OT: Getting a D prompt from a PC that won't boot

Hello,

I have a PC here that won't boot, trying to fix it for a freind. It keeps saying insert system disk when trying to boot it, but I don't have it.

I'm trying to format the drive with a program on a floppy disk, but I can't get a prompt to get into the floppy.

Is there anyway for me to bring up a promt, since i'm stuff at the "Insert system disk" text that I can't get past.

If you can get a hold of a Windows 2000 OS CD-ROM then you will be set. I reformatted both my work computers the night before last using this WIN 2K boot CD. Also allows you to format your disk in NTFS instead of FAT, which is an improved file system. Whole process is practically automated. Since you are unable to get a prompt with your floppy, this is an easy cure all fix.

Btw Caris, fix your avatar. Your sig could use revising as well.

Thanks for the help.

Shawn I have told you already in an email, I don't wish to use an avatar, I have "NO AVATAR" selected in profile.

If you would look, EVERYONE else on the board that doesn't use an avatar has a broken image link as well, I'm not the only one!

This is clearly a bug in the hack. As for my sig, it is a funny quote I saw somewhere, I don't see how I need to "Revise" it.

Depending on how old the pc is I would stay away from a windows 2000 load, or you are going to have problens finding drivers. Windows me is also self boot and a better option if your into 3d gaming, or windows 98 as some would argue <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Sound like you need to make a boot disk floopy first to get to a prompt. if you have windows 98 you can make a cd-rom enabled boot disk or go to a Best buy and by a box of floppies. take one to the tech booth and they will make a boot disk for you. Windows XP will be out in sept if you can wait <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

Gah! NO! Not Windows ME. Windows ME BAD! Go with Windows 98SE if nothing else. Windows ME has been nothing but trouble for me and a lot of other people that use it.

I have a couple questions:

1. What os was your friend using. Win98/WinMe/Win95/Win98SE/Win95 OSR2?

2. What happened before it only booted to the d prompt. Did it work before? How many hard drives are in the computer.

There's still a lot of unanswered questions.

You may not be able to boot from a floppy if you don't have the boot device set to A,floppy etc in the bios.

There are a dozens of possible scenarios including:

1. He has two hard drives and one died.
2. He has a virus that wiped out the boot sector.

Get back to me when you have this information.

[ June 11, 2001: Message edited by: mvsholic ]