Invalid System Disk

[laurmirk]

Hello!

My sister was just given an older computer (approx 6 years old) that came with Windows 98 (upgraded from Win 95).

There were numerous programs, files, etc. that were not needed, it was terribly slow, there were problems with the mouse, I needed to install hardware and didn't have windows CD with driver on it, etc.

SO... I decided to borrow a Windows 95 CD, format the hard drive, reinstall windows, clear everything out of the hard drive and install only the necessary and needed applications.

I may not have done this the correct way......

WELL... I typed format c:\ ...etc. etc. The hard drive was formatted and clear. I put the Windows 95 CD in the computer (thinking that it will now boot up in CD-ROM mode.... well, it doesn't. I thought you could press F6 or F7 and specify how to boot up but that didn't work either. I tried many things.

SO... my problem is that I can't get the Windows 95 CD to boot up in CD-ROM mode to re-install Windows... I even went to into set-up and changed the first startup disk to CD, second to floppy and third to HD but it failed also... continued to say invalid system disk.

I've done this before on my computer and once I placed the CD in the drive it automatically asks me if I want to boot from the HD or the CD-ROM.

Do I need to be holding some key down or what? What am I doing wrong? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[pyritechips]

<img src="http://forums.techguy.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=711823">

Hello!

If you want to install windows use a Win98 boot disc, which you can get HERE

The Win98 boot floppy has generic CD-ROM drivers; with them DOS cannot operate it. Just unzip it and save it to a blank floppy. Then boot you system with it. When it loads your CD drive will be pushed back one letter. If it was D: it will now be E:

Type E: to get to the CD-ROM drive then if you have a legit Windows installation CD, typing setup should start the process.

Mkae sure you have the correct product key for it!

 

[$teve]

laurmirk 95 and 98 operating systems are not bootable from cd.............you need to boot from startup floppy disk first.

 

[$teve]

?????????????and why didnt i see pc`s post above?????????

 

[pyritechips]

?????????????and why didnt i see pc`s post above?????????

That's ok $teve. It's late and we're probably both tired!

Also: Invalid system disc is the error given by the BIOS when it cannot find a bootable disc, either floppy, HDD or CD-ROM. A bad boot floppy will also give that error.

 

[jm100dm]

quote:
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?????????????and why didnt i see pc`s post above?????????
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Tools\internet options\settings
Do you have (every visit to the page) checked?

 

[$teve]

Tools\internet options\settings

yes...........its my brain and eyes that need re setting

 

[laurmirk]

Wow! Thanks guys!

I've been on Win XP for a while and honestly forgot about the floppy boot disk. Thanks, I'll attempt it tomorrow!

=)