Guest lutra Posted March 26, 2008 Posted March 26, 2008 Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get my computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it goes to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the F8, the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone asked if I had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I should respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation extended to those who are in the know!!
Guest MEB Posted March 26, 2008 Posted March 26, 2008 Re: boot disk "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... | Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get my | computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it goes | to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the F8, | the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone asked if I | had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start | trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I should | respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation extended to | those who are in the know!! | As you posted your model and other previously, you apparently know or have the manual, and are somewhat familiar with your computer. Go into the BIOS/CMOS [check that manual if you don't know how] and set for boot from floppy, e.g., *boot sequence* A, C, {whatever}. Insert the boot floppy and reboot. Refer to my original post [in the other discussion] for issues to attend to first. You can also restore a previous registry IF available from the boot floppy and a Windows folder/directory. However, try the other first, if fail, then post back for further discussion. Test after changing those items to see if Windows boots, or if you can then get into Safe Mode. Post back with the results. -- MEB http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com -- _________
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 26, 2008 Posted March 26, 2008 Re: boot disk 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll have to get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get to the A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: DIR C: then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: What do you get back? Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what letter the CD drive is. What is it? -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get > my > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it > goes > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the > F8, > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone asked > if I > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I should > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation extended > to > those who are in the know!! >
Guest lutra Posted March 28, 2008 Posted March 28, 2008 Re: boot disk Hello again, 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of files, I presume. 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the diagnostic tools were loaded to D. Is this what you were looking for? "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. > > 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll have to > get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get to the > A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: > DIR C: > then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: > > What do you get back? > > Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what letter > the CD drive is. What is it? > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > > > "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get > > my > > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it > > goes > > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the > > F8, > > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone asked > > if I > > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I should > > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation extended > > to > > those who are in the know!! > > > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 28, 2008 Posted March 28, 2008 Re: boot disk Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't mention a CD drive, which was probably E:\. Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the Ctrl key during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use a floppy boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the floppy. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... > Hello again, > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. > > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of files, I > presume. > > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the diagnostic > tools were loaded to D. > > Is this what you were looking for? > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll have >> to >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get to the >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: >> DIR C: >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: >> >> What do you get back? >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what letter >> the CD drive is. What is it? >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to >> > get >> > my >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it >> > goes >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the >> > F8, >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone >> > asked >> > if I >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I >> > should >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation >> > extended >> > to >> > those who are in the know!! >> > >> >>
