DOS Error Message, Computer Wont Start

[Sacofjoea]

I keep getting the error "Insufficient Memory" in the DOS prompt when I try to restart my computer. I tried booting up with my system recovery cd, and my boot disk, but none helped. What is wrong with my computer? I know I have more than enough memory...
After it writes "Insufficient Memory" twice on the screen, it then asks me to press any key. It then gives me the C prompt...

[Gen-X]

Restart your computer but hold down F5 (or is it F8).

It will start your computer in SAFE mode and you can then look at a file on your harddrive called BOOT.LOG or something similar. It will tell you where it went wrong.

[Sacofjoea]

well... had a friend suggest that..but the computer still did the same.
No matter, I ran my backup cd without formatting, but a problem happened...

It replaced all of my system files, but left my program files. So the registry was cleared, and now I got a bunch of files that dont do anything...

Format would have been just as good

[Paul282]

Couldn't you just reinstall over the top? that'll keep all your files, settings and programs etc.

There is also an option (was in dos) that lets Y/N to the items in autoexec etc so that you know whats loading and causing the problem.

If something's missing or a sys file replaced with an older version, you'll need a re-install. What did you do last time you used your PC?

[sanjay]

there is an internal error
u canreinstall windows(without formatting harddisk drive)
this is the better way to solve ur problem

1. The RAM cards have unsetted themselves, open up the cover and reseat them.

2. You loaded some software which needs inordinate amount of lower level RAM, (first 64k) which doesn't allow Win32 enough space to load. From the C:> prompt edit the boot files and have a look

3. You laptop is cactus......cry, throw a tantrum, storm down to your hardware dealer and demand a remedy.

There is also an option to step through the bootup process, caren't remember the exact command to do this, but you local dealer will know it. Step through the boot till you hit the problem and post it here.

Unfortunatly with laptops, (as opposed to desktops), the manufacturers included a heap of their own drivers and TSRs, some of which just sux, any one of which could cause your problem...i.e is not even getting to the Win boot files.

Try to get into the BIOS setup and have a look at what they are loading there.

[Sophtware]

How could i use that code if i wanted to that is??
Just a brief explanation please.. thanks

[Paul282]

What code? BIOS?????

hit Del or F1 (depending on your pc) while the system is counting ram at boot time...

or are you talking about something else?

BIOS is BIOS, it tells your PC what drives, cards etc you have. It also indicates the drive boot sequence, e.g A:->C:
as well as numerous other real low level stuff.

Some laptop manufacturers hide little TSRs in the BIOS and they get executed on bootup, generally when you call up BIOS you can toggle them on or off. Had a problem similar to yours with a Toshiba Notebook, which had a honda card in it. The BIOS was booting up TSRs to managed the card in low level memory, rather than via software drivers in Windows. Got to the BIOS, by holding down CTRL-F1 on bootup and toggled the TSR loads off.

When your PC first boots, you should see a message saying something about BIOS and which keys to hit to bring it up.

I am not saying this will resolve your problem, but it is a place to look at. If unsure or never having setup BIOS options, don't attempt it, you could totally screw your PC.

Specially don't reset your hard drive(s) configurations unless you have the full details of sectors per head, corrupt areas etc.

Ok which version of Windows are you using, Pre 2000 it needs substantial amounts of the first 640k or memory, (primary memory). It doesn't matter if you have gigabytes beyond the first 640k, cause this is extended memory.

Example: Some old dos games wont run under Win95 & 98 cause there is not enough primary memory and they give an Insufficient memory error.

When you drop out to the C:> prompt try running the mem command to see what's loaded in primary memory.

Also try path to see if DOS is actually loading itself.

Report back on results.

[Paul282]

The HDD's are not so much a problem now with the auto detect, it used to be a nightmare when a customer wanted their HDD moved to a new system because the old system had a dead motherboard, you'd be pissing about with heads and cylinder counts on the basis of the customers "I think it was 500mb drive.. or was it 5000.. it's megabytes isn't? the way you count disk thingies? "

aaaaaaarrggghhhhhhh thank god those days are over

About reinstalling your computer and keeping all files on it..try this in DOS Prompt:

cd windows
cd options
cd cabs
setup

Than everything should go automatically. You may have to press okay with the keyboard. But if you have those files, than your computer will be able to be reinstalled without losing any files. It will just replace any damaged system files. Hope that helps.

[parksie]

It's never a good idea to use a system restore CD...easiest way is just rename your windows folder, do a clean install IN A NEW FOLDER, then reinstall all your apps & games. (keep the old windows folder to copy necessary DLLs from).