2. Safe mode

3. Command prompt

4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support

5. Command prompt, ramdrive only

6. Command prompt, minimal boot

 

I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose

ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.

It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I

guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.

 

Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that

I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows

ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative

term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does

start, although I haven't really tested it out yet :o)

 

My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having

performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I

guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files

receive their reward.

 

I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on

the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again

to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,

don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)

 

Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.

You're the best!

[Guest webster72n]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

 

"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:ac522aab-413d-4d4e-a107-563c3a755bd5@p10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

> I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very

> grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need

> to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files

> created included these options:

>

> 1. Windows ME

> 2. Safe mode

> 3. Command prompt

> 4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support

> 5. Command prompt, ramdrive only

> 6. Command prompt, minimal boot

>

> I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose

> ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.

> It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I

> guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.

>

> Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that

> I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows

> ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative

> term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does

> start, although I haven't really tested it out yet :o)

>

> My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having

> performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I

> guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files

> receive their reward.

>

> I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on

> the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again

> to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,

> don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)

>

> Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.

> You're the best!

 

The truth must come out, finally and independently too, except for WinME

being the worst OS: it performs wonders for me and I don't consider myself

as 'the only one'.

 

Harry.

[Guest Mart]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Well done and congratulations Gumby, good to hear that your efforts have

resulted in a successful conclusion.

 

As Harry has reported elsewhere, WinMe - if looked after properly - runs

perfectly well, as other regulars here can attest. It's just had some bad

press.

 

Good luck with it.

 

Mart

 

 

"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:ac522aab-413d-4d4e-a107-563c3a755bd5@p10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

>I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very

> grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need

> to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files

> created included these options:

>

> 1. Windows ME

> 2. Safe mode

> 3. Command prompt

> 4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support

> 5. Command prompt, ramdrive only

> 6. Command prompt, minimal boot

>

> I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose

> ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.

> It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I

> guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.

>

> Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that

> I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows

> ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative

> term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does

> start, although I haven't really tested it out yet :o)

>

> My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having

> performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I

> guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files

> receive their reward.

>

> I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on

> the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again

> to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,

> don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)

>

> Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.

> You're the best!

[Guest Greegor]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

I noticed that this thread was badly fractured

because "alt.windows-me" got dropped from the

crosspost list.

 

I'm glad Shane helped you get it worked out, Gumby!

 

Did you replace the broken hard disk ribbon cable?

[Guest Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Glad to see you have it back, Gumby. I'm not absolutely sure of what you did

but figure that is probably irrelevant.

 

If you want the DOS hack back, just unzip it to the C: drive again (followed

by the US keyboard layout autoexec.bat and config.sys - or edit the ones in

the first zip by right-click/Edit, or double-click/Open With/Notepad and

read the comments in the lowest section of each). The only way they threaten

to cause problems is if you're superstitious - and there are backups of all

files anyway.

 

Shane

 

 

"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:ac522aab-413d-4d4e-a107-563c3a755bd5@p10g2000prf.googlegroups.com...

>I am happy to report that Shane's solution worked, and I am very

> grateful to him and the rest of you. As it turned out, I didn't need

> to know how to make a ramdrive -- The startup menu that Shane's files

> created included these options:

>

> 1. Windows ME

> 2. Safe mode

> 3. Command prompt

> 4. Command prompt, ramdrive, CD-ROM support

> 5. Command prompt, ramdrive only

> 6. Command prompt, minimal boot

>

> I wasn't sure which command prompt option to choose, so I chose

> ramdrive only. Then I switched to D and issued a format c: command.

> It worked, even though this would cannibalize Shane's MS-DOS files. I

> guess it worked because the MS-DOS went into RAM.

