Can't Install

Thank you for the help, but it didn't work. Still getting the same messages.

Usually that message in a Win9x/Me system is the result of some malware action.

As you're starting from fresh, I would suggest an FDISK and FORMAT before a fresh reinstall of Windows.

Zee

You'll have to give me directions on how to do this, I have no clue! Thank you for taking time to help me!

When you say "reinstall the OS proper" do you mean reinstall Windows? Also, I think I have the cd-rom from my machine (works, just didn't burn the way it should when making cds), would that one be okay? Thank you for taking the time to help me.

Try the original Microsoft made CD.

As to proper, here's the deal. Microsoft only installs the OS. You get to finish by installing drivers for motherboard, video, audio and more. These are not Apples.

Bob

please tell us if this is a vendor Restore/Recovery CD or if it's a separate Windows Installation CD and if you have the Product Code Key that goes with it.

Don't do anything until you let us know because if you wipe out the drive (Fdisk isn't needed if you are just going to format the drive to start over again) and then don't have the Product Code Key, you will never get the computer to do anything other than sit and look blank.....literally.

Make and Model number of your computer would be good to know as well......

TONI

I have a restore CD for the computer.

I don't know the make or model of the machine. It is one my cousin purchased through work (he works for Diamler-Chrysler). When I ran the restore CD it said Symantec. I don't know if that helps at all. If you can tell me somewhere to look "on" the machine I can get back to you on it. The Restore CD is the only one I can get to work on it.

Thanks for your help!

doesn't make computers, like Dell or HP does....they make security programs such as antivirus. What does the front of the CD actually say on it and is it a hand written label or a manufacturer type?

When you say you 'ran' the restore cd, did you ever actually use it to install windows and restore your computer, or did you just put in the cd, wait for the startup screen logo to see what it said, and then cancel out of the setup?

Just trying to get a complete picture on what that cd really is.

As for a product code key.....it's a 25 digit number in blocks of five each and is normally a combination of letters and numbers. If you don't have the number on the cd or on the case cover for the cd, some vendors put the number on a sticker on the computer case itself. It could be on the side, on the back, or actually on the bottom (I've found two vendor labels attached to the bottom of the case as if people would even think to look there). In some cases the sticker is very noticeable as to contain the Product Code Key along with the computer Maker and Model Number and Serial Number....but sometimes this label looks like a bar code you see on things you buy in a grocery store or on a magazine.

To be honest with you, because it used to be a company computer, you could call that company to find out how you go about taking out their company restrictions that they have put on it that has prevented you from installing anything on it. There IT person should be able to help you with it, since they know they sold it.....and also find out what that 'restore cd' is supposed to be doing since it appears to be specifically written to that company computer which, even though it appears to have allowed the installation of windows, it won't allow anything else to be installed. (Normal company procedure).

You may have to go out and purchase your own copy of Windows....and I would start with a local computer vendor/repair shop...to see about getting Windows 98 instead of ME. Most have lots of copies of W98 floating around that they can sell you a copy fairly cheap since XP is the dominate OS now and W98 cd's can't be found on a retail shelf anymore. But it's much more stable than ME and your system may not be powerful enough for XP.

TONI

It's the GHOST based restore system. It's a common method for some big companies. Sadly, there is no sign here that a proper Windows CD is near this machine.

Bob

The machine was not purchased from the company my cousin works for, it was purchased through them at a discounted rate, an incentive program type thing. The restore CD: I ran it all the way through to restore the computer. I am not at home at the moment to look at the CD itself, but it is a manufacturer CD. I also have copies of Windows ME and Windows 98 of my own. I wasn't sure if I could use those instead of the restore disk or not.

you have fully removed the one you want to use from the system that it was on. You can move it to a new system.

You do not have email enabled in your profile. It can come in handy. People can send you a message without them ever getting your email address.

I switched the cd-rom drive on the computer and now it works fine. Thank you all for taking time to try and help me!!!!