operating system not found

When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words "operating
system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when I put
the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not functioning
correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your computer
vendor for assistance.
What can I do?
--
lecurry

First, log into your system setup (BIOS). There should be a note on the very first boot notes that
tells you to press "del" or "F1" or similar to enter system setup. (On Compaq it is F10 while the
square in the upper right is flashing).
In your system setup, does the computer see the Hard Drive?
Do you have an option to "auto detect" the hard drive.
Post back your results for further help.

"inquisitive1" wrote in message
...
: When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words "operating
: system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when I put
: the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
: Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
: Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not functioning
: correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your computer
: vendor for assistance.
: What can I do?
: --
: lecurry

inquisitive1 wrote:
When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words "operating
system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when I put
the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
************************************************** ****************************
Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not functioning
correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your computer
vendor for assistance.
************************************************** ****************************
What can I do?

Read slowly ten times what the computer tells you, all info (wisdom) is
there.

Little secret: Take the box to someone who has two left hands with
computers and let him check this wonder.

HTH

Stanislaw
Slack user from Ulladulla.

Is this a new or present HD?
Is the HD detected by the BIOS?
Have you partitioned/formatted the HD?
Can you boot to DOS with a 98 boot disk? If you don't have one you can get
one he http://www.bootdisk.com/ Please read Read1st in the right pane
for instructions on how to create the boot disk from the downloaded file.



--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"inquisitive1" wrote in message
...
When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words
"operating
system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when I
put
the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not
functioning
correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your
computer
vendor for assistance.
What can I do?
--
lecurry

Enter the BIOS setup and have it re-detect the hard drive. Post back with what you
find.

Also, check that the data ribbon cable is secure to the hard drive and the
motherboard. If the computer has been moved, the cable can sometimes work loose.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"inquisitive1" wrote in message
...
When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words "operating
system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when I put
the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not functioning
correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your computer
vendor for assistance.
What can I do?
--
lecurry

Now, the following message is displayed:
The following file is missing or corrupt: COMMAND.COM
Type the name of the Command Interpreter (e.g., C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)
C
What do I do now?
--
lecurry


"glee" wrote:

Enter the BIOS setup and have it re-detect the hard drive. Post back with what you
find.

Also, check that the data ribbon cable is secure to the hard drive and the
motherboard. If the computer has been moved, the cable can sometimes work loose.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"inquisitive1" wrote in message
...
When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words "operating
system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when I put
the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not functioning
correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your computer
vendor for assistance.
What can I do?
--
lecurry

"inquisitive1" wrote in message
...
Now, the following message is displayed:
The following file is missing or corrupt: COMMAND.COM
Type the name of the Command Interpreter (e.g., C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM)
C
What do I do now?
--
lecurry


"glee" wrote:

Enter the BIOS setup and have it re-detect the hard drive. Post back
with what you
find.

Also, check that the data ribbon cable is secure to the hard drive and
the
motherboard. If the computer has been moved, the cable can sometimes
work loose.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"inquisitive1" wrote in message
...
When I turn on the computer, a blank/black screen and the words
"operating
system not found" appear. I am unable to reload Windows 98 because when
I put
the startup disk and/or the cd, this message is displayed:
Setup cannot install Windows 98 on your computer.
Your computer does not have a hard disk, your hard disk is not
functioning
correctly, or your hard disk requires a special driver. Contact your
computer
vendor for assistance.
What can I do?
--
lecurry



boot to a floppy disk and at A:\ type "sys c:"

or

boot to floppy and run x:\win98\setup.exe from your win98 install CD ( x:
being your cdrom)