Try using some of the old DOS utilites like chkdsk /f (not sure if it will
work on your version of DOS) and then run scandisk - you may have a corrupt
file somewhere and one of these utilities just might be able to fix it!




Kevin Nowicki <[log in to unmask]> on 08/04/99 03:15:35 AM

Please respond to PCSOFT - Personal Computer software discussion list
      <[log in to unmask]>

To:   [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject:  [PCSOFT] Old 386 Won't boot




Dear Listers,

I'm hoping someone can help with this older machine.  Upon starting, it
goes
through the boot up process (?) and stops at Primary Boot-strap.  My client
said she was typing in WP51 and went to print and then the whole thing
froze
up.  It's an older machine and frankly I don't have the experience with the
older routines.  It's a

386
16mhz
4mg ram
100mg HD
Win 3.1

I can boot off a floppy and access C:  After booting off the floppy I went
into the Windows directory and tried starting windows through there.  I
receive an error message saying "Himem.sys is missing.  Check config.sys
and
windows directory" or something to that effect.  Himem.sys is in windows
directory and DOS and is listed in config.sys.  I deleted himem.sys
believing
it might be corrupt and replaced with himem.sys file from working 3.1
computer.  It still won't boot and I get the same results.  So I checked on
the working 3.1 computer and saw the  himem.sys line referred to the DOS
directory and not Windows like the broken machine so I changed the
config.sys
to point to the DOS directory instead.  Still no results.  Here is the
autoexec and config files:

Config.sys
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM
BUFFERS=15,0
FILES=30
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=E
FCBS=4,0
DEVICEHIGH /L:1,12048 =C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
DOS=HIGH
STACKS=9,256

Autoexec.bat
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T3

SET SOUND=C:\SB
LH /L:0;1,45456 /S C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /X
@ECHO OFF
PROMPT $p$g
PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\DOS;C:\WP51\
SET TEMP=C:\DOS

C:\MOUSE\MOUSE
CD\BUTTONS
BUTTONS


C:\MOUSE\MOUSE
C:\MOUSE\MOUSE

I realize this old 16mhz machine is probably a better doorstop, but the
client is a single mom w/4 kids and it was meeting her word processing
needs.
 I'm doing the work "pro bono".  I'm hoping one of the lists experts has
had
experience with these older machines and can help me out on this.

I apologize for the length of this email, I wanted to provide as much info
as
I could.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin Nowicki

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