Comp Status Update

[beandelphiki]

I have no idea when I'll have a computer again.

It looks like our hard drive was wiped completely clean. There's absolutely nothing on it, and even when we turn it on, we can't power it down; we have to unplug it.

We may just have to buy a new computer, so it could be weeks before I have home access again.

Poo.

Comments

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

Sounds either like a very nasty virus or the motherboard.

I wish I was there because fixing catastrophic failures is one of my hobbies.

Sometimes, when the motherboard goes away, it won't allow you to access the hard drive, so it's very possible that it is not wiped clean. If it was a virus, though, then it would be... it just depends on how the computer acts.

Well... you did mention safe mode, so that practically rules out the motherboard. :( I'd try a hard reformat using a boot disk, and then reinstallation of the OS before I'd get a new computer. Maybe you can make a boot disk at your aunt's, since her comp is still running.

You go to the file manager area (r-click on "my computer" and select, "explore") then put a new floppy in the A drive, r-click on the A drive and select, "format" then in the options, select "make system disk."

Then there are a bunch of files you need to copy onto the new A disk, including F-disk, Format, and some others... I could look it up if you want to go this route.

When you put the boot disk in your old computer, It should boot to the A: drive, then you have to type "format C:\s" to reformat your C: drive. That should take about 10 minutes.

Then you'll need a CD capable boot disk... damn, I'll have to look up how to make that boot disk CD capable, and then put in your windows CD in the drive and just power up. Reinstalling windows can take up to 2 hours, and then you have to reinstall all of your drivers, which can be a pain. The whole process takes about half a day.

Like I said, I wish I was there because I've done it several times.
:(((

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

doh. I forgot you're probably not using win98. The later versions of Windows make this easier. I don't know what version you're using, but this site has boot disks and instructions for the various new versions of windows.

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

It says that all versions of the Windows XP cds are bootable. All you have to do is make sure that the bios is set up to check on the CD drive before the C drive. When you start the computer, when it is still all black and is testing the memory, i.e. the bios screen is up, push and hold down the delete key.

This should get you into the bios configuration area. From there, navigate around until you find the option marked "boot order." Usually, it will say, "A:\ then C:\ then CD" or something like that, and change it to put the CD option before the C:\ option."

This might already be the case. If so, just drop in your windows XP CD and it should prompt you to do a clean install over the top of your old one.

Um... sorry if this is useless information... I just like to try to help.

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

*shakes head* That was a good try, and I'm sure it would work under some circumstances...but see, we don't HAVE a "my computer" anymore. Everything's gone, and I mean everything. That's why we can't power it down; not even the start menu comes up.

So. *shrug* Mom's gonna try to get some guys over to look at it. If there's nothing they can do - then new comp.

Sorry, I'm pretty much only going to be able to respond at lunchtimes for a while.

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

Actually, I meant making a boot disk at your aunt's house, and then bringing it home to use on yours. Sorry... I knew it probably wouldn't be any help.

[macai.livejournal.com]

Noooooooooooo!!! *cries*

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

Definitely my reaction. "Ahhh, noooo!"

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see. Hmm. Well, I'll mention it to mom.

Anyway, even if it doesn't work, it was very nice of you to try. :) *hugs*

*runs off to do his homework*

[siegeengine.livejournal.com]

k. you might want to tell her to get someone to try to reinstall windows on top of the old windows. There's always an outside chance that that will work.

*crosses fingers*

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

Mmm, my aunts have different operating systems, she said. *shrug* The computer fix-it guy is coming today, so we'll see.