It is likely that the files are fine, and you just can't see them with the
filesystem used while using the Win98 boot disk. At the most it is
FAT32, and you "might" (or "should") need NTFS.

If you have another computer running Win-XP, (or some other "newer
that 98" OS that supports NTFS) you could take the hard drive out and
place it in the other system and browse (and copy the files).

This requires handling hardware, changing jumpers, etc... This message
is not meant to explain all the details, just to offer that as an option.
If you want to try that, write back to the list, or get other help...

          Good luck,                 Rick Glazier

From: "Stan & Brenda"
My daughter-in-law's lap top seems to have crashed (again).  It had Windows XP on it. I can redo everything from scratch with the
restore disks.  Before I do this My question is, when I go into C:\ drive in DOS using a windows 98 boot disk, and run a directory
there are only 14 (utility) files and no directories from the previous setup.  Does this mean they have all been wiped out or are
they some where I don't know about?  I tried the restore disk but it just came up and said to contact Compaq.  I was going to try to
save a couple of their files they didn't have backed up.  My guess is that they are all gone.  Am I right?

               The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
              Mandrake Linux or Red Hat Linux CD sets along
             with the OpenOffice CD...  at a great price!!!
             http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml