It's just normal booting. I was not trying to install or re-install Windows... I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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"I have gotten past that error, but now I am in this mess..." 'How' did you get past the invalid system disk message? I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter

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Well it certainly looks as if you did something weird with a startup disk (boot floppy) that produced the current symptoms - ie MS were right and you've got at least two of the floppy files onto the C root. As for the run up to it then first off what was this large folder you deleted? Get the files renamed and it will at least get rid of the latest symptom I reckon. Signing off now (3.50am in UK) Nite DerekW

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Those errors are from a bad boot floppy, or autoexec.bat was copied from the floppy to the hdd.

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... as stated in the 'useless' M$KB page I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter

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"I renamed the two files back to what they were. It sounds like too simple of a solution anyway, doesn't it? " No, not at all - you've obviously copied over startup files from the floppy, and those aren't meant to be used on your hard drive Delete or rename those two files as advised, reboot, and tell us whatever new error messages turn up, in order to deal with this properly I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter

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did you re-partition the hard drive and reformat then install win 98 you might try that

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did you re-partition the hard drive and reformat then install win 98 you might try that you might also check your bios or try booting in safe mode

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or actually do a dirty install with out re formating and partitioning

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surrealkiller I would be surprised if the poster doesn't realise that re-installing Windows on top again or doing a clean install are possible options if necessary (as is buying a new machine). At this early stage we are trying to work out what has happened to the machine and to see if it is possible to get it working without that. We don't even know if the poster has a W98 CD or software and other backups. DerekW

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I have not considered re-installing Windows. I do not have a CD to do that. I also have not considered re-partitioning or re-formatting my hdd. I have files on my hdd that I don't want to lose. I am hoping to fix this issue some other way. Derek,. Last night, I performed: ren autoexec.bat autoexec.xxx ren config.sys config.xxx This caused the errors to not appear again: Bad command of file name Path not found - :\COMMAND.COM Path not found - extract.exe Path not found - readme.txt Please insert Windows 98 Startup Disk 2 Press any key to continue But now my computer just boots to the Windows 98 startup menu. Whichever option that I select, the computer goes directly to the c:\ command prompt. At the prompt, when I type windows\win.com, I get an error: Himem.sys is missing. Make sure that this file is in your Windows directory. When I type at the next prompt: Dir c:\windows\himem.sys I get : Volume in drive C is SYSTEM Volume Serial Number is 1519-11DE Directory of c:\Windows HIMEM.SYS 33,191 04-23-99 10:22P 1 file(s) 33,191bytes 0 dir(s) 134.06 mb free To answer earlier questions: 1. The folder which was deleted contained some mp3 files. 2. I believe that I conquered the first error that I encountered by performing a sys:c from a boot floppy, which would account for my copying sys files onto my hdd. I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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It's good to get the error messages but sometimes when Windows gets in a stew it trots out the nearest one it can find (which can be misleading). It's my hunch that various files got replaced with that boot disk trick so we might still be trying to get back to your original fault - bad news obviously. There are various possibilities but the top of the list is a file called msdos.sys because the copy on the floppy is nothing like the correct one. Give me 15m or so and I'll send you one with full instructions on how to install it. DerekW

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Thank you Derek. I also believe that msdos.sys is suspect. You'll be emailing that to me? Please also keep in mind that this computer is at my home, and I am at work, so any fixes will be tried, and details will be relayed the next day. I immensely appreciate all of your help. I have visited this forum in the past for Windows issues. I have been able to relate other people's issues and the solutions proposed in the forum to my own issues, and have solved those issues. This time I decided to post in the forum because I am unable to fix the errors. ~Don I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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I've just realised. I'm on W98SE so my file might not do if you are still on W98 first edition. There should be a backup so try these DOS commands and we should find out where we stand: attrib -r -h -s c:\msdos.sys dir c:\msdos.sys Hit Return after each command and let me know what it says, in particular the file size and date. Next repeat the process for the backup file like this: attrib -r -h -s c:\msdos.bak dir c:\mosdos.bak Let me know what it says about this one too. Make sure it is clear which file you are talking about in each case. Make sure you have single spaces in the commands where shown. Are you on W98 first edition? DerekW

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... just seen your #19. Unless you are on W98SE it's probably best to see if we can use your backup if present. The W98SE one might be OK for W98 but it's best not take that chance unless we have to (although I seem to recall carving one up and using it elsewhere way back). DerekW

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I thought that I was using Windows 98 SE, but my splash screen just says Windows 98, so I guess I'm not using SE. I'll use the msdos commands tonight and report back tomorrow. ~Don I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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Unfortunately the splash screen never owns up to whether it is first or second edition. There are various ways to find out but this will do: c:\windows\command\scandisk.exe (hit Return). If the date is April 23 1999 then you have W98SE. DerekW

