Hi, First off, any help will be ultimately appreciated. I installed a Windows 98 Compaq edition on this new computer I built. It was the only Windows 98 I had available at the time. My computers stats are: P4 1.7ghz CPU P4VXAD ECS Mainboard 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive Plextor 24/10/40 CDRW Geforce2/56kmodem/soundblaster live Everything pretty much works fine... until I tried to install the Compaq Windows 98. Half way through installation, there was an error, and I had to quit installation. So Windows 98 was not properly installed and was missing some crucial files. When I boot up now, it says: "Windows has detected a registry/configuration error. Choose command prompt only and run SCANREG There is an unrecognized command on your config.sys There is an error in your config.sys on line 1 following file missing or corrupted: command.com" When I put in another Win 98 disc (not compaq edition) it doesn't go to the installation screen. And the boot disk I made is not loading too. I would like to delete WIN 98 if possible from my system and start over. I can't get into WIN 98 safe mode either. I would just like to delete the windows 98 from my system, not restore it. Please HELP!!!! Thanks, telekinetic67

Use a boot disk and at the prompt type format c: /s This will erase the c: drive clean.

are you booting from a cd or the floppy? you should try making a new boot disk. do you have the resources to do that? if not let me know and i can send you the files. and is it win98 second edition? or first? -doc

Boot with a floppy. At the prompt type (4 commands, ENTER after each one); deltree/y c:\windows deltree/y c:\progra~1 attrib -s -h -r c:\*.* del bootlog.* This will get rid of windows, and past logs concerning windows. This will leave you with a bootable C: drive.

This is Windows 98, not WIN 98 2nd edition... And I made a boot disk from a website but when I put it in, it doesn't load to it... it just goes straight through to the windows errors... What exactly do I need to do to boot with a floppy, Dan? Because when I put in the boot disk I made, it doesn't boot to the floppy. Also, the screen it boots to, I don't believe it is dos prompt. So typing all these commands that work with dos I believe don't work... I will try all your suggestions and respond tonight. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!!!

Go to the bios setup and change the first bootup item to disk a: and your restart your computer with the boot disk in a:

Okay, I see where that is, I got a bootup disk and everything... but now when it trys to read the bootup disk it says "DISK I/O error, replace and press any key" Keep in mind this is a brand new system with a brand new 80gb hard drive. Also for some reason my computer keeps on freezing on me, everytime I push the power button, it might load for sometime than stop and freeze and lock. Sometime I might get as far as to CMOS setup or BIOS setup but it will freeze and lock somewhere along the way. This is a brand new P4 1.7ghz processor in a brand new P4 Motherboard, with all brand new components. Please help!!! Thanks!