Guest lutra Posted March 28, 2008 Posted March 28, 2008 Re: boot disk Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during startup. It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a cursor blinking. As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should that enable one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom of the first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with F5, etc. But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't mention a CD > drive, which was probably E:\. > > Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the Ctrl key > during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use a floppy > boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the floppy. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... > > Hello again, > > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. > > > > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of files, I > > presume. > > > > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the diagnostic > > tools were loaded to D. > > > > Is this what you were looking for? > > > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > > > >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. > >> > >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll have > >> to > >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get to the > >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: > >> DIR C: > >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: > >> > >> What do you get back? > >> > >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what letter > >> the CD drive is. What is it? > >> > >> -- > >> Gary S. Terhune > >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> > >> > >> > >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to > >> > get > >> > my > >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it > >> > goes > >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the > >> > F8, > >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone > >> > asked > >> > if I > >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I > >> > should > >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation > >> > extended > >> > to > >> > those who are in the know!! > >> > > >> > >> > >
Guest Don Phillipson Posted March 28, 2008 Posted March 28, 2008 Re: boot disk "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during startup. > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a cursor > blinking. > > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should that enable > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? (Intervening since I am currently trying to sort out a friend's Dell . . . ) "Boot disk" is whatever disk starts the computer. This can be a floppy or a hard drive or a (booting) CD. Your BIOS governs this. BIOS = Basic Input/Output Services, governed by a Read-Only chip inside every PC, with a CMOS battery to power a special memory holding custom settings via BIOS Menu. You get to the BIOS menu by interrupting the boot process early, usually with the DELete key: messages on screen should tell you which. Among BIOS menus, either "Boot" or "Start-up" is probably one of the main headings, including under it "Boot Drive" or something similar. Usual settings are that the PC should seek startup instructions from (in order): 1 = Floppy Drive A: 2 = CD Drive 3 = Hard Drive C: This means that in everyday operation (with no disk in the floppy or CD drives) you boot from the hard drive. For special purpuses, if you put a bootable disk into A: or the CD drive, the computer goes there first. This is convenient for special purposes (e.g. to run Dell Diagnostics) which differ in anyway from everyday operation. (If you wanted to run the Linux operating system, you can have the whole thing on a CD, thus load Linux at boot, without altering the hard drive which boots Windows.) > I see at the bottom of the > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with F5, etc. > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. 1. Try again and verify the menu really calls for F5 (function key F5) not the ordinary number key (5 or percent sign). 2. Whichever the menu calls for, if you key correctly and the behavior is not what the menu says, this indicates there is something wrong either with the booting drive or with the PC as a whole. Your main alternatives on this startup menu are -- regular Windows -- Safe Mode Windows (omitting several extras e.g. high-definition screen, useful for making repairs) -- DOS = old-fashioned MS Disk Operating System, useful only if you know DOS and its commands -- which include all the basics, e.g. CHKDSK, EDIT and so on. > > > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of files, I > > > presume. 1. For help for any DOS command, add /? e.g. for directory help key DIR /? and you will see a short list of subcommands e.g. /P which means "display page by page" -- so if you key DIR /P you will get one screen of directory listings which then stop on screen, until you hit any key, which gets you another "page" and so on. The subcommand /P works for several DOS commands. The DOS prompt looks like A> i.e. one drive letter and a > or similar symbol. If you see anything less, e.g. "a cursor blinking" but no A> this means you did not boot correctly into DOS, i.e. your boot disk is probably faulty. You can download a new boot floppy free from http://www.bootdisk.com You download one big EXE file, then run it on a PC with a new floppy in the floppy drive, and it writes onto the floppy all the small DOS files needed to boot DOS. There are 6 or 8 varieties so be sure you choose the correct master file. > > >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it > > >> > goes to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the > > >> > F8, the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! Dell users who must repair their installation may choose between: -- Microsoft tools, which may or may not effect a good repair (or 3d party tools e.g. SpinRite) and: -- The Dell Restore routine, which wipes the hard drive and reloads it the way it came from the factory. This means data will be lost (unless you have a Drive D: on the hard drive and Dell Procedures reformats only Drive C:) For this reason it is usual to attempt repairs using MS tools, and to use Dell Restore only as a last resort. Post results back here for more help. -- Don Phillipson Carlsbad Springs (Ottawa, Canada)
