My dead computer is now beyond dead! Any suggestions

[Toller]

My computer was running "Winfixer" repeatedly. I don't know what it is,
except I sure didn't put it there and wanted to get rid of it.
To do that I ran an antivirus program call "Stinger".
Before "Stinger" completed, my system would and rebooted, over and over
again.
In safe mode I got as far as MUP.SYS
I took it to a repair shop. They said it was full of viruses and I had to
reload the operating system.
I did, but it still stopped at MUP.SYS.
I connected the drive to my 2nd computer and formatted the disk (it denied
having FDISK?!)
I loaded the operating system again, and it stopped at MUP.SYS.
I put an old WIN98 disk on the computer, and it runs fine.
I connected the disk to my other computer and loaded that computer's
operating system on it. (both WXP, but different models of emachine, and
the 2nd one is on DVD which the 1st computer does not have)
It runs my second computer just fine.
I put it on my first computer. It stops at AGPCPQ.SYS. Progress, it is
about 3 steps later than MUP.SYS.

It was suggested to me to run disk diagnostics on the disk. They showed a
dozen errors.
I ran a lowlevel disk formating process. It said the disk was bad. I tried
loading the OS again but got the same results.

In disgust I took my W98 disk and loaded WXP on it. I got the same results;
it hangs at MUP.SYS.
So it is not the disk.

What the hell is it? The CD is not defective, since a disk loaded by it
runs fine in my other computer. Memory?
The computer runs W98 fine, but I understand that is less demanding.

I am reloading W98 at the moment, and expect that to take another half day.
Had I known what I was in for, I would have bought a new computer; but do I
have any other options at this point?

 

[ANONYMOUS]

One option is to use KILDISK first. This ensures everything is wiped
clean. Format sometimes doesn't do the job properly especially when you
have a situatio like the one you are describing.

Download kildisk from here:

http://www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm

Then use your original XP CD to boot up and Format (full NTFS Format) it
and install of the OS. It should take less than 39 minutes to install
OS but drivers and other applications will take longer. You also need
to update the system with patches.

hth

 

[Guest]

Is the Win 98 "disk" a different HDD?
or is Win 98 "disk" a different CD?

What CD are you talking about here?
"The CD is not defective, since a disk loaded by it runs fine in my other
computer."

You never said that the OS CD from eMachine #1 with possible bad hard drive
ever loaded successfully. You said loaded OS on problem HDD with eMachine #2
OS CD while in eMachine #2. eMachine #1 will not run with OS from eMachine #2
on HDD when placed in eMachine #1. Only "possibility" is they are exact same
model.

So get a replacement OS CD for eMachine #1.
or
install win 98 and upgrade to Win XP.

Is Win 98 OS CD a full retail version?

Being this is OEM PC you should have been working with OEM Tech Support!!!
and possibly still can!!!!

SEE. Live Chat Support in Middle of page.
http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html

We can't help you anymore here. I don't think.

 

[Toller]

Is the Win 98 "disk" a different HDD?

Yes, the W98 disk is a different HDD. It runs fine in computer one.

or is Win 98 "disk" a different CD?

What CD are you talking about here?
"The CD is not defective, since a disk loaded by it runs fine in my other
computer."

The WXP install cd for the first computer.

You never said that the OS CD from eMachine #1 with possible bad hard
drive
ever loaded successfully. You said loaded OS on problem HDD with eMachine
#2
OS CD while in eMachine #2. eMachine #1 will not run with OS from eMachine
#2
on HDD when placed in eMachine #1. Only "possibility" is they are exact
same
model.

I loaded the CD1 on the disk using computer 2, and it failed at MUP.SYS
I loaded computer 2's DVD on the disk using computer 2 and it failed a
couple steps past MUP.SYS
Both work fine in computer 2.

So get a replacement OS CD for eMachine #1.

Could be, but little chance Emachines will give me one. Besides, the disk
with computer 2's system on it hangs also; so I don't think it is the OS CD.
I understand it will not run, but it should at least load.

or
install win 98 and upgrade to Win XP.

Its a 2 year old computer, possibly with a hardware problem. I would buy a
new computer first.

Is Win 98 OS CD a full retail version?
Yes

Being this is OEM PC you should have been working with OEM Tech Support!!!
and possibly still can!!!!

Yeh, but just try reaching a tech at emachines. They are cheap, but that is
the price. Besides, it is out of warranty, and they would probably charge
as much as a new computer just to talk to me. Supposedly email are free,
but that is only because they are also useless.

SEE. Live Chat Support in Middle of page.
http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html

I tried that. Better chance throwing the machine up in the air and hoping
it works after landing somehow.

We can't help you anymore here. I don't think.

Maybe not, but thanks for your efforts.