Windows 98 will not start

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Margie - 29 Nov 2003 00:09 GMT

I have a Gateway computer with Windows 98 SE. Suddenly
when I start the computer, it says invalid system disk and
Windows 98 does not start.

Any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it?

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 29 Nov 2003 00:15 GMT

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a
boot floppy. Use it to start the problem computer, type
"sys c:" and press "Enter". Then remove the floppy and
restart.

Ben

> I have a Gateway computer with Windows 98 SE. Suddenly
> when I start the computer, it says invalid system disk and
> Windows 98 does not start.
>
> Any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it?

Reply to this Message

Margie - 29 Nov 2003 02:53 GMT

I followed your directions. After I typed "sys c:" it
said "system transferred". I removed the floppy but when I
restart the computer, it tells me to insert a boot
diskette. Windows 98 still won't start.

>-----Original Message-----
>Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>> Any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it?
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 29 Nov 2003 18:44 GMT

Start the computer, go into the BIOS setup and make sure that
the hard drives are set up properly. Use autodetect if available
and save the changes when exiting. If this doesn't help, download
http://www.invircible.com/download/ivinit.exe to the boot floppy.
Start the computer with the floppy, type "ivinit" and press
"Enter". It will check the master boot record for viruses and
corruption and may be able to install a fresh copy.

Ben

> I followed your directions. After I typed "sys c:" it
> said "system transferred". I removed the floppy but when I
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> >> Any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it?
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 29 Nov 2003 20:19 GMT

I downloaded ivinit onto the boot floppy, started the
computer, and I got a message saying "Self integrity and
decoy tests passed ok!"

I don't know how to check if the hard drives are set up
properly. When the computer starts, if I hit F1, the set
up screen appears but I don't know what to check after
that.

Now when I start the computer, it just gives me a C prompt
and nothing else.

>-----Original Message-----
>Start the computer, go into the BIOS setup and make sure that
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 29 Nov 2003 21:05 GMT

If you are getting a "c:\" prompt, the boot drive is probably set
up properly. Computers that boot straight to DOS often have
a missing or invalid "c:\msdos.sys" file. Copy and paste the following
text to Notepad, save it to a floppy and put it on the problem
computer as "c:\msdos.sys". Note that the boot floppy probably
contains a file with this name, which means that you will have to
save the file under a different file name, then rename it on the
other computer. Also, you may have to use "attrib.exe" to
remove the "Hidden", "System" and "Read-only" attributes
from the existing "c:\msdos.sys" file.

[Paths]
WinDir=C:\WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS
HostWinBootDrv=C
[Options]
BootGUI=1
;end

Ben

> I downloaded ivinit onto the boot floppy, started the
> computer, and I got a message saying "Self integrity and
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
> >> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 01 Dec 2003 10:54 GMT

Sorry, but you lost me. I did copy the text onto a floppy
but I couldn't get it to work on the problem computer. All
I get is an "A" prompt now. Honestly, I didn't understand
the rest of your instructions. I'm not nearly as
knowledgeable about computers as you obviously are. I'm
ready to give up, but I really do appreciate your help.

>-----Original Message-----
>If you are getting a "c:\" prompt, the boot drive is probably set
[quoted text clipped - 80 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 04 Dec 2003 00:24 GMT

I apologize for not explaining myself appropriately. Download
http://benjmyers.home.mindspring.com/public/msdos.bat to the
boot floppy. Start the problem computer with the floppy, type
"msdos.bat" and press "Enter". It will try to create the file to
which I referred in my previous post.

Ben

> Sorry, but you lost me. I did copy the text onto a floppy
> but I couldn't get it to work on the problem computer. All
[quoted text clipped - 109 lines]
> >> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 05 Dec 2003 07:12 GMT

I followed your instructions and I got a message
saying "Unable to find c:\windows\command\attrib.exe"

>-----Original Message-----
>I apologize for not explaining myself appropriately. Download
[quoted text clipped - 120 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 05 Dec 2003 15:32 GMT

This file should exist. You may have to reinstall Windows 98.
If you have a Windows 98 CD, start the computer with the
boot floppy, insert the CD and type the following lines:

e:\win98\setup
f:\win98\setup
g:\win98\setup

If you don't have a Windows CD, start the computer with the
boot floppy and type

dir /s c:\win.com
dir /s c:\base4.cab
scandisk c:

Ben

> I followed your instructions and I got a message
> saying "Unable to find c:\windows\command\attrib.exe"
[quoted text clipped - 153 lines]
> >> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 06 Dec 2003 23:52 GMT

I have a Windows 98 Upgrade CD. The scandisk ran and there
were no errors. The set up started but then a I got the
following message. "SU0013- Setup can not create files on
your startup drive and can not set up Windows 98."

