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#1
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Invalid System Disk
In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children
(they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? Any help would be appreciated, Robert |
#2
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Hello Robert,
That error_ message is usually generated once a file like "command.com" is missing and you followed the right procedure. Does it not go into "Safe mode" after it says it is bypassing the startup files? If it can go into Safe mode, let do so and then just shut down, switch off and remove the power cord for a few moments. Then replug and switch on. If you still can't run windows in normal mode, m_aybe someone else will have further suggestions, but I would be willing_ to send you a zip file with the files that I have in my parent (C folder if you wish, strictly upon the basis it is used entirely at your own risk. I run current anti-virus and firewall but you should still do your own virus check if you receive files from someone else. If you would like me to do that, post back with an e-mail address. You can anti- spam your e-mail address by putting words: "delete" in it, which I would ignore, thus: e.g. ". Best of luck. -----Original Message----- In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? Any help would be appreciated, Robert . |
#3
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You say that booting to hard disk gets you to a C:\ prompt, but then you
say that you booted to safe mode, or at least tried. I think there's a step in the middle you haven't mentioned, but the message indicates a simple problem with MSDOS.SYS. See here for an explanation of what might have happened and how to fix it. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=149110 Cannot Start Windows 95 After Using the SYS Command See here for more information on what the file should look like:: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=118579 Contents of the Windows Msdos.sys File -- Jeff Richards MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User) "Robert" wrote in message ... In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? |
#4
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"Robert" wrote in message ... In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? Perhaps, but it probably will not be easy IF it is even possible. How old are these kids? Are they old enough to be aware of the Recycle Bin? If so, did they empty it? If not, boot to DOS again and run a DIR of C:\RECYCLED. But first, type ATTRIB -H C:\RECYCLED to remove the Hidden attribute from the Bin, otherwise it will show up empty even if there are a ton of files in it. Your next problem will be to find out what they are, as they will not show up with their proper names, but we can cross that bridge when and if we get there. [I would also ground the lil darlins for a week, no TV, no Playstation 2, no computer privileges. It won't hurt them. They'll just scream like it does.]. |
#5
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You should ensure that you're using a 98SE startup diskette as the first
step. This has the correct form of the command.com file for your operating system. The plain jane Win 98 command.com file is NOT the same. Go to another PC with internet access and go to bootdisk.com website. Find the 98SE startup disk download. Download it, run the file. Run the resulting file with a formatted floppy in the diskette drive. Afterwards, you should have 98SE startup diskette. The default msdos.sys for the floppy boot diskette is empty of data. Using "sys c:" command simply copies this to the boot sector of the c: partition. Yours or anyone else's PC cannot boot Win 98SE using this form of msdos.sys file. You will only receive an msdos command prompt as you pointed out. Here is an example of the msdos.sys file for booting to windows: [Paths] WinDir=C:\WINDOWS WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS HostWinBootDrv=C [Options] BootMulti=1 BootGUI=1 DoubleBuffer=1 AutoScan=1 WinVer=4.10.2222 ; ;The following lines are required for compatibility with other programs. ;Do not remove them (MSDOS.SYS needs to be 1024 bytes). ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxb ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxd ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxe ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxf ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxg ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxj ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxk ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxm ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxn ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxo ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxp ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxq ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxr ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs If you do not have a SCSI adapter, do not use the DoubleBuffer line. You can use the "edit" command at a dos prompt to modify the msdos.sys file. You have to remove the attributes first from this file using the "attrib" command. Then, after completing the edit, place attributes back on the file. The file should contain RHS attributes (read-only, hidden, system). At the command prompt, enter attrib /? to learn how to use the switches. You must designate a file location with either "edit" or "attrib". Example: "attrib -r -h -s c:\msdos.sys". The "c:\" tells attrib to modify the msdos.sys file on the c: partition, rather than on the floppy (a:\). Attrib.exe and edit.com are not on the startup diskette, you can however run these if you are within the c:\windows\command subdirectory at the dos prompt. Sys.com is not on the startup diskette either, simply copy this from the c:\windows\command subdirectory to the startup diskette. Then run the "sys c:" from the startup diskette after booting from it. You may be able to copy attrib to the startup floppy, but due to capacity restraints of the floppy, and the size of the edit.com file, you will not be able to copy it to the startup diskette as is. All this is a bit complicated for the novice, but is doable if you pay attention to detail and responses after entering a dos command. "Robert" wrote in message ... In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? Any help would be appreciated, Robert |
