Computer Failure

February 19, 2008

For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a secondary

Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored Data.

The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

get the info that I would like to save?

Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

Thank you!

February 19, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

Just install the drive in another machine. Make sure the drive that`s in the

machine is Jumpered/set to master and the drive you want to recover the data

from is set to slave.

"BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

> For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

> problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

> secondary

> Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

> prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

> Data.

> The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

> Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

> get the info that I would like to save?

> Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> Thank you!

>

February 19, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

You fix the existing computer or you insert the drives into a functionining

computer and read off the data. Do you know how to do that?

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

> For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

> problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

> secondary

> Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

> prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

> Data.

> The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

> Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

> get the info that I would like to save?

> Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> Thank you!

>

February 20, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

"kim" wrote:

> Just install the drive in another machine. Make sure the drive that`s in the

> machine is Jumpered/set to master and the drive you want to recover the data

> from is set to slave.

>

> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

> > For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

> > problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

> > secondary

> > Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

> > prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

> > Data.

> > The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

> > Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

> > get the info that I would like to save?

> > Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> > Thank you!

> >

>

I believe to be able to understand what you are saying, Kim.

I will try to do my best.

Thank you!

February 20, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

I am not sure if I can get anywwhere with the troubled machine.

I do have an older one that might still be working and appears to have a

spot for a secondary HD. The one that I am curremtly using is a Sony with a

primary HD with W98ME and a secondary HD for Data storage. Would it be OK to

remove the Secondary HD and attach either the Primary (with W98SE) or

Secondary HD from the troubled computer and be successful?

Thank you for your reply!

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> You fix the existing computer or you insert the drives into a functionining

> computer and read off the data. Do you know how to do that?

>

> --

> Gary S. Terhune

> MS-MVP Shell/User

> http://www.grystmill.com

>

> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

> > For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

> > problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

> > secondary

> > Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

> > prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

> > Data.

> > The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

> > Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

> > get the info that I would like to save?

> > Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> > Thank you!

> >

>

February 20, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

"BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:41CD7E92-5DE4-4253-9579-68F13A1DA6C4@microsoft.com...

>I am not sure if I can get anywwhere with the troubled machine.

> I do have an older one that might still be working and appears to have a

> spot for a secondary HD. The one that I am curremtly using is a Sony with

> a

> primary HD with W98ME and a secondary HD for Data storage. Would it be OK

> to

> remove the Secondary HD and attach either the Primary (with W98SE) or

> Secondary HD from the troubled computer and be successful?

> Thank you for your reply!

Yes Remove iether of the drives from the bad machine and make shure that the

jumpers are set to slave and the drive in the working machine is set to

master. Then connect the end connector of the IDE ribbon cable to the master

and the second connector to the slave and restart the machine.

> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>

>> You fix the existing computer or you insert the drives into a

>> functionining

>> computer and read off the data. Do you know how to do that?

>>

>> --

>> Gary S. Terhune

>> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> http://www.grystmill.com

>>

>> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

>> > For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started

>> > having

>> > problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

>> > secondary

>> > Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them.

>> > The

>> > prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

>> > Data.

>> > The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family

>> > photos.

>> > Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine

>> > and

>> > get the info that I would like to save?

>> > Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

>> > Thank you!

>> >

>>

February 21, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:20:02 -0800, BAP

<BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

>problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a secondary

>Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

>prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored Data.

>The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

>Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

>get the info that I would like to save?

>Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

>Thank you!

YES. but dont try to install them on a real new machine. Some of the

computers made in the last few years dont have drivers for Win98. I'd

find a machine from the same era. In other words it you had them in a

500mhz Pentium II, I'd look for something like an 800mhz Pentium II or

III.

I have the very same installation of Win98se that I installed in 1999.

It was in a Pentium 266mhz. Since then I moved it to another Pentium

266, then to a PII 500mhz, then to a PII 800mhz, and now it's in a

PIII 1000mhz. Every time I have had to insert the Win98 install CD to

get the drivers to work with the motherboard, video card (if changed),

etc....

