HELP! MY COMPUTER CAN'T FIND IT'S HARD DRIVE

[JOULE]

my computer used to work perfectly normally a few days
ago but now it just doesn't. it starts up but says we
need to reboot. when we do, it says that there is a hard-
drive error. my computer can't access its hard-drive.
it may need to erase a non-DOS partition. Then it asks if
it can delete it, and i say yes. then they say that
there isn't a fixed disk.

we have windows 98

[Bill Barto]

"JOULE" > wrote in message
...
> my computer used to work perfectly normally a few days
> ago but now it just doesn't. it starts up but says we
> need to reboot. when we do, it says that there is a hard-
> drive error. my computer can't access its hard-drive.
> it may need to erase a non-DOS partition. Then it asks if
> it can delete it, and i say yes. then they say that
> there isn't a fixed disk.
>
> we have windows 98

And you are posting to a Windows XP newsgroup because?

[Adm C]

BEFORE you do any of this, you should wait a little for other responses.
Also, this is posted in the WinXP newsgroups. You should post in the 98
newsgroup.

Do this only if you have given up on any other remedy. Also, make sure you
have any and all hardware disks, CDs, documents (such as W98 key), etc. all
together before you begin.

It appears you have lost your hard drive partitions. Hopefully, you have
backed up your data you desire to keep because if this is the case, your
data is no longer obtainable without some major expense with some data
recovery company.

If you have resigned yourself to a loss of all data, take a "boot" floppy
disk (should have come with Win98). Boot up on it. Then, I suggest you
type FDISK (case is not important). Select view partitions. Then, I would
delete any you find.

Restart the machine on the boot floppy. FDISK again. Create a PRIMARY DOS
partition.

Reboot on the floppy.

FORMAT C:

Then, if you can, remove the floppy and reboot on your Win98 CD. Depending
on your version, you may be prompted for compliance (for W98 upgrade).


"JOULE" > wrote in message
...
my computer used to work perfectly normally a few days
ago but now it just doesn't. it starts up but says we
need to reboot. when we do, it says that there is a hard-
drive error. my computer can't access its hard-drive.
it may need to erase a non-DOS partition. Then it asks if
it can delete it, and i say yes. then they say that
there isn't a fixed disk.

we have windows 98