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Invalid System Disk



 
 
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  #1  
Old December 31st 04, 01:36 AM
Robert
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Invalid System Disk

In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running
again?

Any help would be appreciated,
Robert


  #2  
Old December 31st 04, 02:55 AM
Gabriele Hauschild
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hello Robert,

That error_ message is usually generated once a file
like "command.com" is missing and you followed the right
procedure.

Does it not go into "Safe mode" after it says it is
bypassing the startup files? If it can go into Safe mode,
let do so and then just shut down, switch off and remove
the power cord for a few moments.

Then replug and switch on. If you still can't run windows
in normal mode, m_aybe someone else will have further
suggestions, but I would be willing_ to send you a zip
file with the files that I have in my parent (C folder
if you wish, strictly upon the basis it is used entirely
at your own risk. I run current anti-virus and firewall
but you should still do your own virus check if you
receive files from someone else. If you would like me to
do that, post back with an e-mail address. You can anti-
spam your e-mail address by putting words: "delete" in
it, which I would ignore, thus:
e.g. ".

Best of luck.

-----Original Message-----
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se

machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete

things "they" thought were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted

but I now have the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid

System Disk." I tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the

help file that if I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this

and it reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the

computer off (with the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to

restart the computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode

this: "Windows is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk

(off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to

get this unit running
again?

Any help would be appreciated,
Robert


.

  #3  
Old December 31st 04, 04:24 AM
Jeff Richards
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You say that booting to hard disk gets you to a C:\ prompt, but then you
say that you booted to safe mode, or at least tried. I think there's a step
in the middle you haven't mentioned, but the message indicates a simple
problem with MSDOS.SYS. See here for an explanation of what might have
happened and how to fix it.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=149110
Cannot Start Windows 95 After Using the SYS Command

See here for more information on what the file should look like::
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=118579
Contents of the Windows Msdos.sys File
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Robert" wrote in message
...
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought
were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have
the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the
computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows
is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit
running
again?



  #4  
Old December 31st 04, 08:51 AM
Hugh Candlin
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Robert" wrote in message
...
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought

were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have

the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I

tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if

I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with

the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the

computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows

is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit

running
again?


Perhaps, but it probably will not be easy IF it is even possible.

How old are these kids? Are they old enough to be aware of the
Recycle Bin? If so, did they empty it? If not, boot to DOS again
and run a DIR of C:\RECYCLED.

But first, type ATTRIB -H C:\RECYCLED to remove the Hidden
attribute from the Bin, otherwise it will show up empty
even if there are a ton of files in it.

Your next problem will be to find out what they are,
as they will not show up with their proper names,
but we can cross that bridge when and if we get there.

[I would also ground the lil darlins for a week,
no TV, no Playstation 2, no computer privileges.
It won't hurt them. They'll just scream like it does.].


  #5  
Old December 31st 04, 02:42 PM
Lil' Dave
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You should ensure that you're using a 98SE startup diskette as the first
step. This has the correct form of the command.com file for your operating
system. The plain jane Win 98 command.com file is NOT the same. Go to
another PC with internet access and go to bootdisk.com website. Find the
98SE startup disk download. Download it, run the file. Run the resulting
file with a formatted floppy in the diskette drive. Afterwards, you should
have 98SE startup diskette.

The default msdos.sys for the floppy boot diskette is empty of data. Using
"sys c:" command simply copies this to the boot sector of the c: partition.
Yours or anyone else's PC cannot boot Win 98SE using this form of msdos.sys
file. You will only receive an msdos command prompt as you pointed out.

Here is an example of the msdos.sys file for booting to windows:
[Paths]
WinDir=C:\WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS
HostWinBootDrv=C

[Options]
BootMulti=1
BootGUI=1
DoubleBuffer=1
AutoScan=1
WinVer=4.10.2222
;
;The following lines are required for compatibility with other programs.
;Do not remove them (MSDOS.SYS needs to be 1024 bytes).
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxb
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxd
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxe
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxf
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxg
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxj
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxk
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxm
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxn
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxo
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxp
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxq
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxr
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs


If you do not have a SCSI adapter, do not use the DoubleBuffer line. You
can use the "edit" command at a dos prompt to modify the msdos.sys file.
You have to remove the attributes first from this file using the "attrib"
command. Then, after completing the edit, place attributes back on the
file. The file should contain RHS attributes (read-only, hidden, system).
At the command prompt, enter attrib /? to learn how to use the switches.
You must designate a file location with either "edit" or "attrib". Example:
"attrib -r -h -s c:\msdos.sys". The "c:\" tells attrib to modify the
msdos.sys file on the c: partition, rather than on the floppy (a:\).
Attrib.exe and edit.com are not on the startup diskette, you can however run
these if you are within the c:\windows\command subdirectory at the dos
prompt.
Sys.com is not on the startup diskette either, simply copy this from the
c:\windows\command subdirectory to the startup diskette. Then run the "sys
c:" from the startup diskette after booting from it.
You may be able to copy attrib to the startup floppy, but due to capacity
restraints of the floppy, and the size of the edit.com file, you will not be
able to copy it to the startup diskette as is.
All this is a bit complicated for the novice, but is doable if you pay
attention to detail and responses after entering a dos command.
"Robert" wrote in message
...
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought

were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have

the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the

computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows

is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit

running
again?