That's why I like 98. You CAN NOT do that with Win2K, XP or anything

newer. From waht I know, if the XP computer dies, you either have to

find an identical motherboard, or you lose all data (or have to get an

expensive data retrieval company involved). For that reason, I won't

even touch XP or Vista.

I'm not sure of WinME allows for this or not.

The whole issue comes down to the format of the hard drive. If it's a

FAT32, you can still read the data, even from DOS. Actually, you

could boot those drives from DOS and save your photos and stuff, but

you'll lose the long filenames. (Of course they could be renamed back

later if you know what to name them, and have a lot of time to spend).

You did not say what's wrong with your computer, or what speed it is.

Maybe it just needs a new Ram stick or video card or something. Tell

us what's wrong.....

And, YES, you could install Win98se on another computer (from

scratch), and still plug in your secondary hard drive and you'll see

all your data. I actually have one drive that is nothing but storage.

In other words, my OS and programs are on the FIRST harddrive. My

storage is all on a SECOND (slave) drive. I have a 3rd drive, which

is where I moved a bunch of storage when I ran out of space on the

regular one. I just unplugged one of the CD drives, and plugged in

the 3rd drive, moved a bunch of stuff to drive 3, and when I was done,

I unplugged it, plugged back my CD drive and put that drive in a safe

place. I dont burn CDs or DVDs, I just store stuff on harddrives and

have a copy of each drive as a backup. I had too many "homemade" CDs

fail in the past. I dont trust them.

Hope this helps.

February 21, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

I will try to do as you suggest and get back on the outcome.

Thank you!

"kim" wrote:

>

> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:41CD7E92-5DE4-4253-9579-68F13A1DA6C4@microsoft.com...

> >I am not sure if I can get anywwhere with the troubled machine.

> > I do have an older one that might still be working and appears to have a

> > spot for a secondary HD. The one that I am curremtly using is a Sony with

> > a

> > primary HD with W98ME and a secondary HD for Data storage. Would it be OK

> > to

> > remove the Secondary HD and attach either the Primary (with W98SE) or

> > Secondary HD from the troubled computer and be successful?

> > Thank you for your reply!

>

> Yes Remove iether of the drives from the bad machine and make shure that the

> jumpers are set to slave and the drive in the working machine is set to

> master. Then connect the end connector of the IDE ribbon cable to the master

> and the second connector to the slave and restart the machine.

>

> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> >

> >> You fix the existing computer or you insert the drives into a

> >> functionining

> >> computer and read off the data. Do you know how to do that?

> >>

> >> --

> >> Gary S. Terhune

> >> MS-MVP Shell/User

> >> http://www.grystmill.com

> >>

> >> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

> >> > For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started

> >> > having

> >> > problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

> >> > secondary

> >> > Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them.

> >> > The

> >> > prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

> >> > Data.

> >> > The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family

> >> > photos.

> >> > Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine

> >> > and

> >> > get the info that I would like to save?

> >> > Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> >> > Thank you!

> >> >

> >>

>

February 21, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

I will need some time to digest what you are saying.

Thank you for your reply!

As far as the other machine ...it was assembled by Microtime...no longsr in

the area.... in 1999. A 400 MHZ. A month or so back, the color schemes began

misbehaving...at times at bootup time, later while in session. It kept

swithcing from correct shade to no color, at all. By moving the Monitor or

the Tower, it appeared to restore the color, but not always. I re-installed

the Video Drivers, but no go. Suspecting loose connections, I opened the case

and re-seated the cards and the cables attachements. That appeared to do some

good, but soon it started misbehaving, again. In the meantime, the system had

stopped seeing the Iomega Zip drive and the CD Drive. Twice I reseated the

cables on those units (power and signal), but no go. On one occasion, while

the Computer was on, I removed the power cable of the Iomega Drive and while

re-attaching it, I must have touched a bad spot, since the power to the tower

was cut off. A short, perhaps. That was it!

