I am trying to do an WIN98SE install onto a reformatted HD. I listed the steps I used below: 1. Started computer using WIN98SE boot disk in DOS. 2. Used "fdisk" to erase the old partitions, then created a new partition (100% usage)FAT32 4GB, and set the new partiion active. 2. Restarted the computer with WIN98SE boot disk again in DOS (with CDROM support) and used "format C:" to format the newly partitioned drive. 3. Then installed WIN98SE from install disk CD-ROM (E:\setup) in DOS. 4. After install was complete (no errors during install) the computer is automaticly restarted to continue setup process. 5. **Here is my problem**--> It trys to startup using the C: drive but gives me the following message: Not a valid startup disk Replace and then press any key to continue So I looked it up in the "readme.txt" file that is included with the WIN98SE boot disk. It said that the proper system files might not be loaded onto C: so it gives the following solution which I did: 1. Restart using the WIN98SE boot disk 2. At the A:> promt type: sys c: This will copy the system files to the c: drive. (The copied files are: command.com, io.sys, and msdos.sys) 3. Restart and eject the WIN98SE boot disk So this was supposed to fix the problem but it didn't. It still says "invalid startup disk...." Does anyone know what I can do next? Any help would be great. Thanks

the error message is actually "not a valid system disk..." the message in my first post was written from memory.

Remove floppy.

What you should have done (which I guess you know now)was to make your step 2 to A:\>Format C: /s [ENTER] or make it into two steps as : A:\>Format C: [ENTER] and then after the volume label is done A:\>Sys C: [ENTER] Insert Win98SE CD in CD-ROM Drive A:\>E: [ENTER] E:\>SETUP [ENTER] Again [ENTER] to the next prompt. Wait for ScanDisk and "Fixing Errors if any..." and then Exit [ENTER] Follow on-screen instructions for completion. ************************************************** But, at this point, to make the best of a bad bargain, try to run Windows 98 Setup again either by making CD-ROM drive as First Boot Device in the BIOS sertup by entering it by the Right key on Reboot with ALT+CTRL+DELETE or use WIN98 Startup Disk> Start Computer with CD-ROM Support in the Windows 98 Startup menu and then A:\> to E:\> and then Setup . If it fails Reformat using the correct steps and Reinstall.

It sounds like you've done everything right. Run fdisk from the bootdisk, Y to large disk support, then option 4. Exactly what does it say? Even though you partitioned it as active, you can get that error from a disk that's not set active. So check it again. Also make sure any virus protection is turned off in cmos. And how is the drive identified in cmos?