Any help would be appreciated,
Robert




  #6  
Old December 31st 04, 10:45 PM
Robert
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

To clarify:
After I received the "System Transferred" message I shut the computer off,
removed the boot disk, and attempted to boot the computer on it's own. The
1st time I attempted to boot to regular (I know that's the wrong term)
Windows and received the "C:\" prompt. The 2nd time I tried to boot into
"Safemode" (holding the ctrl key down) I received "Windows is bypassing
your startup files". I'm not sure what "missing step" you are referring to?

In the mean time I'll be looking at the links you provided.

Thanks for your time,
Robert

PS Reading these boards on Outlook Express is the only way to fly!


"Jeff Richards" wrote in message
...
You say that booting to hard disk gets you to a C:\ prompt, but then you
say that you booted to safe mode, or at least tried. I think there's a

step
in the middle you haven't mentioned, but the message indicates a simple
problem with MSDOS.SYS. See here for an explanation of what might have
happened and how to fix it.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=149110
Cannot Start Windows 95 After Using the SYS Command

See here for more information on what the file should look like::
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=118579
Contents of the Windows Msdos.sys File
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Robert" wrote in message
...
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought
were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have
the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I

tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if

I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it

reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with

the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the
computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows
is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit
running
again?





  #7  
Old December 31st 04, 10:56 PM
Robert
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Unfortunately the know about the Recycle Bin, and they are very thorough,
they emptied it. Should I still go ahead and "type ATTRIB -H C:\RECYCLED
to remove the Hidden attribute from the Bin"? and if so should I be doing
this after booting with the "boot disk" or without?

ground the lil darlins .........there will be no grounding, I'm sending them
back to SCHOOL!

Thanks for your help,
Robert

"Hugh Candlin" wrote in message
...

"Robert" wrote in message
...
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought

were
not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have

the
following:

The System:
Pentium w/MMX
233 mhz
92 ram
win98se

When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I

tried
to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if

I
saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it

reported
back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with

the
power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the

computer
only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows

is
bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot
disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit

running
again?


Perhaps, but it probably will not be easy IF it is even possible.

How old are these kids? Are they old enough to be aware of the
Recycle Bin? If so, did they empty it? If not, boot to DOS again
and run a DIR of C:\RECYCLED.

But first, type ATTRIB -H C:\RECYCLED to remove the Hidden
attribute from the Bin, otherwise it will show up empty
even if there are a ton of files in it.

Your next problem will be to find out what they are,
as they will not show up with their proper names,
but we can cross that bridge when and if we get there.

[I would also ground the lil darlins for a week,
no TV, no Playstation 2, no computer privileges.
It won't hurt them. They'll just scream like it does.].




  #8  
Old January 1st 05, 12:56 AM
Jeff Richards
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The missing step is that you used the Ctrl key to get the startup menu and
then selected an option from the startup menu. This indicates that the first
part of the boot process is working OK. The alternative would be to try and
start Windows from the C:\ prompt, which would not have revealed anything
about the state of MSDOS.SYS.

In fact, that you could get the startup menu using the Ctrl key suggests
that MSDOS.SYS is not the problem, but it's worth checking nonetheless.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Robert" wrote in message
...
To clarify:
After I received the "System Transferred" message I shut the computer off,
removed the boot disk, and attempted to boot the computer on it's own. The
1st time I attempted to boot to regular (I know that's the wrong term)
Windows and received the "C:\" prompt. The 2nd time I tried to boot into
"Safemode" (holding the ctrl key down) I received "Windows is bypassing
your startup files". I'm not sure what "missing step" you are referring
to?

In the mean time I'll be looking at the links you provided.

Thanks for your time,
Robert



  #9  
Old January 1st 05, 01:08 AM
PCR
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Very well writ, Lil' Dave. BUT, from the Readme on a Startup Diskette...

EBD.CAB file
=================================
The Ebd.cab file is a compressed file whose contents are extracted to
the
Ramdrive during the startup process. The table below identifies the
files
in the Ebd.cab file.

File Function
Attrib.exe Add or remove file attributes
Chkdsk.exe A simpler and smaller disk status tool
Debug.exe Debugging utility
Edit.com Real-mode emergency text editor
Ext.exe New, simple file extract utility
Format.com Disk format tool
Mscdex.exe Microsoft CD-ROM file extension for MS-DOS
Scandisk.exe Disk status tool
Scandisk.ini Disk status tool configuration file
Sys.com Transfers system files and make disk bootable

And...

List of all components on the EBD
====================================
The following table describes the function of each file copied to the
EBD.

