And old computer, a new problem...

[BlazinDragon]

About a week ago i decided to haul up my oooold compaq presario with windows 3.1x and install it in my room.

I got the quick restore diskette and then the cd and i followed the instructions (it took a bit to find the serial number which actually wasnt on the computer, but in the computer manual) and i followed and inputted the serial number into the space provided. It started installing then produced an error (i forget the first one) but the second message said "Abnormal application termination" and it quit.

If anyone here specializes in installing computer software/installation of a new system, please respond.

~Dragoon DR

P.S. For some reason i am typing extremely fast today and this message only took me less than 3 minutes to type. WOW.

[Link]

It's possible that the install material or even the computer hardware has just deteriorated over time. My very old computer, for example, has trouble reading CDs that work fine in other computers.

Which operating system are you trying to install? Don't try to install Windows 3.1, because you won't be able to run programs such as Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger. Usually Windows 98 will run well on old computers, or you could install Linux.

[BlazinDragon]

im not trying to install internet on my old 3.1/95 updated computer, im just trying to install the primary computer software so that i can play one or two dos games without any touble on my ME PC ^^'.

OS stats AFAIK:

System: Windows 3.1x, but comes with a windows 95 update
Internet: None (N/A to this problem ATM)
RAM: 16384 kb (memorized it years ago)
Memory on C: drive: I think it was slightly less than 1 gig, i think it was 0.98 GB

The first error says something like image 1: error with imaging, (something) cannot write clusters (probably data clusters).

How can i solve this particulairily annoying problem?

and dont tell my old <s>trusted</s> computer has broken down! *cries*

[BlazinDragon]

please gimme a hand with my computer, iw anna get my old dos classic game up and running again!

[scatman]

cluster error eh?
it might mean that your hdd crashed...
try the "format c: /s" command from a floppy and then scaan your disk for errors, aand then use the win. instaall disks.

[BlazinDragon]

how do i get to that step?

And when/where do i input it into?

[Link]

how do i get to that step?

And when/where do i input it into?

Remember our conversation yesterday: type that at the command prompt when you start the computer from a boot disk. Here are some more detailed instructions (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000186.htm) that might help.

[scatman]

Link just posted a good link? whaHah! Yes format schould be executed from the command prompt, using a boot disk. (a plain bootdisk does not always have format, so you should add it for yourself...) i could send you a copy of a good boot disk, but there are nough sites that offer free downloads for bootdisks for all operating systems. just use google, search for "download win95 free bootdisk" (I think it is best to use win 95, maybe win 98 is doable too?) these sites just giv you a seelf extracting fil, that you schould extract on an empty floppy disk. insert the disk in your old comp and start it up. then type the "format C: /s" line to erase the c drive and make it "system disk" so you can directly boot from it, instead of having to usee a bootfloppy all the time...

sorry for double aa's or ee's or missing ee's my keyboard is a bit whackd up.

~Alex