"letterman@invalid.com" wrote:

> On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:20:02 -0800, BAP

> <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>

> >For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

> >problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a secondary

> >Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

> >prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored Data.

> >The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

> >Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

> >get the info that I would like to save?

> >Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> >Thank you!

>

> YES. but dont try to install them on a real new machine. Some of the

> computers made in the last few years dont have drivers for Win98. I'd

> find a machine from the same era. In other words it you had them in a

> 500mhz Pentium II, I'd look for something like an 800mhz Pentium II or

> III.

>

> I have the very same installation of Win98se that I installed in 1999.

> It was in a Pentium 266mhz. Since then I moved it to another Pentium

> 266, then to a PII 500mhz, then to a PII 800mhz, and now it's in a

> PIII 1000mhz. Every time I have had to insert the Win98 install CD to

> get the drivers to work with the motherboard, video card (if changed),

> etc....

>

> That's why I like 98. You CAN NOT do that with Win2K, XP or anything

> newer. From waht I know, if the XP computer dies, you either have to

> find an identical motherboard, or you lose all data (or have to get an

> expensive data retrieval company involved). For that reason, I won't

> even touch XP or Vista.

>

> I'm not sure of WinME allows for this or not.

>

> The whole issue comes down to the format of the hard drive. If it's a

> FAT32, you can still read the data, even from DOS. Actually, you

> could boot those drives from DOS and save your photos and stuff, but

> you'll lose the long filenames. (Of course they could be renamed back

> later if you know what to name them, and have a lot of time to spend).

>

> You did not say what's wrong with your computer, or what speed it is.

> Maybe it just needs a new Ram stick or video card or something. Tell

> us what's wrong.....

>

> And, YES, you could install Win98se on another computer (from

> scratch), and still plug in your secondary hard drive and you'll see

> all your data. I actually have one drive that is nothing but storage.

> In other words, my OS and programs are on the FIRST harddrive. My

> storage is all on a SECOND (slave) drive. I have a 3rd drive, which

> is where I moved a bunch of storage when I ran out of space on the

> regular one. I just unplugged one of the CD drives, and plugged in

> the 3rd drive, moved a bunch of stuff to drive 3, and when I was done,

> I unplugged it, plugged back my CD drive and put that drive in a safe

> place. I dont burn CDs or DVDs, I just store stuff on harddrives and

> have a copy of each drive as a backup. I had too many "homemade" CDs

> fail in the past. I dont trust them.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

February 21, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

"BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:618AD7DC-73EC-402E-8FD3-73D68B4BB9D5@microsoft.com...

| I will need some time to digest what you are saying.

| Thank you for your reply!

| As far as the other machine ...it was assembled by Microtime...no longsr

in

| the area.... in 1999. A 400 MHZ. A month or so back, the color schemes

began

| misbehaving...at times at bootup time, later while in session. It kept

| swithcing from correct shade to no color, at all. By moving the Monitor or

| the Tower, it appeared to restore the color, but not always. I

re-installed

| the Video Drivers, but no go. Suspecting loose connections, I opened the

case

| and re-seated the cards and the cables attachements. That appeared to do

some

| good, but soon it started misbehaving, again.

A potential cause could be the connectors. They rely upon two *fingers*

inside the connecotrs for each pin, pressing upon the outside of the pin.

The weight of the cord will over time cause these fingers to expand.[in

addition to hot and cold] causing poor connections. Another would be the

known value of corrosion and its effect on these same parts. Additionally,

the monitor connectors MAY have broken their soldered connection.

