I am trying to re-install windows 98se on my pc (after re-formatting the hard drive), and have unfortunately have 'lost' my cd-rom driver. However, I found a generic driver, and successfully installed it on the pc. However, after the install (and after selecting 'boot up with cd-rom support', I get the following error messages:

Config.sys errors - aspi????.sys (where the ???? are various endings of the aspi.sys files; ramdrive.sys not found;

Also, I also received the below errors as well:
Path not found :\command.com
Path not found :\extract.exe
Path not found :\readme.txt

I'm thinking that I might not have a 'good' config.sys and/or autoexec.bat files.. Am I correct? If so (or not), does anyone know where/how I can correct these problems so that I can re-install windows 98 using the cd-rom drive (all I have is a win98 install cd-rom)..

Any help is GREATLY appreciated!!

Bryan

Defiantly or problem with config.sys and or autoexex.bat.

Have you tried booting from the Windows CD. If it is a genuine retail disk it should boot.

Failing that download a Windows 98 boot disk from www.bootdisk.com.

Stuart

You need to use the bootable floppy disk supplied with 98SE CD. Boot to the floppy to commence the installation. (Make sure the CD is in the drive too).

i_XpUser

Unfortunately, I don't have an authentic 98 cd-rom install disk (nor do I have the floppy install disks as well).. Does www.bootdisk.com have any downloads for 'generic' config.sys files? If so, please let me know where..

Thanks!

You said you'd already done the install.

if so,

ren c:\config.sys config
ren c:\autoexec.bat autoexec

M2

If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

Mechanic - just curious - what will the ren command do to these files?

Thanks!

Bryan,

I will rename these files, thereby disabling them.

This should stifle the errors.

If the errors go away and you want to enable CD in DOS, we can work that problem next.

M2

If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

Hi M2,

I'm not home right now to do this (but will try the above ren commands this evening). Can you post how I would enable the cd in dos (so that I can install win 98 from the cd-rom that I have)?

Thanks again for your help!

Hi,

I thought you'd already installed win.

The usual boot disk maker from

www.bootdisk.com

will have CDROM drivers and the appropriate config.sys & autoexec.bat ready to go.

M2

If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

Thank M2!

I have tried this before (downloaded a boot disk from bootdisk.com), but I get an 'ntldr is missing' error message. Do you know what this is about?

Win9x knows nothing about NTLDR so it probably is a formar / failed NT installation.

Before you make your boot floppy, wipe it clean with format /u on a box known to be virus free.

Use this guide:

Fresh Start

M2

If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

I completely agree with mechanix about NTLDR. Once Windows 98SE is RTMed, the OS brain stopped thinking about the future. Anything developed after that is foreign to 98SE.

i_XpUser

I just sent you a bootdisk that will load the generic IDE driver.

The 'NTLDR missing' may be coming because you're using a floppy disk that was originally an NTFS OS system disk or because the HD had an NTFS OS on it.

If it's the HD then typing fdisk/mbr and enter at the dos prompt should clear it. Also it'd be a good idea to run fdisk, Y to large disk support, then option 4 and post back exactly what it says since you may still have an NTFS partition there.