>

> Then, again from D, I activated the setup.exe from the install CD that

> I had copied to D. It installed to C and i now have a running Windows

> ME installation (i understand that, with ME, "running" is a relative

> term, it being regarded as the world's worst OS...however it does

> start, although I haven't really tested it out yet :o)

>

> My only regret is that the magical Shane startup files, having

> performed their miracles, then apparently vanished into the ether. I

> guess they went to that ramdrive in the sky where all good boot files

> receive their reward.

>

> I would love to have those wonderful Command prompt options back on

> the system now that it's working. Dare I try to copy them once again

> to my HD? You know that old biblical admonition, if it ain't broke,

> don't fix it! (was that the Bible or Yogi Berra?)

>

> Once again may I express my gratitude to you blokes, especially Shane.

> You're the best!

[Guest Gumby]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

On Oct 24, 5:47 am, Greegor <Greego...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I noticed that this thread was badly fractured

> because "alt.windows-me" got dropped from the

> crosspost list.

>

> I'm glad Shane helped you get it worked out, Gumby!

>

> Did you replace the broken hard disk ribbon cable?

 

No, that can't be replaced, but this fellow did a fine job soldering

the three broken conductive thingies, and it works, though I wouldn't

dare put any pressure on it.

 

Now if only someone could do something about the fact that my

display's hinges are completely broken and the display is totally

loose and looks like it will fall off and break in a minute...and I

tilt it by tying a string to it and the other end to a window

gate...but it only has to last another 2 months! :o)

 

Truly, this laptop has to be seen to be believed! But I'm a strong

believer in using something until it dies, as long as it gets the job

done for me.

[Guest Shane]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

> chooses, before we can comment (or advise) further. It's just that we

> could have saved a few column inches if Gumby's circumstances had

> been made a little clearer in the first place.

 

Possibly. But then it seems to me I waffle on so much myself that when I

read my own posts back *I* can hardly tell what I was talking about!

 

Shane

[Guest Greegor]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, notthe D?

 

On Oct 24, 12:25 pm, Gumby <gumby...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Oct 24, 5:47 am, Greegor <Greego...@gmail.com> wrote:

>

> > I noticed that this thread was badly fractured

> > because "alt.windows-me" got dropped from the

> > crosspost list.

>

> > I'm glad Shane helped you get it worked out, Gumby!

>

> > Did you replace the broken hard disk ribbon cable?

>

> No, that can't be replaced, but this fellow did a fine job soldering

> the three broken conductive thingies, and it works, though I wouldn't

> dare put any pressure on it.

>

> Now if only someone could do something about the fact that my

> display's hinges are completely broken and the display is totally

> loose and looks like it will fall off and break in a minute...and I

> tilt it by tying a string to it and the other end to a window

> gate...but it only has to last another 2 months! :o)

>

> Truly, this laptop has to be seen to be believed! But I'm a strong

> believer in using something until it dies, as long as it gets the job

> done for me.

 

Please post a good photo of it!

[Guest JAD]

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Re: Can I get the ME install CD to only reformat the C partition, not the D?

 

Duct Tape!

 

"Gumby" <gumbygum@gmail.com> wrote in message

news:51cb4044-38c2-4829-aa27-def442003ea1@r15g2000prh.googlegroups.com...

On Oct 24, 5:47 am, Greegor <Greego...@gmail.com> wrote:

> I noticed that this thread was badly fractured

> because "alt.windows-me" got dropped from the

> crosspost list.

>

> I'm glad Shane helped you get it worked out, Gumby!

>

> Did you replace the broken hard disk ribbon cable?

 

No, that can't be replaced, but this fellow did a fine job soldering

the three broken conductive thingies, and it works, though I wouldn't

dare put any pressure on it.

 

Now if only someone could do something about the fact that my

display's hinges are completely broken and the display is totally

loose and looks like it will fall off and break in a minute...and I

tilt it by tying a string to it and the other end to a window

gate...but it only has to last another 2 months! :o)

 

Truly, this laptop has to be seen to be believed! But I'm a strong

believer in using something until it dies, as long as it gets the job

done for me.