No system disk

We're trying to start a win 98 that hasn't been used in awhile. After we found a ground out of place on a fan, we got a message: no system disk or error on disk. Replace and press any key to start.
Any suggestions? . . .please? Oh, it's a Compaq.

 

The first thing to do is make sure you don't have a "non bootable" floppy disk in the drive. If nothing there, use a boot (startup disk) for the exact windows version installed and at the a:\> prompt enter:

sys c:

You should get a message "system files transferred". Remove the boot disk and ctrl-alt-del to reboot.

Further info here:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000229.htm

And if you need a setup program for making a boot disk for that operating system, you can get one here.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Downright_pages/downrights_bootdisks.htm

 

Thanks Rollin' Rog. Thanks a million! This site is a real jewel! I am impressed. Thank you.

 

You're welcome, but let us know how you fare. Too often there are other problems and we have to get a bit lucky for this to work.