I borrowed my neighbor's Windows 98 CD in case the problem
was that my CD was an Upgrade version, but when I
typed "setup", it said "This program can not run in DOS
mode."

I guess it's time for a new computer. Thanks for all your
help.

>-----Original Message-----
>This file should exist. You may have to reinstall Windows 98.
[quoted text clipped - 173 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Bill Watt - 07 Dec 2003 01:55 GMT

>I have a Windows 98 Upgrade CD. The scandisk ran and there
>were no errors. The set up started but then a I got the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>I guess it's time for a new computer. Thanks for all your
>help.

Margie,

You should be able to work around this re-install. Hold off on the
new Machine.

Use your Win98 Upgrade CD to re-install Windows. Boot with a Win98
Startup diskette with CDrom support and change to the CDrom drive
letter, It may be temporarily be one letter higher than normal. e.g.
D: to E: If Setup wants to install into a Windows.000 or similar
folder change it to Windows.

E: <enter>
Setup <enter>

Or
F: <enter>
Setup. <enter>

Err Msg: Setup Cannot Create Files on Your Startup Drive and Cannot
Set Up Windows 98
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;200119

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
E-mail address is fake to minimize spam.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 12 Dec 2003 09:27 GMT

I still keep getting the exact same error message.

>-----Original Message-----
>
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

Hugh Candlin - 12 Dec 2003 18:27 GMT

> I still keep getting the exact same error message.

See if this helps

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 129971
"SU" Error Message List for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=129971

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 13 Dec 2003 22:21 GMT

If there is no data on the computer worth saving, start it
with the boot floppy, type "fdisk /mbr" and press "Enter".
Restart with the floppy still in the drive, insert the Windows
CD and type the following:

e:\win98\setup
f:\win98\setup
g:\win98\setup

Ben

> I still keep getting the exact same error message.
>
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 15 Dec 2003 10:10 GMT

After I typed "fdisk /mbr", it said "The master boot code
has NOT been updated."

>-----Original Message-----
>If there is no data on the computer worth saving, start it
[quoted text clipped - 68 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 15 Dec 2003 13:41 GMT

The computer may have its built-in antivirus protection
turned on. Start the computer and watch the screen
carefully for something like "Press delete for setup".
Press the appropriate key and try to find a screen
with "Boot virus protection". Disable it, save the change,
then start with the boot floppy and try "fdisk /mbr" again.
If it's successful, try Windows setup again.

Ben

> After I typed "fdisk /mbr", it said "The master boot code
> has NOT been updated."
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> >
> >Ben

Reply to this Message

Margie - 17 Dec 2003 03:01 GMT

I searched the setup menu but there is no listing for Boot
Virus Protection.

>-----Original Message-----
>The computer may have its built-in antivirus protection
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 18 Dec 2003 03:18 GMT

Download http://www.biosworld.com/ctbios/ctbios.exe
to the boot floppy. Start the problem computer with the floppy,
type "a:\ctbios > a:\mbid.txt" and press "Enter". Then repost with
the contents of the "a:\mbid.txt" file.

Ben

> I searched the setup menu but there is no listing for Boot
> Virus Protection.
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 19 Dec 2003 05:28 GMT

I followed your instructions, but after I pressed "enter",
I simply got an "A" prompt. I assume I should have seen
more than that?

>-----Original Message-----
>Download http://www.biosworld.com/ctbios/ctbios.exe
[quoted text clipped - 45 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 19 Dec 2003 21:52 GMT

If you typed "a:\ctbios > a:\mbid.txt", the boot floppy should
contain a file named "a:\mbid.txt". Open the file with Notepad
and copy and paste the contents into your next post.

Ben

> I followed your instructions, but after I pressed "enter",
> I simply got an "A" prompt. I assume I should have seen
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
> >> >
> >.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 20 Dec 2003 09:29 GMT

Thanks for explaining.

BIOS-Info, c't/Andreas Stiller, V. 1.3 5/99

Computer ID : FC, SubTyp: 01, BIOS-Level: 0
Rechnertyp : AT-3, Konfigurationsbyte $74
Maus laut BIOS : nicht PS/2-Typ
Maustreiber : nicht gefunden
Bus : ISA/PCI
Hauptspeicher : 640 KB, davon verfgbar : 640 KB
Extended Memory : 65535 KB
BIOS Date : 07/15/95
PCI-BIOS gefunden : Version 02.10
Konfigurations-Mech. : 1
Special-Cycle-Mech. : 0
PCI-Busse : 1
32-Bit-PCI-BIOS : Revision:0
AMI-BIOS found : Version 00.-0, Date 15.07.95
Processor : 586
BIOS : 128 KB
Reference Number : 64
OEM ID : 8200
URL : ????
Chipset : I430TX
Maus via KeybCtrl : nein
Takt-Umschaltung : nein
Cache-Umschaltung : nein
BIOS Modified Flag : 0

>-----Original Message-----
>If you typed "a:\ctbios > a:\mbid.txt", the boot floppy should
[quoted text clipped - 65 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 20 Dec 2003 20:34 GMT

Start the computer and type F1 to get into the BIOS setup.
Use the arrow keys to select "Primary IDE Master" and
press "Enter". Make sure the configuration is set to "Auto"
or "Auto Configure". If it isn't, change it and make sure to
save the new settings when exiting. If "Auto Configure" is
already selected, please repost with the information displayed
in "Primary IDE Master".