Another would be, particularly if the cord drapes over the back of a desk,

the potential break of the internal wires in the cord. This also places

addition stress on those connectins. Moving the computer or montitor may

cause these issues to temporarily seem to be fixed.

| In the meantime, the system had

| stopped seeing the Iomega Zip drive and the CD Drive. Twice I reseated the

| cables on those units (power and signal), but no go. On one occasion,

while

| the Computer was on, I removed the power cable of the Iomega Drive and

while

| re-attaching it, I must have touched a bad spot, since the power to the

tower

| was cut off. A short, perhaps. That was it!

Well, depending upon how familiar you are with power supplies, you may have

caused a short which has blown out one of the internal fuses. If you're

interested, check those, IF what you're indicating is that this old computer

will no longer start or boot..

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

_________

|

| "letterman@invalid.com" wrote:

|

| > On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:20:02 -0800, BAP

| > <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

| >

| > >For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started

having

| > >problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

secondary

| > >Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them.

The

| > >prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

Data.

| > >The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family

photos.

| > >Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine

and

| > >get the info that I would like to save?

| > >Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

| > >Thank you!

| >

| > YES. but dont try to install them on a real new machine. Some of the

| > computers made in the last few years dont have drivers for Win98. I'd

| > find a machine from the same era. In other words it you had them in a

| > 500mhz Pentium II, I'd look for something like an 800mhz Pentium II or

| > III.

| >

| > I have the very same installation of Win98se that I installed in 1999.

| > It was in a Pentium 266mhz. Since then I moved it to another Pentium

| > 266, then to a PII 500mhz, then to a PII 800mhz, and now it's in a

| > PIII 1000mhz. Every time I have had to insert the Win98 install CD to

| > get the drivers to work with the motherboard, video card (if changed),

| > etc....

| >

| > That's why I like 98. You CAN NOT do that with Win2K, XP or anything

| > newer. From waht I know, if the XP computer dies, you either have to

| > find an identical motherboard, or you lose all data (or have to get an

| > expensive data retrieval company involved). For that reason, I won't

| > even touch XP or Vista.

| >

| > I'm not sure of WinME allows for this or not.

| >

| > The whole issue comes down to the format of the hard drive. If it's a

| > FAT32, you can still read the data, even from DOS. Actually, you

| > could boot those drives from DOS and save your photos and stuff, but

| > you'll lose the long filenames. (Of course they could be renamed back

| > later if you know what to name them, and have a lot of time to spend).

| >

| > You did not say what's wrong with your computer, or what speed it is.

| > Maybe it just needs a new Ram stick or video card or something. Tell

| > us what's wrong.....

| >

| > And, YES, you could install Win98se on another computer (from

| > scratch), and still plug in your secondary hard drive and you'll see

| > all your data. I actually have one drive that is nothing but storage.

| > In other words, my OS and programs are on the FIRST harddrive. My

| > storage is all on a SECOND (slave) drive. I have a 3rd drive, which

| > is where I moved a bunch of storage when I ran out of space on the

| > regular one. I just unplugged one of the CD drives, and plugged in

| > the 3rd drive, moved a bunch of stuff to drive 3, and when I was done,

| > I unplugged it, plugged back my CD drive and put that drive in a safe

| > place. I dont burn CDs or DVDs, I just store stuff on harddrives and

| > have a copy of each drive as a backup. I had too many "homemade" CDs

| > fail in the past. I dont trust them.

| >

| > Hope this helps.

| >

February 22, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

"MEB", a strange thing happened after I moved the Computer and Monitor to

another location. I reconnected everything, powered them up and,

surprisingly, it did re-start. However, like before, the Monitor light from

'green' changed to 'red' and the tower would make a clicking sound and no-go.

And, like before, I had to coordinate the timing of powering up the two

components in order to get the system to boot properly. However, on the first

successful boot, like before, the CD and Zip drives were not seen, although

they responded in accepting and releasing the disks. Currently, however, it

just boots up to a point where it warns that the Keyboard is not attached and

that's it. I tried another keyboard, but...no-go.

If I want to pursue it, I will need to disconnect all the cables, dust up

all that I can, re-cable all and see what happens.