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I'll try that one tonight as well! I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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If you can tolerate this barrage of responses and keep track of them, here's another. Check that these statements are true: 1. The backup file is present and is 1726 bytes (or pretty close). 2. Msdos.sys is noticeably smaller (probably only about 9 bytes). IF and ONLY IF the above is the case then, having done the foregoing including the attrib's, then type this from a DOS prompt: del c:\msdos.sys copy c:\msdos.bak c:\msdos.sys attrib +r +h +s c:\msdos.sys Usual Return after each command. If none of this bites back at you then you will now have a good msdos.sys file, so take out the floppy, boot up and if it doesn't get you to Windows then report whatever error messages you see. Just in case you find that you are on W98SE but you have no msdos.bak I will still send my msdos.sys file as planned. DerekW

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... err, I mean I'll send file as well. DerekW

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MSDOS.SYS You just replace the angle bracketed <> fields with your own info (usually C:\Windows) WinDir=<Windows> - becomes - WinDir=C:\Windows ... unless yours is different It appears that for whatever reason, you've copied over autoexec.bat, config.sys & msdos.sys from a floppy to your hard drive - this is causing problems while autoexec.bat & config.sys can be dispensed with (they are for DOS, not Windows) msdos.sys on the hard drive contains Windows configuration info, and must be correct in order to load Windows normally I'm not one of those who think Bill Gates is the devil. I simply suspect that if Microsoft ever met up with the devil, it wouldn't need an interpreter

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Many ways. Obviously the "version" line is not important so it matters little whether it is there or not. As I've already produced the email I'll send it anyway, so you have many possible ways forward. The DOS commands will be useful anyway unless you are familiar with this stuff. DerekW

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Ok Derek. Tonight I will follow your instructions in #20, #23, #25, and #28. I will overlook jboy in #27 for now. As a matter of fact, I have typed this info into my msdos.sys file, and have had no luck. But of course, that was before I got the PATHS errors to cease and desist. But that info is still in that file, and I am still unable to boot to Windows... Thanks! ~Don I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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Just got the email containing the msdos.sys file for Windows 98 SE, Derek. Thanks and I'll check back in here tomorrow night! ~Don I got me an ant farm once. Those fellas didn't grow s---!

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Derek, I don't know if you are still in the forum, but I was re-reading #17, and noticed that the HIMEM.SYS info was dated 4.23.99: "HIMEM.SYS 33,191 04-23-99 10:22P" which is the date I am to verify per #23 to see if I am using Windows 98 or SE. If I am indeed using Windows 98 (not SE) on my system, and this HIMEM.SYS came from a boot disk that was prepared for Windows 98 SE, would it cause this problem on my system? ~Don I got me an ant farm. Them fellas didn't grow s---!

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It most certainly would and it's how I've been thinking all along. As inferred in my #25 it is a tiny file compared to the right one. Anyhow you can go ahead and use the file I sent because you are indeed on W98SE. Don't forget to knock out the attribs of your current msdos.sys first as indicated earlier, otherwise you won't be able to put in the new one. You've no need to touch msdos.bak if you use my file obviously. Whether that will fix it or whether it just gets you back to the original problem remains to be seen..... Definitely time I went. Back tomorrow DerekW

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L.O.L Derek when you say "hit return" do you mean "hit enter?" I believe return is the enter key on macs. Linksys Router WRT54G PC-1 Gateway P4 1.8 256 MB Ram. 40 GB Harddrive Win XP Pro PC-2 Dell Dimension V533c 533 Mhz 288 Mb Ram 20 Gig Harddrive 40 Gig Slave Windows 2000

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As Max Cohen would say, " 10:18, press return" Rent the movie "PI" http://www.pithemovie.com/gifpage.html

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CHKDSK Either the Return or Enter key can be used to action a DOS command on a PC. The Return key bigger and a more widely used key, hence that is what I usually say. We could go further. Perhaps "press" the key is more correct because we don't want any broken keyboards do we? DerekW

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My keyboard has no return key. What do i put here if i don't put a question?

