Unable to Boot due to "Invalid System Disk"

I'm running Windows 98 and am no longer able to even boot
up. When I attempt to start my PC I get the following
error message:
"Invalid System Disk...Replace Disk and Press any Key."
I assume that they are referring to the System files on my
hard drive.
I don't have a Boot Disk but I do have access to another
PC. What can I do?

Download a utility to create a boot floppy from www.bootdisk.com. Use it to
start the machine to a DOS prompt. From there, you can investigate the
trouble. For instance, simple DOS commands such as DIR C: will indicate if
the disk is working and the file system is intact, or you can get a disk
diagnostic from the www site of the disk drive manufacturer to run from DOS,
or you can use data recovery tools if the disk turns out to be damaged.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Keith" wrote in message
...
I'm running Windows 98 and am no longer able to even boot
up. When I attempt to start my PC I get the following
error message:
"Invalid System Disk...Replace Disk and Press any Key."
I assume that they are referring to the System files on my
hard drive.
I don't have a Boot Disk but I do have access to another
PC. What can I do?

The error means you have lost or corrupted one of the critical boot files.
You will need a boot floppy disk. If you did not make one, you will need
to go to www.bootdisk.com and download the file that makes a W98 boot disk

Put the boot floppy in the drive and start the computer.
monitor the messages as it may make a RAM drive to put the utility files in.
Note the letter of this drive.
Then type in the following command:
dir
press the enter key and look a file called "sys.com"
If you don't see it type in the following:
dir X: (where X is the letter assigned to your RAM drive)
look there for the file called "sys.com"

If you found the file with the first "dir" then type:
sys c:
press the enter key.

If you find the file with the second "dir X: then type:
x:\sys c:

You should get a message "system files transferred"
If you did, pull the boot floppy out and restart the computer. It should
work now.

Good luck
"Keith" wrote in message
...
I'm running Windows 98 and am no longer able to even boot
up. When I attempt to start my PC I get the following
error message:
"Invalid System Disk...Replace Disk and Press any Key."
I assume that they are referring to the System files on my
hard drive.
I don't have a Boot Disk but I do have access to another
PC. What can I do?

Use the correct version startup diskette, there's win98 and win98SE. Two
different animals.
"Richard Goh" wrote in message
...
The error means you have lost or corrupted one of the critical boot files.
You will need a boot floppy disk. If you did not make one, you will need
to go to www.bootdisk.com and download the file that makes a W98 boot disk

Put the boot floppy in the drive and start the computer.
monitor the messages as it may make a RAM drive to put the utility files
in.
Note the letter of this drive.
Then type in the following command:
dir
press the enter key and look a file called "sys.com"
If you don't see it type in the following:
dir X: (where X is the letter assigned to your RAM drive)
look there for the file called "sys.com"

If you found the file with the first "dir" then type:
sys c:
press the enter key.

If you find the file with the second "dir X: then type:
x:\sys c:

You should get a message "system files transferred"
If you did, pull the boot floppy out and restart the computer. It should
work now.

Good luck
"Keith" wrote in message
...
I'm running Windows 98 and am no longer able to even boot
up. When I attempt to start my PC I get the following
error message:
"Invalid System Disk...Replace Disk and Press any Key."
I assume that they are referring to the System files on my
hard drive.
I don't have a Boot Disk but I do have access to another
PC. What can I do?

Before you do what Rick,Dave or Jeff says. Which IS great
advice. Check first for any floppies or CDs left in their
drives. Go into MB bios and make sure the boot sequence is
set to 1: floppy/A:drive. 2: C:drive or Hard Drive/Disk.
-----Original Message-----
I'm running Windows 98 and am no longer able to even boot
up. When I attempt to start my PC I get the following
error message:
"Invalid System Disk...Replace Disk and Press any Key."
I assume that they are referring to the System files on
my
hard drive.
I don't have a Boot Disk but I do have access to another
PC. What can I do?
.