Cannot get CD-Rom to function properly...

Hi,
I have a NEC 273 series cd-rom...IE5.5/98SE

Recently I used a tweaker program and I lost some function of my CD-Rom...

1. It will play music CD's fine with audio.

2. It will recognize a CD and list the name but will not find files to execute an install... I tried to install a new scanner, showed name but would not autorun. I tried to manually execute the file... Error: cannot find file in that drive etc...

3. I DO NOT have access to "SYSTEM" in the control panel... Icon will not open at all.

4. My main question is this: I do have a new
OEM 98SE full install edition coming next week... (bought on E-bay) What am I going to have to do if I cannot get this CD-Rom working by that time? Will the full edition automatically take care of everything once system is booted?

5. You may be wondering if I can re-install windows 98 from a disk? I CANNOT, this was a loaner upgrade from 95...

Thanks for reading, all advice is much appreciated!!
Rudy. :confused:

oem win 98SE will require a fresh install and will not load on an already installled platform.So you will need to unistall your present platform or if you wish Fdisk and format your drive, which can sometimes be easier to install a new platform. When you use your win98 SE boot disk it should find any CD_Roms present and load the files for the rom automatically and then you can load the platform from the CD-Rom. :)

Try reinstalling the drivers. here's the URL

:cool: CD Driver :cool:

Thank you both,
I failed to say in my original post that I have tried to install the drivers several times from NEC... No avail! The NEC test shows everything is working fine. I think my only option is to format the disk and start fresh... This computer is missing several files that has affected many things...

Would you elaborate on how to utilize this "FDISK" option and how to save some programs that I would like to keep.

Thanks,
Rudy.

Well if you can compress the files you want to keep and put them on flopy you will be okay. Next is formating and reinstalling your hard drive.

1)Get a bootable floopy for win98, your CD may come with one. If not (and your cdrom doesn't work) you will have to barow a computer with 98 on it to make a new one. [controle panel, add/remove softwere, click on the Emergency boot disk tab, folow the instructions.

2)Formating the drive. Boot from your floppy. When you get to the 'A:' type in 'fdisk/mbr' this will clean the master boot record. Next at the 'A:' type in 'format C:' folow the directions. I usualy reboot with the flopy at this point.

3)Boot from flopy, watching to see if it does pick up your cdrom, make not what drive letter it gives it. Some call it 'D:' sometimes 'E:' etc. At the 'A:' type the letter of the cdrom and setup.... 'D:setup'.
and you should be on your way. Good luck

first of all set your bios to boot from cdrom.c.a
check if your cdrom boots your new disk
if so

go into dos and cd\windows then delete *.win
then windows\system and do the same.

if not make yourself a boot up disk

reboot using cdrom or floppy and at the c:\prompt type MD 98 then type d:\cd98 then type copy *.* c:\98 , when all the cab files copy over type c:\98 then setup (by copying the cab files it will load quicker and you will not need your disk again to add/remove progs) load windows into a directory called window or something else.

when loaded check which programs work (and recreate shortcuts) any that dont , simply reload them or delete any full prog directories.

when all your progs are running , then delete your ORIGIONAL windows directory along with all subdirectorys.

this way you will not loose any of your personal letters or jpegs etc.

i have used this method before and it has worked in the past

Just wanted to say thanks for the responses!!
Im sure I did everything the long & hard way but everything is working fine now due to the new install of 95... I guess MS doesnt like you to go backwards ex: 98 > 95... With a little luck & alot of manual deletions... it worked. Thats what I get for doing a bootleg upgrade...

Thanks,
Rudy. :)

As you have a Full Win98SE cd coming and you'll want to install over your Win95/98/95 hybrid :D you'll need to do the following, otherwise setup will complain that your not using an 'upgrade' cd:-

1) rename c:\windows\win.com to win.bak
2) rename c:\windows\start Menu\Programs\Startup folder to startup.bak
3) drag and drop the Win98 directory from the CD to your hard drive
4) Reboot, press F8 when you see "Starting Windows 95" to get to the boot menu and choose Command Prompt Only
5) change directory to the Win98 directory that you copied to your hard drive (cd win98 probably)
6) Type Setup and hit return.
7) After setup completes, copy the contents of Startup.bak to the new Startup directory, delete the old .bak directory and the win.bak file and reboot.
8) Clap yourself on the back for a job well done.

As a note, i'd recommend you save your old config files when setup asks you if you want to, also a clean install is always gonna be better than an upgrade. Lastly, if setup hangs during plug & play setup, disable any real mode CDrom drivers in autoexec.bat and config.sys. :)