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk That F5 isn't the one we want. Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: SYS C: Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during > startup. > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a > cursor > blinking. > > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should that > enable > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom of > the > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with F5, > etc. > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. > > > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't mention a >> CD >> drive, which was probably E:\. >> >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the Ctrl key >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use a >> floppy >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the floppy. >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... >> > Hello again, >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. >> > >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of files, >> > I >> > presume. >> > >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the diagnostic >> > tools were loaded to D. >> > >> > Is this what you were looking for? >> > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: >> > >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. >> >> >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll >> >> have >> >> to >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get to >> >> the >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: >> >> DIR C: >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: >> >> >> >> What do you get back? >> >> >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what >> >> letter >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Gary S. Terhune >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to >> >> > get >> >> > my >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then >> >> > it >> >> > goes >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried >> >> > the >> >> > F8, >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone >> >> > asked >> >> > if I >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start >> >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I >> >> > should >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation >> >> > extended >> >> > to >> >> > those who are in the know!! >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >>
Guest lutra Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive my lack of knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > That F5 isn't the one we want. > > Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: > SYS C: > > Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... > > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during > > startup. > > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a > > cursor > > blinking. > > > > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should that > > enable > > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom of > > the > > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with F5, > > etc. > > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. > > > > > > > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > > > >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't mention a > >> CD > >> drive, which was probably E:\. > >> > >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the Ctrl key > >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use a > >> floppy > >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the floppy. > >> > >> -- > >> Gary S. Terhune > >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> > >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... > >> > Hello again, > >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. > >> > > >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of files, > >> > I > >> > presume. > >> > > >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the diagnostic > >> > tools were loaded to D. > >> > > >> > Is this what you were looking for? > >> > > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> > > >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. > >> >> > >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll > >> >> have > >> >> to > >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get to > >> >> the > >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: > >> >> DIR C: > >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: > >> >> > >> >> What do you get back? > >> >> > >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what > >> >> letter > >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> Gary S. Terhune > >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to > >> >> > get > >> >> > my > >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then > >> >> > it > >> >> > goes > >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried > >> >> > the > >> >> > F8, > >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone > >> >> > asked > >> >> > if I > >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > >> >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I > >> >> > should > >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation > >> >> > extended > >> >> > to > >> >> > those who are in the know!! > >> >> > > >> >> > >> >> > >> > >> > >
Guest Ben Myers Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get my > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it goes > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the F8, > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone asked if I > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I should > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation extended to > those who are in the know!! Please repost with more information, including the method you used to start the computer in Safe mode and what happens now when you attempt a Safe mode start. Ben
Guest Jeff Richards Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk Transfers the system files to the disk (in this case, the C drive) to make the disk a startup disk. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/msdos/07_refer.mspx?mfr=true http://www.easydos.com/sys.html -- Jeff Richards MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User) "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5A974D6A-B40D-4F16-A5A0-DD3B512F6DE3@microsoft.com... > May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive my lack > of > knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk SYS C: transfers certain "SYStem" files to the C:\ drive that make it bootable. We're trying to see if those files got messed up. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5A974D6A-B40D-4F16-A5A0-DD3B512F6DE3@microsoft.com... > May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive my lack > of > knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> That F5 isn't the one we want. >> >> Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: >> SYS C: >> >> Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... >> > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during >> > startup. >> > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a >> > cursor >> > blinking. >> > >> > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should that >> > enable >> > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom of >> > the >> > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with F5, >> > etc. >> > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. >> > >> > >> > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: >> > >> >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't mention >> >> a >> >> CD >> >> drive, which was probably E:\. >> >> >> >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the Ctrl >> >> key >> >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use a >> >> floppy >> >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the floppy. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Gary S. Terhune >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... >> >> > Hello again, >> >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. >> >> > >> >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of >> >> > files, >> >> > I >> >> > presume. >> >> > >> >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the >> >> > diagnostic >> >> > tools were loaded to D. >> >> > >> >> > Is this what you were looking for? >> >> > >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. >> >> >> >> >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll >> >> >> have >> >> >> to >> >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get >> >> >> to >> >> >> the >> >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: >> >> >> DIR C: >> >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: >> >> >> >> >> >> What do you get back? >> >> >> >> >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what >> >> >> letter >> >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... >> >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable >> >> >> > to >> >> >> > get >> >> >> > my >> >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and >> >> >> > then >> >> >> > it >> >> >> > goes >> >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I >> >> >> > tried >> >> >> > the >> >> >> > F8, >> >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so >> >> >> > someone >> >> >> > asked >> >> >> > if I >> >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start >> >> >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how >> >> >> > I >> >> >> > should >> >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation >> >> >> > extended >> >> >> > to >> >> >> > those who are in the know!! >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk JESUS Ben! Can't you even read? The machine never made it to Safe Mode. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message news:uEMqVXdkIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get > my > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it > goes > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried the > F8, > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone asked > if I > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I should > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation extended > to > those who are in the know!! Please repost with more information, including the method you used to start the computer in Safe mode and what happens now when you attempt a Safe mode start. Ben
Guest Bill in Co. Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk I suspect it's a BIOS problem. Gary S. Terhune wrote: > JESUS Ben! Can't you even read? The machine never made it to Safe Mode. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message > news:uEMqVXdkIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... >> Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get >> my >> computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it >> goes to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried >> the >> F8, the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone >> asked >> if I had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start >> trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I >> should >> respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation >> extended >> to those who are in the know!! > > Please repost with more information, including the method you used to > start > the computer in Safe mode and what happens now when you attempt a Safe > mode start. > > Ben
Guest lutra Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk BINGO!!!!!!!!! I did exactly as you said, restarted and it has started. My mouth is still hanging open. THANK YOU THANK YOU...............now the only thing I had done previously to all this occuring was: Computer started to freeze last Sunday. Over and over again. I disabled NORTON and then it seemed to function for what I was trying to do. I decided to shut down and the next day I went to start it up and VOILA --- I was on this discussion group. What do you think was wrong? "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > SYS C: transfers certain "SYStem" files to the C:\ drive that make it > bootable. We're trying to see if those files got messed up. > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:5A974D6A-B40D-4F16-A5A0-DD3B512F6DE3@microsoft.com... > > May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive my lack > > of > > knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? > > > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > > > >> That F5 isn't the one we want. > >> > >> Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: > >> SYS C: > >> > >> Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? > >> > >> -- > >> Gary S. Terhune > >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> > >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... > >> > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during > >> > startup. > >> > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a > >> > cursor > >> > blinking. > >> > > >> > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should that > >> > enable > >> > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom of > >> > the > >> > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with F5, > >> > etc. > >> > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> > > >> >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't mention > >> >> a > >> >> CD > >> >> drive, which was probably E:\. > >> >> > >> >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the Ctrl > >> >> key > >> >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use a > >> >> floppy > >> >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the floppy. > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> Gary S. Terhune > >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> >> > >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... > >> >> > Hello again, > >> >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. > >> >> > > >> >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of > >> >> > files, > >> >> > I > >> >> > presume. > >> >> > > >> >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the > >> >> > diagnostic > >> >> > tools were loaded to D. > >> >> > > >> >> > Is this what you were looking for? > >> >> > > >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> >> > > >> >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, you'll > >> >> >> have > >> >> >> to > >> >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you get > >> >> >> to > >> >> >> the > >> >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: > >> >> >> DIR C: > >> >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: > >> >> >> > >> >> >> What do you get back? > >> >> >> > >> >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you what > >> >> >> letter > >> >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? > >> >> >> > >> >> >> -- > >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune > >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > >> >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable > >> >> >> > to > >> >> >> > get > >> >> >> > my > >> >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and > >> >> >> > then > >> >> >> > it > >> >> >> > goes > >> >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I > >> >> >> > tried > >> >> >> > the > >> >> >> > F8, > >> >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so > >> >> >> > someone > >> >> >> > asked > >> >> >> > if I > >> >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > >> >> >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how > >> >> >> > I > >> >> >> > should > >> >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation > >> >> >> > extended > >> >> >> > to > >> >> >> > those who are in the know!! > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > >> > >
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk We need to rid that system of Norton. Can you uninstall it in Normal Mode? Be sure to get the Removal Tool *before* you uninstall Norton, as was already explained to you in the other thread ("computer won't start up"). -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:AA8D7135-1D65-4E9F-8F22-49A33BEE55AB@microsoft.com... > BINGO!!!!!!!!! I did exactly as you said, restarted and it has started. My > mouth is still hanging open. THANK YOU THANK YOU...............now the > only > thing I had done previously to all this occuring was: > Computer started to freeze last Sunday. Over and over again. I disabled > NORTON and then it seemed to function for what I was trying to do. I > decided > to shut down and the next day I went to start it up and VOILA --- I was on > this discussion group. What do you think was wrong? > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> SYS C: transfers certain "SYStem" files to the C:\ drive that make it >> bootable. We're trying to see if those files got messed up. >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:5A974D6A-B40D-4F16-A5A0-DD3B512F6DE3@microsoft.com... >> > May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive my >> > lack >> > of >> > knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? >> > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: >> > >> >> That F5 isn't the one we want. >> >> >> >> Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: >> >> SYS C: >> >> >> >> Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Gary S. Terhune >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... >> >> > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during >> >> > startup. >> >> > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a >> >> > cursor >> >> > blinking. >> >> > >> >> > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should >> >> > that >> >> > enable >> >> > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom >> >> > of >> >> > the >> >> > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with >> >> > F5, >> >> > etc. >> >> > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't >> >> >> mention >> >> >> a >> >> >> CD >> >> >> drive, which was probably E:\. >> >> >> >> >> >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the >> >> >> Ctrl >> >> >> key >> >> >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use >> >> >> a >> >> >> floppy >> >> >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the >> >> >> floppy. >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... >> >> >> > Hello again, >> >> >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of >> >> >> > files, >> >> >> > I >> >> >> > presume. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the >> >> >> > diagnostic >> >> >> > tools were loaded to D. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Is this what you were looking for? >> >> >> > >> >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, >> >> >> >> you'll >> >> >> >> have >> >> >> >> to >> >> >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you >> >> >> >> get >> >> >> >> to >> >> >> >> the >> >> >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: >> >> >> >> DIR C: >> >> >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> What do you get back? >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you >> >> >> >> what >> >> >> >> letter >> >> >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune >> >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> >> >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... >> >> >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being >> >> >> >> > unable >> >> >> >> > to >> >> >> >> > get >> >> >> >> > my >> >> >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and >> >> >> >> > then >> >> >> >> > it >> >> >> >> > goes >> >> >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I >> >> >> >> > tried >> >> >> >> > the >> >> >> >> > F8, >> >> >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so >> >> >> >> > someone >> >> >> >> > asked >> >> >> >> > if I >> >> >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start >> >> >> >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and >> >> >> >> > how >> >> >> >> > I >> >> >> >> > should >> >> >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. >> >> >> >> > Appreciation >> >> >> >> > extended >> >> >> >> > to >> >> >> >> > those who are in the know!! >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>
