Originally Posted by D-A-L

Have you got the Windows ME CD?

Actually, I may be confused about your question. Are you referring to something other than a specific boot/start-up disk or recovery disk? If so, what should I be looking for on the disk label? I do have a number of other disks that came with the computer, so if I know exactly what to look it would be helpful.

OK, being a Dell actually you may only have a Dell recovery CD, have a look through your system CD's and see what you have, something like System Restore or System Recovery CD?

I'll take a look tonight. Thanks for the suggestion.

If you need to make a floppy boot disk, you could get one from http://www.bootdisk.com. You can do that from your work PC - it doesn't need to be one running Windows ME. This web site normally uses an image file and a program to extract the image file onto a blank floppy disk, thus creating a bootable "startup disk" in the process. You'll be able to take that back home and try booting your system from it. But, to be honest, I don't think that will get Windows started. It's more likely that you'll need to replace the IFSHLP.SYS file.

I've definitely seen this problem before (probably had it myself at some point) so I'll have a look around and see if I can find a resolution for you. Unfortunately, I'm on the dreaded Windows XP at the moment, which is entirely different, so I'll need to do some web research. I'll have a look now but it's nearly 2.30am so I might have to go to bed in a minute!

OK, here's my suggestions:

1. Boot up from a floppy boot disk. At the A:> prompt or C:> prompt, type attrib -s -h -r c:\msdos.sys and press Enter (note the spaces). Then type edit c:\msdos.sys and press Enter.

This should open up the DOS file editor which will allow you to check the contents. There should be a line in there which has the word WinBootDir - make sure this has the correct path to your install of windows (Probably C:\Windows). If it is wrong, correct it. Save the file and exit the DOS file editor application. Restart the PC.

2. If that doesn't work, boot from the floppy again and, at the A:> prompt or C:> prompt, type a:\scanreg /restore and press Enter. Follow any on-screen prompts for the system to scan the registry and restore the latest known good copy. Reboot the PC after it has finished.

3. If that still doesn't work, refer to this Microsoft support article: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=258471

Let us know if that helps

Originally Posted by D-A-L

Hi,

The techs here are mega busy these days

Your not kidding D-A-L, I've been working at least 60 hours a week for the last two months But hey I can always use the money

Thanks a lot for the suggestion. I will try that and see if it works. I appreciate the advice!