Windows 98 files not showing in XP

[Guest]

I have a hard drive from a windows 98 computer that was installed into an
external case. I can access most of the files on there with my XP computer,
but some files do not open or show up when I browse the external drive.
Example. Some pictures and music files as well as others. I don't understand
why one opens and not the other when both files were dwled from the same
place. I dwnld a radio show that comes in 4 parts. Part one & 4 might open
and 2 & 3 won't. I don't get it. The Compatibility option doesn't help
either. Thanks.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I have a hard drive from a windows 98 computer that was installed into an
external case. I can access most of the files on there with my XP
computer,
but some files do not open or show up when I browse the external drive.
Example. Some pictures and music files as well as others. I don't
understand
why one opens and not the other when both files were dwled from the same
place. I dwnld a radio show that comes in 4 parts. Part one & 4 might open
and 2 & 3 won't. I don't get it. The Compatibility option doesn't help
either. Thanks.

It would be a good idea to quote some actual file names and to
report what happens when you try to open them.

 

[Lil' Dave]

I have a hard drive from a windows 98 computer that was installed into an
external case. I can access most of the files on there with my XP
computer,
but some files do not open or show up when I browse the external drive.
Example. Some pictures and music files as well as others. I don't
understand
why one opens and not the other when both files were dwled from the same
place. I dwnld a radio show that comes in 4 parts. Part one & 4 might open
and 2 & 3 won't. I don't get it. The Compatibility option doesn't help
either. Thanks.

Have seen this in similar circumstances. Moving onboard ide or external
case, same results. Moving back same hard drive back to its home, no
problem viewing all files from the MS OS it operates with. Further research
online, found may be due to minor differences in CHS interpretation of the
hard drive by the onboard bios of one PC as compared to another. Both PCs
set to auto for interpretation (external case does this without prompt), lba
enabled. If that exists, and 98 is operating on the other PC, the only way
to recover what you want is by LAN connection PC to PC.
Dave

 

[Guest]

Hi Pegasus. Tks for the response. An example is "MY Music" folder. There are
only mp3 files in there. When I click on the folder I get a message that says
"The Parameter is Incorrect".

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that info Dave. Glad I'm not alone in this. I have pics and music
I want to transfer to my new comp. and I can't do that if I can't even open
the file. I also noticed that some pics and music mp3's will copy just fine
and others won't.

Your comment on connecting pc to pc is just what I figured I have to do. My
old comp doesn't have a connection for cable, so I kept my dial-up account
just for that purpose, figuring I'll have to transfer those files I can't
access by file transfer using Messenger or a file transfer program. A bit of
a pain to have to put my old hard drive back into the old computer, but if I
have to I have to. I'm just hoping the old computer and hard drive will work
OK when I put the old drive back into the old case.

 

[Lil' Dave]

If such a problem I described exists, the files that do show up and copy may
be internally corrupt slightly. Like a picture being a bit off, like that.

Try a USB thumb drive. Will need a driver for 98, 98 Second Edition may be
okay without it. There's also the serial port interface, PC to PC. You'll
need a serial to serial port cable, not a printer cable. Slow, but faster
than dialup procedure via email or internet storage site.

If you have sizable pictures and so forth, feel your pain regarding dial-up
account.
Dave

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Can you copy the files to a different folder, then open them there?

 

[Guest]

No. I can't even open the folder, so can't even see what's in it to copy.

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave. I don't have a thumb drive. I do have a voice recorder and a couple
of mp3 players that I can save files to. Not sure if that would be considered
thumb drive. My 98 comp doesn't even have a USB port, but it does have a
Network connection and I bought a serial cable for that reason. However both
my brother and nephew who work with and build computers have never been able
to get it to work. They say the network card is no good. Funny, but that card
worked when my brother had that computer. I think they just don't take the
time to figure out why it's not working. They don't come here often, but when
they do, they are always in a rush. I appreciate the time you are taking to
help me out. As for the dial-up connection, I should have put the 98 hard
drive back in it's original case months ago. I've been paying for that
dial-up for months now for nothing. Only $10 a month, but a waste of money.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

This means that the file system on that disk is corrupted. This problem
is unrelated to Windows 98 or Windows XP. Your best bet is to get
the files back from your backup medium.

 

[Guest]

Possibly, but all was working fine before the hard drive was put into the
external case. I don't know how the file sys would have gotten corrupted,
unless my nephew who installed the drive into the external case did something
to them. I highly doubt that however. Guess I'll find out when I put the hard
drive back into the old computer. Thanks for your input.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Have you considered the possibility that your external
disk case may be a lemon? Why not open the case of
your PC and connect the disk as a slave disk?

 

[Lil' Dave]

Hate to say this, something along the way regarding a LAN card and serial
cable go lost in the translation. A LAN card doesn't use a serial cable. A
serial cable regarding what I'm talking about connect from serial port of
one PC to another PC (COM1 or COM2), NOTHING to do with LAN.

And yes, there are problematic things out there regarding connecting XP to
98 PCs on a LAN system. That's why I avoided mentioning that as a solution
in the previous reply. If it did work would be substantially faster.
Dave

 

[Lil' Dave]

I know you mean well. But, you may be taking the OP down the wrong road
indicating corruption by XP's viewpoint of an introducted hard drive from
another PC. I suggest you do some research outside XP and other windows
expertise regarding that.
Dave

 

[Lil' Dave]

Whether the former PC's hard drive was moved onboard another PC or external
case is of no consequence. The bios/firmware perception of the hard drive's
CHS, LBA and so forth information is the question compared to where the hard
drive formerly resided. Onboard or external, one or both may have the same
results. Yet, the hard drive may function and show all files, and all file
data may be internally correct on the original PC. Such result doesn't make
the external case a lemon or othewise defective. Has NOTHING to do with the
operating system.
Dave

 

[Guest]

Hi again Dave. From what I know, the Lan is the connection to the internet
and the Serial cable and port is for Networking. Do I have this right? The
internet over dial up was working fine in the original case. It's the
Networking card that I was told that didn't work. In any case, it looks like
I will have to put the hard drive back in the old case. Thanks again for all
your help. It is greatly appreciated.