Thank you, "MEB", but I am not sure about it all.

"MEB" wrote:

>

> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:618AD7DC-73EC-402E-8FD3-73D68B4BB9D5@microsoft.com...

> | I will need some time to digest what you are saying.

> | Thank you for your reply!

> | As far as the other machine ...it was assembled by Microtime...no longsr

> in

> | the area.... in 1999. A 400 MHZ. A month or so back, the color schemes

> began

> | misbehaving...at times at bootup time, later while in session. It kept

> | swithcing from correct shade to no color, at all. By moving the Monitor or

> | the Tower, it appeared to restore the color, but not always. I

> re-installed

> | the Video Drivers, but no go. Suspecting loose connections, I opened the

> case

> | and re-seated the cards and the cables attachements. That appeared to do

> some

> | good, but soon it started misbehaving, again.

>

> A potential cause could be the connectors. They rely upon two *fingers*

> inside the connecotrs for each pin, pressing upon the outside of the pin.

> The weight of the cord will over time cause these fingers to expand.[in

> addition to hot and cold] causing poor connections. Another would be the

> known value of corrosion and its effect on these same parts. Additionally,

> the monitor connectors MAY have broken their soldered connection.

> Another would be, particularly if the cord drapes over the back of a desk,

> the potential break of the internal wires in the cord. This also places

> addition stress on those connectins. Moving the computer or montitor may

> cause these issues to temporarily seem to be fixed.

>

> | In the meantime, the system had

> | stopped seeing the Iomega Zip drive and the CD Drive. Twice I reseated the

> | cables on those units (power and signal), but no go. On one occasion,

> while

> | the Computer was on, I removed the power cable of the Iomega Drive and

> while

> | re-attaching it, I must have touched a bad spot, since the power to the

> tower

> | was cut off. A short, perhaps. That was it!

>

> Well, depending upon how familiar you are with power supplies, you may have

> caused a short which has blown out one of the internal fuses. If you're

> interested, check those, IF what you're indicating is that this old computer

> will no longer start or boot..

>

> --

>

> MEB

> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

> _________

>

> |

> | "letterman@invalid.com" wrote:

> |

> | > On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:20:02 -0800, BAP

> | > <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> | >

> | > >For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started

> having

> | > >problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

> secondary

> | > >Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them.

> The

> | > >prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

> Data.

> | > >The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family

> photos.

> | > >Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine

> and

> | > >get the info that I would like to save?

> | > >Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

> | > >Thank you!

> | >

> | > YES. but dont try to install them on a real new machine. Some of the

> | > computers made in the last few years dont have drivers for Win98. I'd

> | > find a machine from the same era. In other words it you had them in a

> | > 500mhz Pentium II, I'd look for something like an 800mhz Pentium II or

> | > III.

> | >

> | > I have the very same installation of Win98se that I installed in 1999.

> | > It was in a Pentium 266mhz. Since then I moved it to another Pentium

> | > 266, then to a PII 500mhz, then to a PII 800mhz, and now it's in a

> | > PIII 1000mhz. Every time I have had to insert the Win98 install CD to

> | > get the drivers to work with the motherboard, video card (if changed),

> | > etc....

> | >

> | > That's why I like 98. You CAN NOT do that with Win2K, XP or anything

> | > newer. From waht I know, if the XP computer dies, you either have to

> | > find an identical motherboard, or you lose all data (or have to get an

> | > expensive data retrieval company involved). For that reason, I won't

> | > even touch XP or Vista.

> | >

> | > I'm not sure of WinME allows for this or not.

> | >

> | > The whole issue comes down to the format of the hard drive. If it's a

> | > FAT32, you can still read the data, even from DOS. Actually, you

> | > could boot those drives from DOS and save your photos and stuff, but

> | > you'll lose the long filenames. (Of course they could be renamed back

> | > later if you know what to name them, and have a lot of time to spend).