Guest Gary S. Terhune Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk No, it's a Norton problem. Which means it can be almost any kind of mess you can imagine. -- Gary S. Terhune MS-MVP Shell/User http://www.grystmill.com "Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:ePA5cRekIHA.3940@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... >I suspect it's a BIOS problem. > > Gary S. Terhune wrote: >> JESUS Ben! Can't you even read? The machine never made it to Safe Mode. >> >> -- >> Gary S. Terhune >> MS-MVP Shell/User >> http://www.grystmill.com >> >> "Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message >> news:uEMqVXdkIHA.1204@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... >>> Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being unable to get >>> my >>> computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and then it >>> goes to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I tried >>> the >>> F8, the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so someone >>> asked >>> if I had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start >>> trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and how I >>> should >>> respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. Appreciation >>> extended >>> to those who are in the know!! >> >> Please repost with more information, including the method you used to >> start >> the computer in Safe mode and what happens now when you attempt a Safe >> mode start. >> >> Ben > >
Guest lutra Posted March 29, 2008 Posted March 29, 2008 Re: boot disk Okay will go to Syamantec and look for the removal tool and get the culprit off of my computer.. "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > We need to rid that system of Norton. Can you uninstall it in Normal Mode? > Be sure to get the Removal Tool *before* you uninstall Norton, as was > already explained to you in the other thread ("computer won't start up"). > > -- > Gary S. Terhune > MS-MVP Shell/User > http://www.grystmill.com > > "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:AA8D7135-1D65-4E9F-8F22-49A33BEE55AB@microsoft.com... > > BINGO!!!!!!!!! I did exactly as you said, restarted and it has started. My > > mouth is still hanging open. THANK YOU THANK YOU...............now the > > only > > thing I had done previously to all this occuring was: > > Computer started to freeze last Sunday. Over and over again. I disabled > > NORTON and then it seemed to function for what I was trying to do. I > > decided > > to shut down and the next day I went to start it up and VOILA --- I was on > > this discussion group. What do you think was wrong? > > > > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > > > >> SYS C: transfers certain "SYStem" files to the C:\ drive that make it > >> bootable. We're trying to see if those files got messed up. > >> > >> -- > >> Gary S. Terhune > >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> > >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> news:5A974D6A-B40D-4F16-A5A0-DD3B512F6DE3@microsoft.com... > >> > May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive my > >> > lack > >> > of > >> > knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? > >> > > >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> > > >> >> That F5 isn't the one we want. > >> >> > >> >> Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: > >> >> SYS C: > >> >> > >> >> Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? > >> >> > >> >> -- > >> >> Gary S. Terhune > >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> >> > >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... > >> >> > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... during > >> >> > startup. > >> >> > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page and a > >> >> > cursor > >> >> > blinking. > >> >> > > >> >> > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What should > >> >> > that > >> >> > enable > >> >> > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the bottom > >> >> > of > >> >> > the > >> >> > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode with > >> >> > F5, > >> >> > etc. > >> >> > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> >> > > >> >> >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't > >> >> >> mention > >> >> >> a > >> >> >> CD > >> >> >> drive, which was probably E:\. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping the > >> >> >> Ctrl > >> >> >> key > >> >> >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you to use > >> >> >> a > >> >> >> floppy > >> >> >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the > >> >> >> floppy. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> -- > >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune > >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> >> >> > >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... > >> >> >> > Hello again, > >> >> >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very quickly) of > >> >> >> > files, > >> >> >> > I > >> >> >> > presume. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the > >> >> >> > diagnostic > >> >> >> > tools were loaded to D. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Is this what you were looking for? > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If not, > >> >> >> >> you'll > >> >> >> >> have > >> >> >> >> to > >> >> >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when you > >> >> >> >> get > >> >> >> >> to > >> >> >> >> the > >> >> >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: > >> >> >> >> DIR C: > >> >> >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> What do you get back? > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell you > >> >> >> >> what > >> >> >> >> letter > >> >> >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> -- > >> >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune > >> >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User > >> >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > >> >> >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... > >> >> >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to being > >> >> >> >> > unable > >> >> >> >> > to > >> >> >> >> > get > >> >> >> >> > my > >> >> >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO screen and > >> >> >> >> > then > >> >> >> >> > it > >> >> >> >> > goes > >> >> >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left top. I > >> >> >> >> > tried > >> >> >> >> > the > >> >> >> >> > F8, > >> >> >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so > >> >> >> >> > someone > >> >> >> >> > asked > >> >> >> >> > if I > >> >> >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and start > >> >> >> >> > trying........could someone tell me what the procedure is and > >> >> >> >> > how > >> >> >> >> > I > >> >> >> >> > should > >> >> >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. > >> >> >> >> > Appreciation > >> >> >> >> > extended > >> >> >> >> > to > >> >> >> >> > those who are in the know!! > >> >> >> >> > > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > >> > >> > >
