I formated my hard drive, "format c:", and installed Windows 3.1. It went through 5 disks and it said "Windows installation complete, reboot system." And when I reboot, I get a "system disk error". I can't do anything, there's no c:\ or anything. Why did it use only 5 disks instead of all 7? I downloaded it from Kewlone.com. Please help!!!!!!!!!

Before installing windows 3.x, you need to install MS-DOS. Installing Windows 3.x will only use 5 disk's if you don't have a printer to install drivers for.

Before formatting your c:\ drive, did you run fdisk in order to partition your disk to be able to install your DOS program. You should also have installed your system files when you formated. Then you have to install a DOS program before running windows 3.1 ,because this is a Dos based program and not a stand alone like windows 95.
If you like I can email you a rescue disk that might get you out of this jam.It has disk edit and fdisk and several other programs that might be helpful to you. Just remember that before you install this on a floppy, you have to format the floppy with format a:/s in order to be able to use it at the a:\ prompt.

ford ltd says that:

"Windows 3.x will only use 5 disk's if you don't have a printer to install drivers for."

this may b the case 4 the 7 disk set, buti have a win3.1 6 disk set that installs all 6 disks everytime...my 3.1 system does not have a printer attached, & all 6 disks installed each & every time...(some1 once before posted that win3.1 only comes in a 7 disk set...but again i must say that i have a 6 disk set)...

Tom, running fdisk before a format would only b necessary if ur HDD was partitioned before hand...if it wasnt then...etc...

to install system files during a format use this command:

c:\format /s

to install system files from a floppy after format use this command:

a:\sys a: c:

--- NOTE: along with system files the floppy should contain the file sys.com ---

though i know that many will disagree...win3x can be installed without having DOS fully installed, as long as the system files r in the c: drive...be4 any1 argues with this remember that win95 will not run without having the DOS system files installed in ur c: drive either (unless u choose 2 boot from a floppy everytime, which is bumb)...

so 4 those of u who THINK that win95 is a stand alone Operating System??? i can assure u that it is NOT...

novice 1

Tom,

You need to format the hdd as per:

format c: /s

then install DOS
then install Win 3.x

actually Tom if u r going to install DOS then all u would have 2 do is:

format c:

no need 4 the /s being that DOS will install system files during installation...

novice 1

Thanks for all your help!!!!!!!!

I have the exact same problem, tell me this fellas, how do u get rid of the system disc error message in order to reinstall 3.1 and dos? I can't even get a command prompt up.

if u put DOS disk #1 in the floppy then boot up...u should not get any errors...DOS should install from there...

if it does not then use a DOS bootdisk...after boot up install DOS & Win3x...

novice 1