If there is critical data I'd simply reinstall Windows so that the disk could be accessed and make a complete back-up or boot from a Linux distro CD that can read whatever format the disk is in and make a back-up from there whichever is easier for you.
Cheryl D Wise MS MVP Expression - Author: Foundations of Microsoft Expression Web http://by-expression.com - win Expression Studio -see contest rules http://forum.by-expression.com/forums/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=1070#1070 Registration now open at http://starttoweb.com for January classes. -----Original Message----- From: Todd Richards On 2008/01/04 1:01 (GMT-0200) Felix Miata wrote: >No! Formatting is something you do to a partition, not to the physical >device. With W98 there's big likelihood that the problem is a boot sector >virus or a BIOS virus, neither of which standard formatting would affect. >Reinstalling might kill a boot sector virus, but it won't do anything about a >BIOS virus. >Bad assumptions can become expensive. First figure out what the problem is. >Get and burn an iso from http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ and boot from it to >diagnose what the problem actually is before trying to fix what ain't broke. >Once you know what the problem is, I suggest if she's going to use it for the >internet that you instead install an operating system capable of being >defended against malware, something that cannot reasonably be done any longer >with any version of WinDOS. And wasting time with the "near obvious" on a system for a family member can be, well, a waste of time. With a "missing operating system" message, there is a VERY strong chances that a) the hard drive is dead, b) it's about to die, or c) files are missing from the boot loader which won't allow it to boot. Yes, that could be from a virus, or even a corrupt file in Windows. If she said "this laptop contains all our important (fill in the blank) information that we cannot replace", then I might suggest she spend more time on it. However, I have beat a horse to death (figuratively speaking, of course - I love horses) trying to chase down a problem. And this is one that I probably wouldn't spend much time on. In this case, I would format the drive, try to reload Windows on the same drive. If it loads - great. If it doesn't, then I would get a new hard drive. Once you get it reloaded, protect yourself with some software in the event it was a virus that did this. No need to jump on the anti-Windows bandwagon at this point. After all, there is certainly no sign it was even a virus/malware that did this. I've been running Windows machines for some time now and have had no issues with malware. Anyway, this is OT and we are getting even further away... ____ The WDVL Discussion List from WDVL.COM ____ To Join wdvltalk, Send An Email To: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] or use the web interface http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ Send Your Posts To: wdvltalk@lists.wdvl.com To change subscription settings, add a password or view the web interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=wdvltalk ________________ http://www.wdvl.com _______________________ You are currently subscribed to wdvltalk as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with.