Guest PCR Posted March 31, 2008 Posted March 31, 2008 Re: boot disk lutra wrote: | BINGO!!!!!!!!! I did exactly as you said, restarted and it has | started. My mouth is still hanging open. Ah, ha, ha! I am glad Terhune stepped in with that, then! Glad to see it was solved! I was the one to suggest the Startup Diskette, but was leery of blurting out anything specific immediately. But, fine-- go on and fully remove Norton now, if you can. Glad to hear it! | THANK YOU THANK | YOU...............now the only thing I had done previously to all | this occuring was: | Computer started to freeze last Sunday. Over and over again. I | disabled NORTON and then it seemed to function for what I was trying | to do. I decided to shut down and the next day I went to start it up | and VOILA --- I was on this discussion group. What do you think was | wrong? | | "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: | |> SYS C: transfers certain "SYStem" files to the C:\ drive that make it |> bootable. We're trying to see if those files got messed up. |> |> -- |> Gary S. Terhune |> MS-MVP Shell/User |> http://www.grystmill.com |> |> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message |> news:5A974D6A-B40D-4F16-A5A0-DD3B512F6DE3@microsoft.com... |> > May I ask before I try this.......what does the SYS C: do? Forgive |> > my lack of |> > knowledge, just worried what this does to the computer?? |> > |> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: |> > |> >> That F5 isn't the one we want. |> >> |> >> Boot to the floppy disk, run the following command: |> >> SYS C: |> >> |> >> Remove the floppy and restart. Any luck? |> >> |> >> -- |> >> Gary S. Terhune |> >> MS-MVP Shell/User |> >> http://www.grystmill.com |> >> |> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message |> >> news:D929152A-55DF-48BD-9CA9-9CE681320356@microsoft.com... |> >> > Yes, previously I tried tapping the ctrl key, F8, F5 ....... |> >> > during startup. |> >> > It always just goes to a black screen after the DELL logo page |> >> > and a cursor |> >> > blinking. |> >> > |> >> > As for the boot disk. I was in the dark on that one. What |> >> > should that enable |> >> > one to do? It does not start up one's computer?? I see at the |> >> > bottom of the |> >> > first page when I use the boot disk options to go to safe mode |> >> > with F5, etc. |> >> > But when I did press F5 I just got the A>prompt. |> >> > |> >> > |> >> > |> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: |> >> > |> >> >> Yes, that's what I was looking for, sort of. You still didn't |> >> >> mention a |> >> >> CD |> >> >> drive, which was probably E:\. |> >> >> |> >> >> Anyway, I'm not sure what to suggest. Have you tried tapping |> >> >> the Ctrl key |> >> >> during startup? I don't know why the other person wanted you |> >> >> to use a floppy |> >> >> boot disk. I suppose it couldn't hurt to run a SYS C: from the |> >> >> floppy. |> >> >> |> >> >> -- |> >> >> Gary S. Terhune |> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User |> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com |> >> >> |> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message |> >> >> news:61EEEA99-CFAC-417E-914E-76E736CEA1AF@microsoft.com... |> >> >> > Hello again, |> >> >> > 1.It seems to boot with the floppy disk. |> >> >> > |> >> >> > 2. When I type in DIR C: it gives me a listing (very |> >> >> > quickly) of files, |> >> >> > I |> >> >> > presume. |> >> >> > |> >> >> > 3. And the "RAM" drive mentioned is "D" or it also says the |> >> >> > diagnostic |> >> >> > tools were loaded to D. |> >> >> > |> >> >> > Is this what you were looking for? |> >> >> > |> >> >> > "Gary S. Terhune" wrote: |> >> >> > |> >> >> >> 1. Insert the bootable floppy disk. |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> 2. Start the computer. Does it boot from the floppy? If |> >> >> >> not, you'll have |> >> >> >> to |> >> >> >> get into BIOS and change the boot order. If it boots, when |> >> >> >> you get to |> >> >> >> the |> >> >> >> A:\> prompt (it will take a while), type in the following: |> >> >> >> DIR C: |> >> >> >> then press <Enter>. Note the space after DIR and before C: |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> What do you get back? |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> Also, when you first boot up, toward the end it will tell |> >> >> >> you what letter |> >> >> >> the CD drive is. What is it? |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> -- |> >> >> >> Gary S. Terhune |> >> >> >> MS-MVP Shell/User |> >> >> >> http://www.grystmill.com |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> |> >> >> >> "lutra" <lutra@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message |> >> >> >> news:A6F438A9-B62D-48FC-9301-7BCE7F7B6E71@microsoft.com... |> >> >> >> > Hello again....... I wrote on Sunday with regards to |> >> >> >> > being unable to |> >> >> >> > get |> >> >> >> > my |> >> >> >> > computer started up. I can't get past the DELL LOGO |> >> >> >> > screen and then |> >> >> >> > it |> >> >> >> > goes |> >> >> >> > to a black screen with the cursor blinking on the left |> >> >> >> > top. I tried |> >> >> >> > the |> >> >> >> > F8, |> >> >> >> > the control key, F5 key............... so far, NIX! And so |> >> >> >> > someone |> >> >> >> > asked |> >> >> >> > if I |> >> >> >> > had a boot disk. YES, I do....but before I put it in and |> >> >> >> > start trying........could someone tell me what the |> >> >> >> > procedure is and how I |> >> >> >> > should |> >> >> >> > respond to hopefully get my old girl up and running. |> >> >> >> > Appreciation extended |> >> >> >> > to |> >> >> >> > those who are in the know!! -- Thanks or Good Luck, There may be humor in this post, and, Naturally, you will not sue, Should things get worse after this, PCR pcrrcp@netzero.net
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