UNSTABLE SYSTEM

[exhydroman]

I have a Tiny computer running Windows ME and recently used Windows Update to get and install 11 so-called "critical" updates and 1 driver update to my Nvidia graphics card.

This caused the system to become unstable and routinely "freeze" for no apparent reason.

I tried to use the System Restore function in System Tools, but it would not complete the restore successfully.

I then tried to use my Tiny system restore pack CD version 1.9A with the boot floppy disk provided, but can only get a short distance before receiving the Error Message " # 1802 Image file is inalid or corrupted ".

I now cannot get windows to boot at all and don't know what to try.

Any suggestions appreciated ???????

[monkey_1]

Uninstall the graphics driver under Safe Mode, then install the newest from <a target="_blank" href=http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp>Nvidia</a>

[Andy-S]

If you can't get Windows to boot then you won't be able to do the driver install.

Your latest problem seems to be related to the Tiny restore process. I'm not familiar with the restore process but it is typically either:

1. Boot from a floppy disk and copy over a hidden partition on the drive and then install add on software from CD.

2. Boot from a floppy and then install from the CD.

3. Boot from the CD and install the image from there.

A few questions for you:

Do you know what restore process Tiny uses?

Did the system ever boot from the CD or look as if it was formatting the drive?

Download a W98 boot disk from <a target="_blank" href=http://www.bootdisk.com>www.bootdisk.com</a> and boot to the floppy drive. Can you access the C: drive from there?

Cheers
Andy

[exhydroman]

Andy thanks for replying.

The process involved is the one you described in number 2, booting from a floppy and installing from a CD, however it only gets so far and comes up with the error message I described above.

The system has never booted from a CD, it always asks for a floppy to boot from now.

I recently used a backup disk that I made and I get in to Windows ME emergency boot which has 4 options, namely:
1. Help
2. Starting with CD support
3. Starting without CD support
4. Minimal boot

I have tried all 4 without much success and can't seem to get to Safe Mode. Option 1 takes me to a screen which gives me the message "drive C does not contain a valid FAT or FAT32 partition" and advises me that I can run "FDISK" from the command prompt, however I had a little look at that but decided it looked too dangerous to proceed.

I have managed to run "scandisk /all" and "scandisk /all / surface" which inform me that there do not appear to be any errors, but I don't know where to go from there.

Any further suggestions ??????

[whutsupdoc]

sounds like you horked your current install when trying to reimage. so say goodbye to what you had. now you need to get either a hdd earser program like.. gwscan . you can get a copy from gw support website @ http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?ref=keyword&now=1&id=19282 or use a dos fdisk program to erase partitions and then format the drive and try to reimage with the restore disk

I work in Tech Support so I have access to a wide variety of information so if you have questions about my replies you can priv msg me email me or just post it.

[Andy-S]

Boot to your Windows disk and then try to veiw the contents of the HDD in DOS. If you can view the contents then type fdisk /mbr at the a: prompt. See if that helps any.

Cheers
Andy