> | >

> | > You did not say what's wrong with your computer, or what speed it is.

> | > Maybe it just needs a new Ram stick or video card or something. Tell

> | > us what's wrong.....

> | >

> | > And, YES, you could install Win98se on another computer (from

> | > scratch), and still plug in your secondary hard drive and you'll see

> | > all your data. I actually have one drive that is nothing but storage.

> | > In other words, my OS and programs are on the FIRST harddrive. My

> | > storage is all on a SECOND (slave) drive. I have a 3rd drive, which

> | > is where I moved a bunch of storage when I ran out of space on the

> | > regular one. I just unplugged one of the CD drives, and plugged in

> | > the 3rd drive, moved a bunch of stuff to drive 3, and when I was done,

> | > I unplugged it, plugged back my CD drive and put that drive in a safe

> | > place. I dont burn CDs or DVDs, I just store stuff on harddrives and

> | > have a copy of each drive as a backup. I had too many "homemade" CDs

> | > fail in the past. I dont trust them.

> | >

> | > Hope this helps.

> | >

>

February 22, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

"BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:07352F95-BB00-4FB9-A0BC-8C28FE419DA7@microsoft.com...

| "MEB", a strange thing happened after I moved the Computer and Monitor to

| another location. I reconnected everything, powered them up and,

| surprisingly, it did re-start. However, like before, the Monitor light

from

| 'green' changed to 'red' and the tower would make a clicking sound and

no-go.

| And, like before, I had to coordinate the timing of powering up the two

| components in order to get the system to boot properly. However, on the

first

| successful boot, like before, the CD and Zip drives were not seen,

although

| they responded in accepting and releasing the disks. Currently, however,

it

| just boots up to a point where it warns that the Keyboard is not attached

and

| that's it. I tried another keyboard, but...no-go.

| If I want to pursue it, I will need to disconnect all the cables, dust up

| all that I can, re-cable all and see what happens.

| Thank you, "MEB", but I am not sure about it all.

|

Oh, okay, then if you decide to attempt this at some future date there may

be something else to try.

As you appear to get an initial finding of the peripherals except the

keyboard on POST you might try to refresh the BIOS with a BIOS flash for

that motherboard. This would be accomplished with a floppy disk created to

automatically boot and flash the motherboard. At this point it appears that

this may be a potential fix as there have been findings related to

successful use of this technique to reset corrupted BIOS due to electrical

issues, spikes, etc..

First, if at all possible, remove the CMOS battery for about 10 minutes to

completely remove any old settings, re-insert after checking whether it is

still good [generally 3+ volts] replace if needed [likely CR2032], and run

the floppy flash disk. Remember to re-set any Bios settings if this appears

to initially correct the issues.

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

_________

|

| "MEB" wrote:

|

| >

| > "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

| > news:618AD7DC-73EC-402E-8FD3-73D68B4BB9D5@microsoft.com...

| > | I will need some time to digest what you are saying.

| > | Thank you for your reply!

| > | As far as the other machine ...it was assembled by Microtime...no

longsr

| > in

| > | the area.... in 1999. A 400 MHZ. A month or so back, the color schemes

| > began

| > | misbehaving...at times at bootup time, later while in session. It kept

| > | swithcing from correct shade to no color, at all. By moving the

Monitor or

| > | the Tower, it appeared to restore the color, but not always. I

| > re-installed

| > | the Video Drivers, but no go. Suspecting loose connections, I opened

the

| > case

| > | and re-seated the cards and the cables attachements. That appeared to

do

| > some

| > | good, but soon it started misbehaving, again.

| >

| > A potential cause could be the connectors. They rely upon two *fingers*

| > inside the connecotrs for each pin, pressing upon the outside of the

pin.

| > The weight of the cord will over time cause these fingers to expand.[in

| > addition to hot and cold] causing poor connections. Another would be the

| > known value of corrosion and its effect on these same parts.

