Windows95 config.sys file missing/damaged??

[Jerry350X]

Hello all, I'm a descent puter skilled user as far as my needs go but have a problem with another puter that's beyond my experience & I've looked & looked for help but have not been to the right place yet. My situation is that I'm trying to solve a problem with a Windows 95 System so atleast I can start the puter up & copy some files from it & then I'm planning to let my 7 yr old nephew have it to learn typing etc..
Ok all that said my question for the forum is: Does anyone know of any reliable/free ways I could get some support for a Windows 95 System? I'll appreciate anything that anyone might suggest cause the puter is really got me stumped.
My issue/problem with the system is...When I boot up Windows 95 I get these messages: The following file is either missing or corrupted C:\DEV\ATAPI_CD.SYS then the machine shuts down before it hardly even gets started. Right before the screen goes blank I see:There is an error in your config.sys file on line 1, for a brief second or two. This has me worried as far as my knowledge goes so I'm desperate here for finding anyone who might have any good ideas. Thanks ALL

 

[wolluf]

Jerry - Ed's last suggestion was to generate a bootlog of what is happening when windows loads. By reading that log you can get an idea of what is causing your problem. As you have access to safe mode, you could actually read such a log in windows (using wordpad), which is easier than from a dos prompt.

However, if that is a bit daunting, you also said you'd like to do a clean install of the operating system. This should be straightforward - though you did say you wanted to copy some files off. If these are not too large, you could do this in safe mode to floppy disks. Anyway, to do a clean install you need a win95 boot floppy with CD ROM support (available from here -

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

- choose correct version of 95), the windows 95 install CD & key and any hardware drivers which are not included with windows 95 (if you don't know which these are, you shoud be able to find them on the internet after you've installed 95).

Boot the PC from the 95 boot floppy with CD ROM support, with the install CD in the drive.
Just check you can read the CD from the dos prompt (eg, if the CD is drive d:, type d: then dir. should get a listing of folders and root files on the disk). If all ok, you can prepare the hard drive for the clean install by typing 'format c: /q' at the dos prompt (without the 's). This will wipe everything from the drive, so don't do it until you have retrieved everything you need. Next, type D:\setup (assuming CD drive is D: again). Now follow the instructions, supply details as asked during the install, and in 20 minutes or so you should have a new install of 95 up and running.

PS. If you want to continue to troubleshoot your existing installation, Ed gave you some other good advice earlier on.

1. Rename the files autoexec.bat and config.sys in the root of C: to something else (eg, autoexec.bak and config.bak). Try booting again.

2. If that doesn't enable 95 to boot, go into safe mode, bring up the run prompt from the start menu, type sysedit and run it. You should get several files open in a text editor. Look in win.ini, and check the lines which begin load=
run=

If there are any entries on the other side of the =, insert a ; at the beginning of the line (turns it into a comment).
Now look in system.ini. Use the search facility to look for
mssound.drv (in fact, look for sound.drv). Again, any lines containing sound.drv which you think are name you saw flashing up, put a ; at start of them.

Save any changes on exiting sysedit and reboot.

 

[TekTippy4U]

I read "almost" all the posts, except the last two....and it seems you can
1)Boot into SafeMode
Start >> Run Scandskw
if this works....skip Step 2
2)
Boot to "Command Prompt Only"
type Scandisk
press Enter
3)
Boot to "Command Prompt only"
type Dosstart.bat
press Enter
To try and load your CDROM Drivers....
(if it works, you'll notice your CDROM drivers loading, though I doubt it, at this point)

from C:change to CDROM Drive, type
D:\
press enter....if it shows D:type CD Win95 .....or if you have a 98 CD type CD Win98
(CD stands for Change Directory)

try E:\ from A:\ ...if you Booted using the Startup floppy, as D:\ will most likely br the RAM drive that's holding the Tools from the floppy boot..
If you booted from A:\ ...you'll need to switch to C:\ for Dosstart.bat and some others..(Don't EDIT the COnfig.sys and Autoexec.bat files found on your Floppy just yet...these are Different than your Config.sys and Autobat files found on your Hard Drive)

