[*aussie_blondie]

I'm trying to get an old comp useable again.

When I boot up I get "Now loading your previous version of Ms. Dos. Please wait."

Then I get "Ms. Dos startup failed."

I've tried 'command promp only' and just get a blank screen with a flashing -.

Tried 'safe mode' and get the message "Himem.sys is testing extended memory.....Done."

And then "Win XMS Driver Version 3.95

Extended memory specification (XMS) Version 3.0

Error:Himem.sys has detected unreliable XMS memory at address 007B680A.

XMS driver not installed.

To continue starting comp, press 'enter."


So I do that and get "Himem.sys is missing. Make sure it's in your Windows directory. Windows has stopped. Press ctrl-alt-del to restart your comp."

I've tried step-by-step and the registry checker came on. Nothing new after that. I've copied himem.sys to C:\Windows. No help.


Any help or advice you can give me would be so much appreciated. Thank-you.

[JohnWill]

I think you need to start by telling us something about the old computer, make, model, memory size, disk size, and what version of DOS and/or Windows it was running. Also, what do you want to end up with when it's running, MS-DOS or some version of Windows?

[*aussie_blondie]

?

Pentium 166, 32Mb Ram, 2 Gb hd, running Windows 98SE. (Or possibly Windows 95.) I don't know the Dos version but think that it's 6.2.
I want to run whichever version of Windows (98SE or 95) it was running before.

[JohnWill]

Well, I'm going to guess you need to find the original disks or CD and re-install Windows.

[gyrgrls]

Originally Posted by *aussie_blondie

?

Pentium 166, 32Mb Ram, 2 Gb hd, running Windows 98SE. (Or possibly Windows 95.) I don't know the Dos version but think that it's 6.2.
I want to run whichever version of Windows (98SE or 95) it was running before.

It looks like a mixing of files from two different DOS versions has occurred.
DOS 7 files won't work too well on DOS 6.22, and not all DOS 6x files are
forward compatible with DOS 7x.

If it won't start from the hard disc, you can boot off of a Win98 startup floppy,
switch to C:, CD to /DOS, and type "command.com". It should display
the version of the command interpreter of your previous DOS version.

You may end up having to reinstall Windows, though.
Windows 98 or even Windows 2000 will run on that machine,
and can be found used, inexpensively, at computer stores, flea markets,
on eBay, etc. Just make sure you get an authentic copy. That means NO CD-R's,
and NO OEM install discs, and NO packages without the COA intact.

Also remember, that Win98 is no longer supported, and Windows 2000 is nearing
end-of-life as well.
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2005/05/27/422721.aspx


But legit copies can still be had for a few dollars - maybe $40 at most.
Still not a bad deal, if you want to keep the computer.

Another option is get Linux (but I don't think that's what you really want).

FWIW:
I had an old Pentium 133 that would still be alive today, if one of my neighbors
hadn't got mad and physically destroyed it. Then that made ME mad. It actually had
sentimental value, and I originally paid $2500 for it, when it was new, back in 1996.
I learned Windows 95 on that thing. R.I.P.
True story!

[gyrgrls]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

Well, I'm going to guess you need to find the original disks or CD and re-install Windows.

Heh, heh...

You woudn't believe the blank stares I get a lot of times
when I tell someone they need to find their original discs.

On second thought: yes, you would!

[gyrgrls]

One more thing:
Make and model (unless it was home built)
should turn up the original OS that was installed
by doing a quick ProFusion or Google search.

[*aussie_blondie]

Originally Posted by gyrgrls

It looks like a mixing of files from two different DOS versions has occurred.
DOS 7 files won't work too well on DOS 6.22, and not all DOS 6x files are
forward compatible with DOS 7x.

If it won't start from the hard disc, you can boot off of a Win98 startup floppy,
switch to C:, CD to /DOS, and type "command.com". It should display
the version of the command interpreter of your previous DOS version.



FWIW:
I had an old Pentium 133 that would still be alive today, if one of my neighbors
hadn't got mad and physically destroyed it. Then that made ME mad. It actually had
sentimental value, and I originally paid $2500 for it, when it was new, back in 1996.
I learned Windows 95 on that thing. R.I.P.
True story!

*****************************************************************

You're a gem. gyrgrls. I'm pretty sure that will work and will try it asap.

What is FWIW please? I thought I'd heard them all but must have missed out on that one.'Further worthless information something?'

Yeah, I think people underestimate or look down on older comps. If nothing else they're good for back-up or for the kids to play games on. Someone gave me a 286 years ago and I taught myself dos on it. (It would load Win 3.1 but once it had done that that's all it would do!) It took me nearly a year to learn dos with its parameters and illegal commands etc. but knowing dos has saved my behind over a dozen times.

And. gee. how times have changed. $2,500 ten years ago and now people are giving them away in the free section of our classified ads paper.

[JohnWill]

FWIW - For What It's Worth

[gyrgrls]

YIPES!
I did it again. Typographical error.
I'm so used to Unix, I still make that
boo-boo every now and then, when
typing in plain text.
It's always the wrong-way slash.
It kills me.


"switch to C:, CD to /DOS,"
should read:
"switch to C:, CD to \DOS,"

[*aussie_blondie]

I translated! And all is good. May your camels never get fleas and your hut never be infested by locusts.