Additionally,

| > the monitor connectors MAY have broken their soldered connection.

| > Another would be, particularly if the cord drapes over the back of a

desk,

| > the potential break of the internal wires in the cord. This also places

| > addition stress on those connectins. Moving the computer or montitor may

| > cause these issues to temporarily seem to be fixed.

| >

| > | In the meantime, the system had

| > | stopped seeing the Iomega Zip drive and the CD Drive. Twice I reseated

the

| > | cables on those units (power and signal), but no go. On one occasion,

| > while

| > | the Computer was on, I removed the power cable of the Iomega Drive and

| > while

| > | re-attaching it, I must have touched a bad spot, since the power to

the

| > tower

| > | was cut off. A short, perhaps. That was it!

| >

| > Well, depending upon how familiar you are with power supplies, you may

have

| > caused a short which has blown out one of the internal fuses. If you're

| > interested, check those, IF what you're indicating is that this old

computer

| > will no longer start or boot..

| >

| > --

| >

| > MEB

| > http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

| > _________

| >

| > |

| > | "letterman@invalid.com" wrote:

| > |

| > | > On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:20:02 -0800, BAP

| > | > <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

| > | >

| > | > >For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started

| > having

| > | > >problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

| > secondary

| > | > >Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from

them.

| > The

| > | > >prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good

stored

| > Data.

| > | > >The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family

| > photos.

| > | > >Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another

machine

| > and

| > | > >get the info that I would like to save?

| > | > >Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

| > | > >Thank you!

| > | >

| > | > YES. but dont try to install them on a real new machine. Some of

the

| > | > computers made in the last few years dont have drivers for Win98.

I'd

| > | > find a machine from the same era. In other words it you had them in

a

| > | > 500mhz Pentium II, I'd look for something like an 800mhz Pentium II

or

| > | > III.

| > | >

| > | > I have the very same installation of Win98se that I installed in

1999.

| > | > It was in a Pentium 266mhz. Since then I moved it to another

Pentium

| > | > 266, then to a PII 500mhz, then to a PII 800mhz, and now it's in a

| > | > PIII 1000mhz. Every time I have had to insert the Win98 install CD

to

| > | > get the drivers to work with the motherboard, video card (if

changed),

| > | > etc....

| > | >

| > | > That's why I like 98. You CAN NOT do that with Win2K, XP or

anything

| > | > newer. From waht I know, if the XP computer dies, you either have

to

| > | > find an identical motherboard, or you lose all data (or have to get

an

| > | > expensive data retrieval company involved). For that reason, I

won't

| > | > even touch XP or Vista.

| > | >

| > | > I'm not sure of WinME allows for this or not.

| > | >

| > | > The whole issue comes down to the format of the hard drive. If it's

a

| > | > FAT32, you can still read the data, even from DOS. Actually, you

| > | > could boot those drives from DOS and save your photos and stuff, but

| > | > you'll lose the long filenames. (Of course they could be renamed

back

| > | > later if you know what to name them, and have a lot of time to

spend).

| > | >

| > | > You did not say what's wrong with your computer, or what speed it

is.

| > | > Maybe it just needs a new Ram stick or video card or something.

Tell

| > | > us what's wrong.....

| > | >

| > | > And, YES, you could install Win98se on another computer (from

| > | > scratch), and still plug in your secondary hard drive and you'll see

| > | > all your data. I actually have one drive that is nothing but

storage.

| > | > In other words, my OS and programs are on the FIRST harddrive. My

| > | > storage is all on a SECOND (slave) drive. I have a 3rd drive, which

| > | > is where I moved a bunch of storage when I ran out of space on the

| > | > regular one. I just unplugged one of the CD drives, and plugged in

| > | > the 3rd drive, moved a bunch of stuff to drive 3, and when I was

done,

| > | > I unplugged it, plugged back my CD drive and put that drive in a

safe

| > | > place. I dont burn CDs or DVDs, I just store stuff on harddrives

and

| > | > have a copy of each drive as a backup. I had too many "homemade"

CDs

| > | > fail in the past. I dont trust them.

| > | >

| > | > Hope this helps.

| > | >

| >

February 23, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

Yes. Just make sure you jumper them properly EACH TIME you make any changes

in the hookups. Note that you will have to move the data to the Primary

(your main operating drive). Is there enough room there?

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:41CD7E92-5DE4-4253-9579-68F13A1DA6C4@microsoft.com...

>I am not sure if I can get anywwhere with the troubled machine.

> I do have an older one that might still be working and appears to have a

> spot for a secondary HD. The one that I am curremtly using is a Sony with

> a

> primary HD with W98ME and a secondary HD for Data storage. Would it be OK

> to

> remove the Secondary HD and attach either the Primary (with W98SE) or

> Secondary HD from the troubled computer and be successful?

> Thank you for your reply!

>

> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>

>> You fix the existing computer or you insert the drives into a

>> functionining

>> computer and read off the data. Do you know how to do that?

>>

>> --

>> Gary S. Terhune

>> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> http://www.grystmill.com

>>

>> "BAP" <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:6CA9ADED-E25C-43A8-A8FF-9C22E794287D@microsoft.com...

>> > For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started

>> > having

>> > problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

>> > secondary

>> > Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them.

>> > The

>> > prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

>> > Data.

>> > The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family

>> > photos.

>> > Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine

>> > and

>> > get the info that I would like to save?

>> > Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

>> > Thank you!

>> >

>>

February 23, 2008

Re: Computer Failure

<letterman@invalid.com> wrote in message

news:2kaqr31m82ubqlbmhrph3rruuvqaaitecl@4ax.com...

> On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:20:02 -0800, BAP

> <BAP@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>

>>For some time I have been using a Machine that has suddenly started having

>>problems and is, currently, not functioning. It had a primary and a

>>secondary

>>Hard Disks with a lot of Data that I would like to retrieve from them. The

>>prinmary has the Operating System (W98SE), along with other good stored

>>Data.

>>The Secondary Disk has a lot of saved information and many family photos.

>>Is there an easy way for me to install these disks on another machine and

>>get the info that I would like to save?

>>Yes, I will back all up on CD's, once the job is done!

>>Thank you!

>

> YES. but dont try to install them on a real new machine. Some of the

> computers made in the last few years dont have drivers for Win98. I'd

> find a machine from the same era. In other words it you had them in a

> 500mhz Pentium II, I'd look for something like an 800mhz Pentium II or

> III.

Installing the drives in a new system as the operating system is always a

mess and seldom totally successful. Adding the drives to a machine with an

existing OS is the way to do it.

> I have the very same installation of Win98se that I installed in 1999.

> It was in a Pentium 266mhz. Since then I moved it to another Pentium

> 266, then to a PII 500mhz, then to a PII 800mhz, and now it's in a

> PIII 1000mhz. Every time I have had to insert the Win98 install CD to

> get the drivers to work with the motherboard, video card (if changed),

> etc....

>

> That's why I like 98. You CAN NOT do that with Win2K, XP or anything

> newer. From waht I know, if the XP computer dies, you either have to

> find an identical motherboard, or you lose all data (or have to get an

> expensive data retrieval company involved). For that reason, I won't

> even touch XP or Vista.

Pure, unadulterated BS. I do it all the time and it works a LOT better than

Windows 98's methods. I can take WinXP OS disk, stick it in damned near any

XP-ready machine, and it will automatically update all drivers and start

running as if it was still in the old machine. And you can read all the

files just fine. So, if your "bad" machine is Win9x (and thus FAT or FAT32),

you can put the entire set of disks into another machine and go through

nightmares getting it to run (new drivers and all), or you can put the disks

into ANY other system that can read FAT/FAT32 and read the files just fine,

presuming data recovery is your only goal.