Flocking Computer!!!

[freeflir29 0]

I was trying to load the software that came with my new video camera last night. Well, I loaded it the first time and it worked great!!! The only problem was I had forgotten to plug my camera in to the USB port as the instructions said to. Well, it didn't recognize it so it wasn't on the list of objects to import from. OK....so I run the uninstall and figure I'll just do it again with the camera plugged in like it's supposed to be. OK....cool....install it and it asks me if I want to restart. I say...Of course......So, Windows is starting back up.....plays the music. Then the disk starts making this clicking noise. Keeps going to a blue screen telling me "Windows is waiting for the "close program dialog box" If I wait long enough it will boot up but it takes several minutes to open any program. Finally got it to open scandisk but it keeps stopping saying the disk is damaged and it will repair the damage. But it never does....just opens that same box every few minutes. I think my disk is hurt......dammitt!!! I don't have it backed up either!!!!
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[cyberskydive 0]

well, if you are absolutely sure the HDD is screwed you may be able to save it with a recovery program from norton or powerquest. They also make some programs that wil check your hardware etc.
I say that as soon as the computer starts (before you see anyhting to do with windows) press F8 and you should get the option to start in safe mode, than go to the control panel and add / remove programs and make sure that you have removed the new installations.
failing that go to the device manager and check for any resource conflicts, you may not be able to see all of them in safe mode.
.....there is no spoon
--------------------
My website

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

you should get the option to start in safe mode

Hahaahahahaa........I tried that one.....I couldn't do it because I installed one of those really cool USB port mouses that has to have a program running to make it work. That doesn't load in safe mode....LMAO Plus, it was still having problems even loading in safe mode!!! I'm going to get into DOS and make sure all that crap is removed. Then see if I can do anything else from there. DOS is much less taxing on the drive so even running as slow as it is at least I can get it done a little faster.
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[Staso 0]

> I'm going to get into DOS and make sure all that crap is removed
you also has to make sure that the crap is removed from registry. after you clean on HDD, run some utility like RegistryClean.
also check list of services and what you have there. there might be a service installed and system tries to start it. if something is screwed with that service that may cause problems.
if you have NT try to load "last know good configuartion" or
whatever it's called. what system do you have ?
stan.

[freeflir29 0]

It's Win 98....
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[Staso 0]

sorry, not much of 98 user. i could tell you more on NT/2000 side.
stan.

[lummy 4]

Seems to me the priorities would be to get a bootable system back. It does sound fixable depending on your time and frustration levels
Do you still have the USB camera hooked up? If so, disconnect it.... REboot... Same thing? next
Boot up to DOS Check your autoexec.bat file for anything being loaded, REM it out using the "#"
go to c:\windows\start menu\programs\startup\
Move anything in here out. Reboot, same problems? Next
ready to reinstall Win98 yet??
Using the F8 key again use the Logged option first (yes FIRST, this is a two step process) it will bring you back to the SAME screen, you want to do step by step confirmation
(In other words, pressing the "Y" key many many times. Eventually, it will come to a point where the machine will run the bad program. Guess what? NExt time, you press N to get past it. Now that you are in to the system, Uninstall the software AGAIN, go into regedit and remove ALL references to the program you installed
Fuck it and reinstall Win98? NO?
More tips n tricks from the Lummy book o Horrors...
evil grin.. REGISTRY EDITING MUAHAHAHAHA
boot up in DOS again. type in PATH. does it have c:\windows\command in there? if not type in EXACTLY : PATH= %PATH%;c:\windows\command
now type in "attrib -h -s -r c:\windows\system.dat"
NOW type in "attrib -h -s -r c:\system.1st"
now type in "ren c:\windows\system.dat c:\windows\sysmtem.old
now type copy c:\system.1st c:\windows\system.dat
ARE WE HAVING FUN YET?We would have been done by now if we reinstalled Windows ;)
type in "attrib S H R c:\windows\system.dat
RESTART....... Either reinstall your programs OR, you can import the old registry by "regedit c:\windows\system.old" and then going back in the registry and removing ALL REFERENCES to the program you installed that screwed it up in the first place

Speaking of, Win98 or 98SE (you REALLY REALLY WANT SE if you are using USB)
One shot... HEY!!! Mas Tequila!!!! Two Shots HEY HEY!!!! Three Shots.......

[freeflir29 0]

Thanks Lummy!! I'll print all that out before I leave work today. It's been over a year since I got my A+ certification so my DOS skills are weak. "Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[mattwhoo 0]

there is actualy a lot easier way to get back to an older version of the registry if you boot into dos mode on a windows 98 box type scanreg it will do a quick scan of the registry and allow you to replace it with a backup version of the entire registry. Just restore it with a version prior to you installing all the camera stuff. You also metioned scandisk you can run this from dos as well usualy if it wont run in windows it will always run in dos.
Matt

[lummy 4]

That's assuming he made a back up of the registry.
One shot... HEY!!! Mas Tequila!!!! Two Shots HEY HEY!!!! Three Shots.......

[cyberskydive 0]

Doesn't windows keep a backup copy of the registry automatically?
.....there is no spoon
--------------------
My website

[mattwhoo 0]

Actualy scanreg keeps 5 copys of the registry it's automatic unless you disable the program from running on startup. I had the unfortunate job of doing phone tech support for 2 years. That little fix saved many of reinstalls of windows.
Matt

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

That's assuming he made a back up of the registry.

Yeah right......I've been looking at the red text on my Norton 2000 box that says "You need to create rescue disks" for a couple years and saying "I'll get around to that some day......
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[Muenkel 0]

Am I the only one who has no idea wtf they are talking about here?
Clay, I understand you better when you talk about BOOBIES.
If you're not confused, you're not paying attention.
Chris

[freeflir29 0]

Quote

Am I the only one who has no idea wtf they are talking about here?

It's that magic box that sits on your desk and brings you DZ.Com. We're discussing the way the little magical elves inside the box do their work....
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"

[lummy 4]

Clay,
I'd give Matt's suggestion a shot before manually replacing the registry.
One shot... HEY!!! Mas Tequila!!!! Two Shots HEY HEY!!!! Three Shots.......

[jfields 0]

Quote

I'd give Matt's suggestion a shot before manually replacing the registry.

I usually take several strong shots before manually replacing the registry. Justin

[freeflir29 0]

I got it done!!! Took almost 4 hours but I fixed my computer. I had to run a full scandisk from DOS and then again in Windoze to get all the problems fixed. Seems whatever happened corrupted over 40 different directories. YEEEHAAA....good news is my computer is much faster now.......
"Here I come to save the BOOBIES!"