#6
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To clarify:
After I received the "System Transferred" message I shut the computer off, removed the boot disk, and attempted to boot the computer on it's own. The 1st time I attempted to boot to regular (I know that's the wrong term) Windows and received the "C:\" prompt. The 2nd time I tried to boot into "Safemode" (holding the ctrl key down) I received "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I'm not sure what "missing step" you are referring to? In the mean time I'll be looking at the links you provided. Thanks for your time, Robert PS Reading these boards on Outlook Express is the only way to fly! "Jeff Richards" wrote in message ... You say that booting to hard disk gets you to a C:\ prompt, but then you say that you booted to safe mode, or at least tried. I think there's a step in the middle you haven't mentioned, but the message indicates a simple problem with MSDOS.SYS. See here for an explanation of what might have happened and how to fix it. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=149110 Cannot Start Windows 95 After Using the SYS Command See here for more information on what the file should look like:: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=118579 Contents of the Windows Msdos.sys File -- Jeff Richards MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User) "Robert" wrote in message ... In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? |
#7
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Unfortunately the know about the Recycle Bin, and they are very thorough,
they emptied it. Should I still go ahead and "type ATTRIB -H C:\RECYCLED to remove the Hidden attribute from the Bin"? and if so should I be doing this after booting with the "boot disk" or without? ground the lil darlins .........there will be no grounding, I'm sending them back to SCHOOL! Thanks for your help, Robert "Hugh Candlin" wrote in message ... "Robert" wrote in message ... In an effort to open up space on one of our win98se machines my children (they go back to school Monday) started to delete things "they" thought were not needed. I'm not totally sure what it was they deleted but I now have the following: The System: Pentium w/MMX 233 mhz 92 ram win98se When I try to boot up we get the following. "Invalid System Disk." I tried to get it going with a win98 boot disk and read in the help file that if I saw the error above that I should run "SYS C:" I did this and it reported back that the "System Transferred". I then shut the computer off (with the power switch), took out the boot disk, and attempted to restart the computer only to get this: "c:\" and when attempting in safe mode this: "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I have also run Scandisk (off of the boot disk) and it found no errors on "C". Is it possible to get this unit running again? Perhaps, but it probably will not be easy IF it is even possible. How old are these kids? Are they old enough to be aware of the Recycle Bin? If so, did they empty it? If not, boot to DOS again and run a DIR of C:\RECYCLED. But first, type ATTRIB -H C:\RECYCLED to remove the Hidden attribute from the Bin, otherwise it will show up empty even if there are a ton of files in it. Your next problem will be to find out what they are, as they will not show up with their proper names, but we can cross that bridge when and if we get there. [I would also ground the lil darlins for a week, no TV, no Playstation 2, no computer privileges. It won't hurt them. They'll just scream like it does.]. |
#8
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The missing step is that you used the Ctrl key to get the startup menu and
then selected an option from the startup menu. This indicates that the first part of the boot process is working OK. The alternative would be to try and start Windows from the C:\ prompt, which would not have revealed anything about the state of MSDOS.SYS. In fact, that you could get the startup menu using the Ctrl key suggests that MSDOS.SYS is not the problem, but it's worth checking nonetheless. -- Jeff Richards MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User) "Robert" wrote in message ... To clarify: After I received the "System Transferred" message I shut the computer off, removed the boot disk, and attempted to boot the computer on it's own. The 1st time I attempted to boot to regular (I know that's the wrong term) Windows and received the "C:\" prompt. The 2nd time I tried to boot into "Safemode" (holding the ctrl key down) I received "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I'm not sure what "missing step" you are referring to? In the mean time I'll be looking at the links you provided. Thanks for your time, Robert |
#10
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How can I, if possible, start windows from "c:\" ?
"Jeff Richards" wrote in message ... The missing step is that you used the Ctrl key to get the startup menu and then selected an option from the startup menu. This indicates that the first part of the boot process is working OK. The alternative would be to try and start Windows from the C:\ prompt, which would not have revealed anything about the state of MSDOS.SYS. In fact, that you could get the startup menu using the Ctrl key suggests that MSDOS.SYS is not the problem, but it's worth checking nonetheless. -- Jeff Richards MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User) "Robert" wrote in message ... To clarify: After I received the "System Transferred" message I shut the computer off, removed the boot disk, and attempted to boot the computer on it's own. The 1st time I attempted to boot to regular (I know that's the wrong term) Windows and received the "C:\" prompt. The 2nd time I tried to boot into "Safemode" (holding the ctrl key down) I received "Windows is bypassing your startup files". I'm not sure what "missing step" you are referring to? In the mean time I'll be looking at the links you provided. Thanks for your time, Robert |
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