File Function
Aspi2dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi4dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi8dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi8u2.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspicd.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Autoexec.bat Startup batch file
Btcdrom.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Btdosm.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Command.com Command interpreter
Config.sys Loads the device drivers
Drvspace.bin Microsoft DriveSpace compression driver
Ebd.cab Cab file containing extract utilities
Ebd.sys File identifying the ESD
Extract.exe File to expand the Ebd.cab file
Fdisk.exe Disk partition tool
Findramd.exe Utility to find the RAMDrive during startup
Flashpt.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Himem.sys XMS Memory Manager
Io.sys System boot file
Msdos.sys Boot option information (paths, multiboot, and so on)
Oakcdrom.sys Generic device driver for ATAPI CD-ROM drives
Ramdrive.sys Creates a Ramdrive during startup
Setramd.bat Searches for first available drive to be a Ramdrive


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Lil' Dave" wrote in message
...
| You should ensure that you're using a 98SE startup diskette as the
first
| step. This has the correct form of the command.com file for your
operating
| system. The plain jane Win 98 command.com file is NOT the same. Go
to
| another PC with internet access and go to bootdisk.com website. Find
the
| 98SE startup disk download. Download it, run the file. Run the
resulting
| file with a formatted floppy in the diskette drive. Afterwards, you
should
| have 98SE startup diskette.
|
| The default msdos.sys for the floppy boot diskette is empty of data.
Using
| "sys c:" command simply copies this to the boot sector of the c:
partition.
| Yours or anyone else's PC cannot boot Win 98SE using this form of
msdos.sys
| file. You will only receive an msdos command prompt as you pointed
out.
|
| Here is an example of the msdos.sys file for booting to windows:
| [Paths]
| WinDir=C:\WINDOWS
| WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS
| HostWinBootDrv=C
|
| [Options]
| BootMulti=1
| BootGUI=1
| DoubleBuffer=1
| AutoScan=1
| WinVer=4.10.2222
| ;
| ;The following lines are required for compatibility with other
programs.
| ;Do not remove them (MSDOS.SYS needs to be 1024 bytes).
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxb
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxd
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxe
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxf
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxg
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxj
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxk
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxm
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxn
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxo
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxp
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxq
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxr
|
;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs
|
|
| If you do not have a SCSI adapter, do not use the DoubleBuffer line.
You
| can use the "edit" command at a dos prompt to modify the msdos.sys
file.
| You have to remove the attributes first from this file using the
"attrib"
| command. Then, after completing the edit, place attributes back on
the
| file. The file should contain RHS attributes (read-only, hidden,
system).
| At the command prompt, enter attrib /? to learn how to use the
switches.
| You must designate a file location with either "edit" or "attrib".
Example:
| "attrib -r -h -s c:\msdos.sys". The "c:\" tells attrib to modify the
| msdos.sys file on the c: partition, rather than on the floppy (a:\).
| Attrib.exe and edit.com are not on the startup diskette, you can
however run
| these if you are within the c:\windows\command subdirectory at the dos
| prompt.
| Sys.com is not on the startup diskette either, simply copy this from
the
| c:\windows\command subdirectory to the startup diskette. Then run the
"sys
| c:" from the startup diskette after booting from it.
| You may be able to copy attrib to the startup floppy, but due to
capacity
| restraints of the floppy, and the size of the edit.com file, you will
not be
| able to copy it to the startup diskette as is.
| All this is a bit complicated for the novice, but is doable if you pay
| attention to detail and responses after entering a dos command.
| "Robert" wrote in message
| ...
| In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my
children
| (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they"
thought
| were
| not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now
have
| the
| following:
|
| The System:
| Pentium w/MMX
| 233 mhz
| 92 ram
| win98se
|
| When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I
tried
| to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file
that if I
| saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it
reported
| back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off
(with the
| power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the
| computer
| only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this:
"Windows
| is
| bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the
boot
| disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit
| running
| again?
|
| Any help would be appreciated,
| Robert
|
|
|
|


  #10  
Old January 1st 05, 03:33 AM
Robert
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

How can I, if possible, start windows from "c:\" ?


"Jeff Richards" wrote in message
...
The missing step is that you used the Ctrl key to get the startup menu and
then selected an option from the startup menu. This indicates that the

first
part of the boot process is working OK. The alternative would be to try

and
start Windows from the C:\ prompt, which would not have revealed anything
about the state of MSDOS.SYS.

In fact, that you could get the startup menu using the Ctrl key suggests
that MSDOS.SYS is not the problem, but it's worth checking nonetheless.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Robert" wrote in message
...
To clarify:
After I received the "System Transferred" message I shut the computer

off,
removed the boot disk, and attempted to boot the computer on it's own.

The
1st time I attempted to boot to regular (I know that's the wrong term)
Windows and received the "C:\" prompt. The 2nd time I tried to boot

into
"Safemode" (holding the ctrl key down) I received "Windows is bypassing
your startup files". I'm not sure what "missing step" you are referring
to?

In the mean time I'll be looking at the links you provided.

Thanks for your time,
Robert





 




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