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Maybe you hit it too hard. Use the enter key instead! DerekW

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haha! Glad to see that my post has become a stand-up comedy forum! Or would this be a sit-down comedy forum? :) Hello Derek, As suggested in #20, I removed the attributes of msdos.sys and checked the file size to find that my msdos.sys file is 6 bytes. However, my computer does not have a file named msdos.bak. I performed a search for *.bak files, and this returned no results. As discussed in #23, I followed your instructions to find out if I am using Windows 98 or SE. This produced the result: “No extended memory driver loaded … make sure that you have a HIMEM.SYS file…”. This method didn’t show me the answer definitively. Following your instructions in #25, the answers are as follow: 1. NO - msdos.bak – file not found 2. Two files found: a. NO - c:\windows\msdos.sys – 1,862 bytes b. YES – c:\msdos.sys – 6 bytes I did not utilize the file sent via email since it seemed that at this point it might not work as expected given the above findings. I did perform a search of my system files: C:\> dir c:\windows \*.sys And found that no system files seem to be older than 4.23.99, EXCEPT: NDISHLP.SYS 6,140 BYTES 8.24.96 I’ll check back later today for your (comedic) responses. ~Don I got me an ant farm. Them fellas didn't grow s---!

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Well, it's a bit muddly but it seems pretty clear you have W98SE. Some programs do put the odd older file in, so at this stage I wouldn't concern myself about ndshlp.sys There should only be one msdos.sys and this should be in the C root (not c:\windows). It is normally around 1762 bytes and the very small one is almost certainly off the floppy you used before you posted this question. For now I think we need the right msdos.sys so put the one I sent onto a floppy. If you haven't already done it then type this: attrib -r -s -h c:\msdos.sys Put the floppy in the drive and now type these two commands: copy a:\msdos.sys c: attrib +r +s +h c:\msdos.sys Take out the floppy, try booting and let us know what happens. If it doesn't boot come back with the error messages. After each command gently press the Enter key (which should keep CHKDSK happy LOL). Alternatively give the Return key a good old smash with a hammer - err...I am joking. DerekW

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... I've just seen the reason you got that weird message after trying my command in #23. My fault, it should have had dir in front of it (so it tried to run DOS scandisk with whatever fault may happen to be on the system - such as msdos.sys being wrong). No matter - we have the answer now so it's just for academic interest.... Carry on with my #39 because your msdos.sys is definitely incorrect and we need to get that right before we can go any further. It might even fix it. DerekW

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Will do Derek. I'll check back in tomorrow. Don't tempt me to use a hammer on my computer! At this point, I just might (j/k). I got me an ant farm. Them fellas didn't grow s---!

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Derek, Unfortunately, in the hustle and bustle of the workplace, I neglected to take home a copy of the msdos file sent to me via email. I'll get that copied today, and try this weekend. Thanks again for all of your help! Have a great weekend and I'll post back here again on Monday. ~Don I got me an ant farm. Them fellas didn't grow s---!

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Derek, I owe you a world of thanks and gratitude! I replaced msdos.sys with the new copy and windows booted up! Do I not need autoexec.bat and config.sys files? I renamed them as .xxx files, and so my computer doesn't see them anymore. Thanks again for all of your help! As I stated before, I've used this forum vicariously in the past to solve issues that I was having based on what others were posting, and was able to successfully solve my computer issues. This time I posted my issues, and you solved them for me! This forum rules! ~Don I got me an ant farm. Them fellas didn't grow s---!

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Great... Those two files are only for running stuff in DOS not for Windows. However (unless you run DOS games) there are two other DOS issues that sometimes come into the equation: 1. If you are using a non-USA keyboard (eg folk like me who live in the UK). A line included in them ensures that you get the correct keyboard characters in DOS for your country. 2. Some Anti-Virus programs do a scan in DOS on boot up. AVG is one of them and Norton does (or did). I expect we can tell you what to put in if your AV needs one in autoexec.bat - I have the info for AVG7.5 If you look at autoexec.bat in NotePad then paste it on here it should show any line you might need unless it was (as suspected) replaced by the one from the floppy. You don't need the xxx copies but pop back with the info before you banish them for good. One more quite different thing. I just wonder if you put "all" of the floppy files somewhere. Do a search for Aspi2dos.sys which should only appear in: c:\windows\command\ebd [Ebd being "emergency boot disk] If you find an extra copy elswhere give me it's full path and I can tell you what files you can delete and give you a safe procedure for doing so (which allows them to be put back in the most unlikely event that it is necessary). DerekW

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Derek, I do not have a non-USA keyboard, and I do not run DOS games, so no worries there. I will come back and post the lines from autoexec.bat (renamed autoexec.xxx), and will also search for the location of Aspi2dos.sys. I also had an error that my computer couldn't find my DVDROM drive, so I updated these files, and the error went away. Tomorrow is a pretty busy day for me, so it will probably be later in the week that I can accomplish these things. ~Don I got me an ant farm. Them fellas didn't grow s---!

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No rush but we might as well tidy up the loose ends. Meant to ask who's virus checker you are using, if any? DerekW

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