Depending on how old the PC is....the BIOS may not be "Boot from CD" capable (BIOS Boot order --> CDROM, A:, C:

DOS uses short file names (8.3)...so in Windows--> "Program Files" in DOS becomes PROGRA~1 usually (C:\PROGRA~1)

...and the (.3) part is the file extension...so a file called "My Text Documents.txt" becomes MYTEXT~1.TXT....(if you have two files or folders named with the same first 7 or 8 letters, then ~2,~3,~4 gets appended accordingly...the DIR command will list the correct name).

Use
Edit Config.sys to edit the config.sys file, say (or Safe Mode >> Start >Run SYSEDIT as wolluf said).....you must KNOW WHERE the file is and Navigate to that DIR first in DOS Mode, before trying to EDIT any file....AND you may have to UNHIDE and/or REMOVE the ATTRIBUTES as Edfair said about Bootlog.txt (Config.sys Autoexec.bat and Bootlog.txt ALL reside in C:\).....(Bootlog.txt is HIDDEN...so when in C:\...you need to type Attrib -h First, before you will even see it listed using DIR.

When in DOS, use Dir /p /o:n to list all the folders and files in their DOS names in Alphabetical Order (notice blank spaces in command)....(The /p will pause the screen to view it, hit "any" key to continue)

So from
Cor from any folder such as C:\MYDOCU~1 in DOS mode) is (C:\My Documents in Windows)..
type above Dir command and it'll list what's inside that folder(directory)...
Use the CD (Change Directory) command to navigate in DOS, as I showed above.

(Ex. from A:\)
type
C:\ press Enter to change to C:\ drive (you must go back to Drive Letter first (say "A:\" to Change the Drive Letter..say
to C:\ ......or to D:so from, oh say, this folder (C:\MYDOCU~1\PERSON~5\BANKST~1) to go back one folder...type CD......to go back to root..type CD\

OK......? end of quickie DOS lesson, for your viewing pleasure..

Do as wolluf said to view BOOTLOG.TXT in Safe Mode...
BTW..Wolluf, Edfair and others have more experience with Win95, ....just trying to fill in some blanks for ya
See
for MS-DOS help and commands:

http://www.computerhope.com/msdos.htm

Now as far as your Config.sys and Autoexec.bat go...see this as well

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;188157

just hold on to it for reference for now....
It may help, when you need to load your CDROM drivers, in both the Config and the Auto file....

When at Bootdisk.com read the READ1ST file


TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Edit;
2 quick corrections...
I said ....(if you have two files or folders named with the same first 7 or 8 letters, then ~2,~3,~4 gets appended) well.... it's more like the same first 6 characters

and i said to go back one folder...type CD......to go back to root..type CD\

when it should say
to move backwards one folder...type CD.. press Enter

to move backwards to root..type CD\ press Enter


TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.

 

[Jerry350X]

Hello All who have been following my situation & posts. I really appreciate the responces & suggestions & directions. These forums are something I've been overlooking for too long. There are alot of good knowledgable people here & I myself love to learn & share info & tips myself.
I've been working on this Windows 95 Computer with you guys & have copied ALL the posts to Word files. As for fixing the system I haven't had any change yet but I feel it will be up & running soon as I've not gotten too every suggestion quite yet.
Thanks EVERYONE again & i'm going to be away from home for several days due to medical problems that I "must" have examined & so on. If all's well I'll be back at the desk Wednesday of next week. I'll be sure to look back in on this forum & give the details about the Windows 95 System & weather I've managed to follow directions given here correctly. Thanks...til next week

 

[TekTippy4U]

