OK.. let me start off about my computer. I was running windows XP Home SP2, when my LAN internet connection randomly stoppped working.. ..I thought formatting my computer would solve it, but Windows 98SE won't even install. (My XP Home is only an upgrade). When i start up it says "Invalid system Disk" so I tried it with No CD or Floppys in their drive.. - Still no luck. Sometimes I get to the 1. Install Windows 98 With CD-Rom Drive 2. Boot from C:/ With CD Rom Support 3. Boot From C:/ Without CD Rom Support _________ When i choose either of the last 2, it says "Invalid System Disk" and when I click the 1st one, It starts to install, then 10 minutes later, it says It cannot copy the files to Drive C: Help me pleaseeeeeeeee :(

Did you convert the drive to NTFS file system when you upgraded to XP? Win98 Can't work with that file system. Download a program called Delpart and use it to wipe the drive. Then you will be able to format the drive and install Win98SE. Find Delpart here. http://radified.com/Files/

Since your goal seems to be to eventually install XP, try booting from the XP disk and start the installation. At some point it should ask for verification of a previous OS and you can insert the 98 cd. So you won't need to install 98, you just need to show that you've got the disk. (At least that's the way it works for a 9X upgrade disk.) If you do want to install 98 you probably need to repartition and format the drive. Try the third boot option. When it gets to a dos prompt type FDISK and enter. Answer Y to large disk support. Choose option 4. Post back what it says as compaqs often have backup and diagnostic partitions.

OtheHill: Nope, it's FAT32. Dave: I'll try that now.

OK.. ..I've put in the XP Disc, and I've done all that stuff. It's now copying setup files to install XP. Thanks :) If I have any trouble, Ill post up again. -Mitch

"my LAN internet connection randomly stoppped working....I thought formatting my computer would solve it" Why is it that SO many people feel that formatting is the ONLY way to fix things?? Hopefully you have all the necessary drivers handy...motherboard chipset, video, sound, LAN, etc

>> Why is it that SO many people feel that formatting is the ONLY way to fix things?? << It's amazing. It is like putting a new engine in a car because the spark plugs are worn out. Stuart