DISK BOOT FAILURE - Help !!!
 

My wifes machine runs Windows 98 and started up recently with DISK BOOT
FAILURE - INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER.
I tried inserting the system disk in the CD but the system would not read
the CD. It went straight to the A: drive after not detecting several items
on the opening screen.

I hit the delete key when I rebooted again and got the BIOS program. The
default was to read the CD first, then the C:disk, then the A: drive.

I change it and saved it to another option, then change change it back, just
to be sure it was OK. However, nothing changed.

I did some reading and downloaded a Boot Disk for windows 98 SE from
Bootdisk.com. When I booted off of the A: drive the machine booted up but I
was not able to see any drive but the A: drive. Doesanyone have any
sugestions??

Thanks in advance!

Sounds as if your hard drive has failed. Determine the brand name of the
hard drive and download a diagnostic program to test it. If the computer
came preassembled from a retailer then the diagnostics you need probably
came with the PC on a utility CD or somesuch.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* My website, such as it is ... http://rgharper.mvps.org/
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"bookmaker58" wrote in message
...
My wifes machine runs Windows 98 and started up recently with DISK BOOT
FAILURE - INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER.
I tried inserting the system disk in the CD but the system would not read
the CD. It went straight to the A: drive after not detecting several
items
on the opening screen.

I hit the delete key when I rebooted again and got the BIOS program. The
default was to read the CD first, then the C:disk, then the A: drive.

I change it and saved it to another option, then change change it back,
just
to be sure it was OK. However, nothing changed.

I did some reading and downloaded a Boot Disk for windows 98 SE from
Bootdisk.com. When I booted off of the A: drive the machine booted up but
I
was not able to see any drive but the A: drive. Doesanyone have any
sugestions??

Thanks in advance!

"bookmaker58" wrote in message
...
My wifes machine runs Windows 98 and started up recently with DISK BOOT
FAILURE - INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER.
I tried inserting the system disk in the CD but the system would not read
the CD. It went straight to the A: drive after not detecting several
items
on the opening screen.

That may indicate that the backup CMOS battery has died,
in which case the system has no idea that the hard drive exists.

Replace it, if only to eliminate that as a possibility.

You should also run the BIOS Setup program
and make sure that your hard drive(s)
and CDROM drive(s) are properly (re)detected.

Save the settings before you exit the BIOS Setup program.