OK Jerry350X...hope all is well with you....
and just to add;
It's just easier to remove all attributes at once
attrib -a -h -s -r Filename.ext(removes archive, hidden, system, and Read Only)
attrib +a +h +s +r Filename.ext (adds these attributes)

It's actually easier to go into Safe Mode and Right click on any file you want to view or edit....and choose Properties...and you'll see the Attributes, that you can "Tick" and "Untick", then click Apply..OK.
(Remember, if you can't Save (not Save As) an Edit you've made, it's cause the Read Only attribute is set)

I have a NotePad REG tweak I use, so I don't have to use the following procedure to view and edit usually unviewable files...
Click on, oh say, Config.sys to "select"...(or just hold your mouse pointer over it , depending on how you have it set)...Press and Hold SHIFT key and Right Click file and choose "Open With"...scroll down list to NotePad..Make sure that "box" for "always open files blahblahblah..." is NOT "ticked"

=====================
If you want a REG tweak, so you don't always have to do above..(can be done in Safe Mode, I think)
Start >> Run REGEDIT
FIRST..go to "View" menu and tick "Status bar"

In Left Pane, Navigate to;
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*
you'll need to Add these Keys in succession under each New one you make
Shell\NotePad\Command
(if "Shell" is there, you don't need to create it)
so....it looks like eventually
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\NotePad\Command

No values Need to be added to "Shell" or NotePad" keys
just the "Command" key (in the Left pane now) needs a
"Name" and "Data" (in the Right Pane)
Name=(Default) .....this should already be there
Data= C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE %1

==================================
To add keys....
Choose the * key to "select" in left pane and then Right Click on any Blank, Right Pane area
and choose NEW >> Key
Type in Shell for the first one (if necessary)

Now Choose Shell to "select" in left pane and then Right Click on any Blank, Right Pane area
and choose NEW >> Key
Type in NotePad for the next one

Now Choose NotePad to "select" in left pane and then Right Click on any Blank, Right Pane area
and choose NEW >> Key
Type in Command for the next one....so you have
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\Shell\NotePad\Command

=======================
FINALLY;
Now Choose Command to "select" in left pane and then Right Click on Default,located in Right Pane area
and choose Modify
and type in;
C:\WINDOWS\NOTEPAD.EXE %1
in the Value Data Box(notice the blank space before the "%")
click OK
(It'll enclose itself in quotes..this is Normal for the Registry)

Now when you Right Click on almost any file in Windows...you'll see a NotePad choice, and you can choose it to View any file.


I know, i know....more darn paper to print...

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs..All involved shall be spared the grief.

 

[Jerry350X]

I have made it back "A Day Late & A Dollar Short" guys. Thanks for the input & help in the past several days. I'm thinking after I feel a little more up to it health wise & can spend the time maybe I should try a format/reinstall to hopefully get this done & over with. If anyone still thinks that's the worst thing I could still do please post any comment. I'd also take any suggestions on the format/reinstall process (for the unexperienced) that anyone would care to take the time & patience with & post here.
Alrighty thanks again EVERYONE & hopefully I'll get this Old Schooler up & kicking isoon. I'll definitly be sure to post back when I get a good result since the Help here was what got me there. If things go bad "I'm givin up". (LOL)

 

[Jerry350X]

Guys I'm very greatful & appreciative of everyone who has been suggesting & making comments since I posted here. I have made the decision to go with reformatting & reinstalling considering I recently have a health situation that has me down & my full concentration isn't up to par for getting into a very deep & technicle fix for the Windows95 rig. I'm not even sure about myself quite yet on the reformatting but I'd love to round up a Windows 98SE disk & Key Code for a good cost that's reasonable for a system that's on it's way to being in the same area as Windows 95 as far as peoples interest & support. It has really impressed me that you guys have been so responsive & willing to post ideas & thoughts even though Windows95 is about as out of date as Bon Jovi. THANKS AGAIN!

 

[edfair]

Try ebay. Haven't followed the bidding lately, but while I was, the price seemed to be about $70.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.