Hard Disk Controllers

Hello

I am having problems with my cdrom drive on my windows 95 computer. The cdrom drive works fine because I have used it in another windows 95 computer. I have tried to format the hard drive and wipe the system clean, but I get an error message saying "unable to create error.log" My hard disk controller has an exclamation point over the primary IDE. I am willing to do a reformat of the hard drive because I have retrieved all the files I need from the computer. I have tried to reinstall the hard disk controller and update the driver but no luck. I may have deleted a directory at a point in my earlier days none-knowledgeable computer days. Windows 95 will load and works. I just can't install or retrieve files from cdrom. I do have another computer running windows 95 that I can retrieve generic files from. How can I fix this problem?

the computer is and old Packard Bell multimedia C115

hello

I am replying to my own post. The issue above is solved sort of. I twitched around with the computer and finally got the hard drive to format. I switched the ide cables from hard disk and cdrom. everything began to work properly. I formatted the hard drive and now I am getting a CDR101 message. I believe it is an error when I load my driver for the cdrom. Can anyone help?

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

Any help?

Does the CDROM drive work OK in DOS if you boot from a floppy boot disk with CDROM support?

Jerry

That message can appear if the CD-ROM disc is upside down in the CD-ROM drive.

Hi There,

I've been having the same problem as the original one listed on this thread. When I attempt to reformat my old windows95 computer, I get an error message when the Master CD begins to load, saying "unable to create error.log".

I admit that I'm very much a novice, and know little about the innards of my comp. My wanting to reformat was resultant of my computer perpetually being unable to recognize my modem, and my com1-3 ports disappearing.

If anyone can give me a hint as to what I should do, I'd be extremely grateful...all I want is a simple reformat :(

Thank You so much in advance!

Hi bifftoestopper:

You DO realize that reformatting will ERASE everything on your hard drive, and you will need to re-install the Windows operating system, don't you?

I remember hearing a wise man once say, "FORMAT is not a 'repair tool.'"

Jerry

Hi Jerry, and thank you for your reply!

I do realize that a reformat will erase everything, and so, I spent a good deal of time last evening backing up every personal file/folder/picture etc. (I transferred everything to my other, newer computer via floppy disk). So that's no problem, I'm totally prepared.

Good. I just thought I'd check. A lot of people think FORMAT is some sort of "squaring away" tool to make everything neat.

You will need your Windows 95 "full install" CD or set of floppies, and the secret activation number that came with the CD. If you don't have it, it can be retrieved from the current working installation (right-click on MY COMPUTER -> PROPERTIES), or it can probably be retrieved even if Windows won't boot by using DOS. Post back here if you need help, but be sure you have it handy before you reformat -- once it's gone, there's no way to retrieve it from the CD.

You will also need a bootable floppy disk with CDROM drivers. This will have the FORMAT program on it to wipe the C drive. It will also have enough DOS to run your CD drive after you've wiped everything from the C drive. If you don't already have one, you can download a bootdisk from here:
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
Be sure to follow the directions in "Docs" about 2/3 of the way down the page.

Here are some of my favorite "How to reinstall Win95" guides:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robert....matinstall.htm
http://freepctech.com/pc/001/003.shtml
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/index.html
http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.html
http://www.netpathway.com/~kramer/reinstall.html
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/clean1.html
http://www.geocities.com/politalk/win95/install.htm

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

Thanks so much for your help! I used the information/links you supplied, and my reformat went very smoothly. I'm very grateful for your quick response :D

The only issue I have now is with my modem. The disappearing ports corrected themselves in the format, but my modem is only registering "No Dial Tone" when I try to connect. (my phoneline is fine and the number I'm dialing is correct). However, when I check the "more information" button on the diagnostics/advanced tab in the modems section, my modem interacts and sends back data alluding to it being in proper working order.

Originally I had a little splitter device with one slot for the phoneline and one slot for the phone, and this was attatched to a cord that fit into the one phoneline slot on my computer. However, the "phone" slot on this device ceased to work, and now I have the phoneline running directly into the comp.

Is it somehow possible that my modem wouldn't work without one of those little splitter things? Or is my modem fried, even tho it interacts properly with my diagnostcs queary?

Any info at all would be a huge help. Thank you for everything!

Plug a phone into the wire from the wall. If you get a dial tone, something is wrong with the modem (settings, installation, etc) or you MAY have it plugged into the wrong inlet of the computer? Try the other.

Post back what you've done.

PS: in the future, start your own link, don't HIJACK someone else's.

Hi Ralph,

I plugged a phone into the wire, and it works fine. Maybe the problem is the Com port my modem is installed at? Back before everything went batty and I had to reformat, my modem was installed in COM1. After this reformat, its located at COM2. Does that make a difference?

