reformat

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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

So i've reformatted drive c using dos.

now when i restart my computer, it tells me

"Invalid system disk
Replace the disk, and then press any key"

what is the system disk? what do i do? where do i go from here?

thanks
 
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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

On Tue, 5 Apr 2005 23:23:03 -0700, Sean Simpson <Sean
Simpson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>So i've reformatted drive c using dos.
>
>now when i restart my computer, it tells me
>
>"Invalid system disk
>Replace the disk, and then press any key"
>
>what is the system disk? what do i do? where do i go from here?
>
>thanks

Sean,

Boot with a Win98 Startup diskette and enter SYS C:
That will put the boot files on the HD.
To install Windows, boot with the diskette, change to the CDrom
drive with the Windows CD in and enter Setup.

If the machine you are on now uses Win 98 you can make a Startup
diskette in Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
 
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Guest

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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

The reason for the message is that system boot files are either not in the
proper location of the boot partition, or, are not present.

The PC is attempting to boot from the partition after you formatted.
Formatting elminates all file locations recording in the FAT. So, it can'
find the boot files.

Installing a MS operating system puts the boot files in the proper location.
If you want to do this twice, first use the "sys c:" method mentioned in
another reply.
"Sean Simpson" <Sean Simpson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5630C165-FCA4-4C1A-B158-7F5D1805BC7C@microsoft.com...
> So i've reformatted drive c using dos.
>
> now when i restart my computer, it tells me
>
> "Invalid system disk
> Replace the disk, and then press any key"
>
> what is the system disk? what do i do? where do i go from here?
>
> thanks
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Sean Simpson wrote:
> So i've reformatted drive c using dos.
>
> now when i restart my computer, it tells me
>
> "Invalid system disk
> Replace the disk, and then press any key"
>
> what is the system disk?

It is whatever is supposed to boot the computer; in your case
(presumably) the hard drive.
_________________

> what do i do? where do i go from here?

You install Windows on your reformatted drive.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

You want to do a FRESH Install? Are you pure Windows or OEM, such as
Compaq? If you are OEM, then you can get back to factory condition by
using their recovery CD, such as QuickRestore, which may contain
proprietary drivers and add-ons. Otherwise...

http://www.hexff.com/index.html How to Clean Install
This first has it all, but..
(a) Perhaps don't do the 2.5 swap file thing, &
(b) You may rather have multiple partitions, &
(c) Attend it's warning: Have any non-Windows peripheral drivers
available to install afterwards. Here...
http://www.pchelpandconsulting.com/links/windows.html WinDrvExpert
http://www.jermar.com/wdrvbck.htm WinDrvBckup free version
Those two supposedly back up all currently installed drivers, such that
they can be reinstalled. I never tried it but have seen a favorable
report.

http://home.satx.rr.com/badour/html/w98_restore.html Badour has one
http://aumha.org/win4/a/clean.htm Aumha has one
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=250928 How to Reinstall Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=193902
How to Reinstall Windows into a new folder

"Setup.txt", located in the same folder as "Setup.exe", either on CD or
hard drive. This instructs how to run it from a folder on the hard
drive, but "hexff" says it better.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;129971&Product=w98
"SU" Error Message List for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup

Get a Startup Diskette from
http://www.bootdisk.com/ , if you don't already have one from "Control
Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk tab". Test the Startup
Diskette. Boot it, put in a CD and "DIR" the CD. It will say which
letter is the CD. (Otherwise, it is likely one letter higher than
normal.)

Here is what I know of those Installation CD's. The full list of
capabilities of each type of CD is as follows, says Harper. Each
requires a valid Product key. "Proof" means it must see you had a prior
version. So, if it isn't sitting there, expect to insert a floppy or
earlier CD.

FULL VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of existing
OS. Does not ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version.

UPGRADE VERSION: Will perform either clean install or upgrade of
existing OS. Will ask for proof of ownership of an earlier version if
one is not installed.

WIN98 SE UPDATES: Will only install if Windows 98 is present on the hard
drive. Cannot be used for a clean install at all.

OEM VERSION: Only installs on a clean, fresh-formatted hard drive. May
be customized to include or omit components that would be found/not
found on a retail CD.

Be sure of your ProductKey...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
ProductKey "12345-12345-12345-12345-12345"

(1) "START, Run, RegEdit"
(2) Click plus signs beginning at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE", & ending with
"Windows".
(3) Click "CurrentVersion" in the left pane under "Windows".
(4) Look in right pane for ProductKey.

That is the one that was used to install your current Windows. Jot it
down, as it may work if different from the one on your Windows 98 Manual
or CD case.


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net
"Sean Simpson" <Sean Simpson@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5630C165-FCA4-4C1A-B158-7F5D1805BC7C@microsoft.com...
| So i've reformatted drive c using dos.
|
| now when i restart my computer, it tells me
|
| "Invalid system disk
| Replace the disk, and then press any key"
|
| what is the system disk? what do i do? where do i go from here?
|
| thanks