[Marie111]

Hi all,

Can someone please help me. I have a back-up computer that runs Windows 98 second edition. Lately it has been giving messages of boot failure. Doing what it tells me by inserting the boot disk doesn't work. I tried reinstalling windows; it still did the same thing. But... if I left it for a few days and switched back on, it would load up ok and work for a few minutes before freezing, and then going back to boot failure when I tried to get back on.

It's difficult to even get to the boot failure message. Computer sticks and I have to press escape to make it even attempt loading up.

And now I can't even try to reinstall Windows, as I keep getting the message: Error # 1826 Free Space not found :(

[philthomas]

It sounds like the Hard Drive may be dying or dead.

If you can get your hands on a spare drive, without spending money, try replacing the drive and see if this resolves it.

P.S.
I'm assuming you have an original W98 CD and Start Up Floppy disk yes ? .... not a Recovery Disk

[Marie111]

Many thanks! Yes, have the original CD and floppy. Means a lot to be put on the right track instead of pulling my hair trying to guess what the thing is up to :)

Thanks again,
Marie