The Computer won't boot

**Ezra** · 2001-09-20 19:20

I installed a network card and was attempting to load the driver. The driver was taking so long that I manually shut off the computer. I removed the network card. When I try to start the computer it won't go beyond the windows 98 screen after the initial start up screen. I have tried to boot in safe mode and that did not work either. I need to recover my files and I don't want to reformat the hard drive. Is there some way I can boot up the machine to recover my files and remove the network card from the device manager?

**JerryC** · 2001-09-20 19:26

have you tried reinstalling windows
sometimes this works

**Ezra** · 2001-09-20 19:31

Will reinstalling windows wipe out my documents? How do I reinstall, from the CD-Rom for the operating system?

**JerryC** · 2001-09-20 19:35

do you have a windows 98 cd or an oem recovery disk
if you have the windows 98 cd you should be able to boot with your boot disk and reinstall the operating system
i have done this before without losing any data

**Ezra** · 2001-09-20 19:38

I have to correct myself and say that I have Windows 98 SE. I don't have the disk with me, but I believe it is a recovery disk. It is the disk that came with the computer. It is called a backup system disk.

**MikeB** · 2001-09-20 20:52

Start the machine with the cd in, and it should use that to boot from which will allow you to install windoze over the top of itself. Theres no concern over losing data as long as you don't format or fdisk - partition your hard disk - just install. As long as you pick the same folder as Windoze was in originally it will install over the top of itself and correct any problems. If it won't boot from the cd you might have to into the BIOS and check the boot settings to find which devices it will boot from. Cross that bridge after trying the cd though.

**JerryC** · 2001-09-20 20:55

some recover disks will let you reinstall without formating or wiping the drive
if your files are small enough to fit on a floppy you could boot from a boot disk and copy the files from the dos prompt

**SparkyPatrick** · 2001-09-21 00:05

If you have no other backups, this would always be a good first stop in this situation. There's what shouldn't get lost when reinstalling and there's what MIGHT get lost, if it all goes bad <img src=/S/meltdown.gif border=0 alt=meltdown width=15 height=15>! Save anything that you can <img src=/S/disk.gif border=0 alt=disk width=15 height=15>.

**cbaldrey** · 2001-09-21 02:03

<hr>It is called a backup system disk. <hr>

<big><big><font color=red>STOP</font color=red></big></big>.

Make sure from your system supplier what this CD does. If it is a typical backup system disk, in my experience, IT WILL format the hard drive, and therefore erase your data.

If you've got a re-install the OS system disk, go ahead.

I just want to make sure you're using what you think you're using.

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