Ps...I posted to this thread because it was the only thing I found on the internet that related to the problem I was having. I didn't realize it was impolite. I'm pretty new to all this, so I apologize for my mistake.

Thank you very much for your reply!

(I forgot to add that there is only one spot on my computer where a phoneline can be inserted.)

Hi Biff:

Once you've determined that the phone line actually works (by plugging a telephone into it), try this test next.

Win95 has a little feature called PHONE DIALER. If it's installed, you'll probably find it here:
START -> ACCESSORIES -> COMMUNICATIONS -> PHONE DIALER.

Connect your computer to the telephone line, then type a phone number in the PHONE DIALER "Number to dial" box, and click DIAL. You should HEAR the dial tone, and the dialing through your computer speaker. Does that work?

If you don't have PHONE DIALER already installed, you can add it:
START -> SETTINGS -> CONTROL PANEL -> ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS
Click on the WINDOWS SETUP tab.
Double click on COMMUNICATIONS.
Scroll down and check PHONE DIALER, then OK.
You may be asked to insert your Windows installer CD.

If you hear dial tone and dialing, then we know your telephone connections are all good, and can start looking at other problems.

Jerry

In Windows 95 and 98 a modem will pass internal diagnostics but that does not mean it will dial out. All that means is that the system is communicating with the hardware correctly.

Remove all splitters. Plug the modem straight into the wall.
Make sure that you have it plugged into the correct jack on the back of the modem. The line in jack. Some modems will not work if it is not plugged in correctly.

If that doenst work, replace the modem.
Its only a ten dollar part

Hi Jerry and PC Solutions,

I tried the tip you gave me about the Windows Phone Dialer, and sadly, it too cannot detect a dial tone. It seems as though my modem is bust, and I will have to replace it as PC Solutions suggested.

That being said, I just wanted to thank everyone for all the help given to me in this thread, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it! I'd particularly like to say thank you to Jerry- your advice was definitely responsible for my successful reformat.

This is the most helpful site around! :)

Hi Biff:

Yep. It sure sounds like the modem is dead. If you have a PCMCIA slot, you can get "cardbuss" modems for around $10 at http://search.ebay.com/pcmcia-modem . I got a 3COM 56K modem there, and Win95 recognized it immediately without any special software, and I didn't have to dig around inside my computer case.

Jerry

Here's another idea:

Right-click on MY COMPUTER, then left-click on PROPERTIES. Click on the DEVICE MANAGER tab. Double-click on MODEM in the list (if MODEM appears). One (or more) entries may appear under MODEM. Click on the first one, then click REMOVE. Do this for all the modem entries.

Reboot your computer. It will look for new drivers for all the modems it finds. Maybe this will fix the problem.

Jerry

Hi Jerry!

I looked at the Device manager, and there is only one modem listed, and there's only one listed under the "Ports" section as well. (Before I reformatted, there was a single modem listed under "Modems" and two of the same listed under "Ports", on COM2 and COM5). Indeed it looks as if my modem is fried, although should something like this ever happen again, I'll now be armed with many troubleshooting tips. :)

So the type of modem I should look for on ebay is a "cardbuss"? I know the name of my current modem is the "Sound4 Winmodem", maybe that will be helpful in my searching out a replacement.

Thank you so much for your reply (replies)!

Well -- "cardbuss" describes a type of circuit board. It's about the size of a credit card, and there's usually a socket for it that's easily accessible from the outside of the computer case. Very popular on laptops. If you don't have this kind of socket (PCMCIA) already, the "cardbuss" type modem won't help you.

Jerry

Hi Jerry,

I don't think I have this type of circuit board...When I look at the back of my computer, all I see are the large spots for the printer/monitor/scanner etc to attatch (not sure of the technical terms there), the small holes for the keyboard, mouse and spekers, the space reserved for insertion of the phone cord, and two small slots that look sort of like usb ports. :confused:

So assuming that I'm not equipt for a cardbuss, I suppose I'll need to find a modem that's designed to be internal. I've heard that once the modem is located, it can be removed and reattatched with the simple use of a screwdiriver. But isn't it true that if I were to replace an internal modem, I'd need to seek out and install its specific driver?

Thank you so much for your help!

Hi Biff:

Maybe -- but maybe not. Win95 comes with a lot of built-in drivers, and will try to make your new modem work without your installing special drivers. A brand new modem may not work without new drivers if it's been made in the last few years because when Win95 was designed, they couldn't foresee all the future equipment that it might have to deal with.

If you don't want to dig around inside your computer case, don't forget "serial port" modems were/are sold, and might be easier to install. I found some new ones here:
http://www.partshelf.com/gvcexserpor5.html
which clain to work with Win95.

Also check out eBay:
http://search.ebay.com/serial-port-modem
but be careful to confirm that whatever brand you buy will work with Win95.

Jerry