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I had windows 98 installed on my computer and i wanted to format my hard disk and re-intsall windows 98.
So i restarted the computer in ms-dos prompt and formatted the computer.
after formatting i put the windows 98 installation Cd and it gave me the follwing error
disk type not valid or something?
is it because of ntfs or fat32 or what is it?
is it because i did not give any volume label to it!?pls assist ..i badly need help here!
Didn't know you could FORMAT from the C:\ msdos prompt ... it's deleting itself.
Boot from the Win98 Startup floppy (might have to change BIOS to boot from floppy first). Allow CD-ROM support. Note the CD-ROM drive letter during boot. Switch to the CD-ROM drive with say E: (if CD-ROM is E) and key in setup
Best
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Did you boot your computer from the installation CD or a floppy? Just want to ask because your computer may not support booting from CD-ROM. That's why you would get the "invalid system disk" message. Do you have a Win98 startup floppy? If you do, stick that in there and give her a go. If you don't, you can go to www.bootdisk.com to get one. I'm going to go ahead and assume that you have a Win98 startup disk because you were able to format your hard disk. Just another guess, but it could be that you formatted your hard drive using a startup disk from an OS prior to Win98. OS's prior to Win98, actually Win95OSR2 don't support FAT32 partitions. That could be the problem. If that's the case, use your Win98 bootdisk and type "fdisk" at the DOS prompt. use that utility to examine your disk partitions. You can find out from there if your using FAT32 or FAT16. Good Luck!
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"So i restarted the computer in ms-dos prompt and formatted the computer."
"Didn't know you could FORMAT from the C:\ msdos prompt ... it's deleting itself."
When you execute a program it's loaded into memory to carry out the task. Thus the format went OK until it finished and then looked for command.com (loaded from where the system was booted from). ie; The format will work, it's just (the "system") will get "lost" after that. Once the drive is formatted, upon a reboot it will give the "invalid systen disk" error if the "SYS" command wasn't provided either by itself or with the format switch. (format/s c:)
Follow the above suggestions to boot and install.
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Yeah, I'm not sure what you're doing but an 'invalid system disk' message means the bios can't find system files on the drive you're booting from. Most likely that's your hard drive. Formatting removed those files.
As mentioned above, make sure whatever drive you want to boot from is first in the cmos boot sequence. Or, at least, that it comes before the hard drive in the boot sequence.
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well thanks for the reply guys! what i did was!
i started the computer at command prompt and there i typed
format c:
i didnot know that i need to copy system files!
anyways what can i do now?1. i wanted to change the boot order to CD-ROM but, i dont know how to enter BIOS. can somebody tell me how to enter BIOS and change settings on a computer with formatted hard disk and no operating system! i tried pressing del and tab at start-up but that doesnt help much!
2. If i put the start-up disk and then install using CD, will it work?
Please reply thanks a lot!
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It's really not necessary to put the DOS system files on a drive if you intend to install Windows from the CD.
" can somebody tell me how to enter BIOS and change settings on a computer with formatted hard disk and no operating system!"
In the usual way ; )
The CMOS/BIOS can be accessed even on a machine without a hard drive. If you don't see instructions on how to enter setup onscreen as the computer starts, post back on the BIOS manufacturer (Phoenix, Award, etc) displayed to determine the key sequence.
Those people that think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do
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"If i put the start-up disk and then install using CD, will it work?"
Yes it should. Use a 98 bootdisk (hopefully your boot sequence will have A: in it) and boot the machine choosing "with cdrom support". Watch for the drive letter assigned to the cd drive and switch to that. Once you're at that prompt (E:\> as an example, and with the 98 CD in the drive) type in SETUP and hit enter.
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jboy said
The CMOS/BIOS can be accessed even on a machine without a hard drive. If you don't see instructions on how to enter setup onscreen as the computer starts, post back on the BIOS manufacturer (Phoenix, Award, etc) displayed to determine the key sequence.Please tell me how shall i get hold of the manufacturer? via website or what?
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what??
Look at your computer screen at the startup and see who manufactured the BIOS - no need to contact anyone.
Different manufacturers use different key sequences to start the setup program. Knowing the name of the manufacturer is (usually) easier than listing every possible key combination - although it would be easier still if the instructions are actually on your computer screen.
Those people that think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do
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Yeah, the key to get into setup should be displayed on the screen. But DEL, F1 or F2 are the most common. If they don't work, as jboy says, post back info on your machine.
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Well the start-up screen doesnt give me much time to read things! but i am sure of couple of thngs here!
there is the datamini logo as soon as the computer boots, then there is not information on what key shall i use to enter bios! and the start-up screen is only around a few seconds before i can read anything about the bios manufacturer!
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Try hitting the 'pause' button
Those people that think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do
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There's always the 'angry man' method of entering cmos. Just start smashing all the keys as soon as you start the computer. (Caution, this may result in keyboard damage.)
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-heh- yes, you can force a keyboard or other error to get the computer's attention (so to speak) which should result in onscreen instructions.
Also:
On certain Compaqs, things may not be so simple.
Those people that think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do
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 Nothing on boot up-tried ...
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