Ben

Thanks for explaining.

BIOS-Info, c't/Andreas Stiller, V. 1.3 5/99

Computer ID : FC, SubTyp: 01, BIOS-Level: 0
Rechnertyp : AT-3, Konfigurationsbyte $74
Maus laut BIOS : nicht PS/2-Typ
Maustreiber : nicht gefunden
Bus : ISA/PCI
Hauptspeicher : 640 KB, davon verfgbar : 640 KB
Extended Memory : 65535 KB
BIOS Date : 07/15/95
PCI-BIOS gefunden : Version 02.10
Konfigurations-Mech. : 1
Special-Cycle-Mech. : 0
PCI-Busse : 1
32-Bit-PCI-BIOS : Revision:0
AMI-BIOS found : Version 00.-0, Date 15.07.95
Processor : 586
BIOS : 128 KB
Reference Number : 64
OEM ID : 8200
URL : ????
Chipset : I430TX
Maus via KeybCtrl : nein
Takt-Umschaltung : nein
Cache-Umschaltung : nein
BIOS Modified Flag : 0

>-----Original Message-----
>If you typed "a:\ctbios > a:\mbid.txt", the boot floppy

should

>contain a file named "a:\mbid.txt". Open the file with

Notepad

>and copy and paste the contents into your next post.
>
>Ben
>
>"Margie" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message news:077901c3c5f0$f7a34080$a301280a@phx.gbl...

>> I followed your instructions, but after I

pressed "enter",

>> I simply got an "A" prompt. I assume I should have seen
>> more than that?
>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >Download http://www.biosworld.com/ctbios/ctbios.exe
>> >to the boot floppy. Start the problem computer with

the

>> floppy,
>> >type "a:\ctbios > a:\mbid.txt" and press "Enter".

Then

>> repost with
>> >the contents of the "a:\mbid.txt" file.
>> >
>> >Ben
>> >
>> >"Margie" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

>> message news:049601c3c44a$03b5b590$a501280a@phx.gbl...
>> >> I searched the setup menu but there is no listing

for

>> Boot
>> >> Virus Protection.
>> >>
>> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >The computer may have its built-in antivirus

protection

>> >> >turned on. Start the computer and watch the screen
>> >> >carefully for something like "Press delete for

setup".

>> >> >Press the appropriate key and try to find a screen
>> >> >with "Boot virus protection". Disable it, save the
>> >> change,
>> >> >then start with the boot floppy and

try "fdisk /mbr"

>> >> again.
>> >> >If it's successful, try Windows setup again.
>> >> >
>> >> >Ben
>> >> >
>> >> >"Margie" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com>

wrote

>> in
>> >> message news:020601c3c2f3$a64fb970

$a001280a@phx.gbl...

>> >> >> After I typed "fdisk /mbr", it said "The master

boot

>> >> code
>> >> >> has NOT been updated."
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >-----Original Message-----
>> >> >> >If there is no data on the computer worth

saving,

>> >> start it
>> >> >> >with the boot floppy, type "fdisk /mbr" and
>> >> >> press "Enter".
>> >> >> >Restart with the floppy still in the drive,

insert

>> the
>> >> >> Windows
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> >
>.

Reply to this Message

Margie - 21 Dec 2003 23:37 GMT

IDE Device Configuration - Auto Configured
Numbers of Cylinders - 3836
Number of Heads - 16
NUmber of Sectors - 63
Maximum Capacity - 1888MB
IDE Translation Mode - Auto Configured
Multiple Sector Setting - Auto Configured
Fast Programmed I/O Modes - 4

>-----Original Message-----
>Start the computer and type F1 to get into the BIOS setup.
[quoted text clipped - 124 lines]
>>
>.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 22 Dec 2003 01:55 GMT

See what kind of hard drive is listed as "Primary IDE Master",
then download and run one of the following. It will create a
bootable floppy disk that you can use to start the computer
and diagnose the hard drive. If the drive is other than the
ones listed below, repost with this information and I'll try to
find something for it.

Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/download/dlg/dlg11_dos.exe

Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/download/seatoold_en.exe

Maxtor
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/downloads/files/powermax.exe

Ben

IDE Device Configuration - Auto Configured
Numbers of Cylinders - 3836
Number of Heads - 16
NUmber of Sectors - 63
Maximum Capacity - 1888MB
IDE Translation Mode - Auto Configured
Multiple Sector Setting - Auto Configured
Fast Programmed I/O Modes - 4

>-----Original Message-----
>Start the computer and type F1 to get into the BIOS setup.
>Use the arrow keys to select "Primary IDE Master" and
>press "Enter". Make sure the configuration is set

to "Auto"

>or "Auto Configure". If it isn't, change it and make

sure to

>save the new settings when exiting. If "Auto Configure"

>already selected, please repost with the information

displayed

>in "Primary IDE Master".
>
>Ben

Reply to this Message

PCR - 22 Dec 2003 04:42 GMT

Here are the Urls of Glee, Myers...

.......Start......of quote of Glee..........
Download the diagnostics for your brand hard drive.

If you do not know the brand, download Seagate SeaTools. After it is
downloaded, double-click it, and it will create a bootable floppy disk
with the diagnostic program on it. Then boot your problem computer
using the bootable floppy, and choose the Generic long test. It will
create a report that you can read from within the program when the tests
are complete, and it is also saved as a text file on the floppy disk.

Alternately, you can use the evaluation version of Ontrack Data Advisor,
which is the same program in its original version. They both are
created the same way.

Seagate SeaTools:
http://download.microshopper.com/hardware/disks/seagate/seatoold.exe
or
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/B7a.html

Error codes:
http://www.seagate.com/support/npf/seatools/st_error_index.html

Data Advisor:
http://www.ontrack.com/freesoftware/#dataadvisor
The download link has not been working recently...if it does not
connect, use Seagate SeaTools instead.

Installation instructions for both:
http://www.ontrack.com/dataadvisor/downloadinfo.asp

If you DO know the brand, find the diagnostics here:

Fujitsu
http://www.fcpa.fujitsu.com/download/hard-drives/#diagnostic

IBM and Hitachi
http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm#DFT

Maxtor
http://www.maxtor.com/en/support/products/index.htm

Seagate
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/index.html

Western Digital
http://support.wdc.com/download/
or
www.westerndigital.com

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
...glen

--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net

>-----Original Message-----
>Start the computer and type F1 to get into the BIOS setup.
>Use the arrow keys to select "Primary IDE Master" and
>press "Enter". Make sure the configuration is set

to "Auto"

>or "Auto Configure". If it isn't, change it and make

sure to

>save the new settings when exiting. If "Auto Configure"

>already selected, please repost with the information

displayed

>in "Primary IDE Master".
>
>Ben

Reply to this Message

Margie - 31 Dec 2003 09:27 GMT

The problem computer was my daughter's and her father
bought her a new one for Christmas, so I'm giving up on
the old one.

Thank you so much for all the time you spent trying to
help me!

Happy New Year!
Margie

>-----Original Message-----
>See what kind of hard drive is listed as "Primary IDE Master",
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
>
>.

Reply to this Message

PCR - 31 Dec 2003 09:42 GMT

Very well. You are welcome.

Signature

Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net

| The problem computer was my daughter's and her father
| bought her a new one for Christmas, so I'm giving up on
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
| >
| >.

Reply to this Message

Bill Watt - 22 Dec 2003 02:04 GMT

__________________________________________________
Download http://benjmyers.home.mindspring.com/public/msdos.bat to
the boot floppy. Start the problem computer with the floppy, type
"msdos.bat" and press "Enter". It will try to create the file to
which I referred in my previous post.
___________________________________________________________

Ben, I wonder if that 2 GB drive has been compressed with Drvspace.
That could cause the SU0013 error during an install. Maybe including
these lines under [Options] in the Msdos.sys file would help?

[Options]
DBLSpace=1
DRVSpace=1

To find out beforehand, at the C:\ prompt enter Dir C: then Dir D:
Then Dir E: etc and see if there is an extra drive with odd
characters for a name. That would be the control file for C:. If so,
it's probably compressed.

I hate to butt in but I just dealt with this problem recently.

Have a great Holiday Season everyone,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
E-mail address is fake to minimize spam.

Reply to this Message

Ben Myers - 22 Dec 2003 03:11 GMT

We are still trying to get the computer to boot from the hard
drive. The original error message was "Invalid system disk".
"Sys c:" returned success, but didn't make the drive bootable.
"Fdisk /mbr" failed with "The master boot record was NOT
updated". My current theory is that there is a second hard
drive getting assigned drive letter "c:" during a floppy bootup.
This might explain why setup was able to run Scandisk
successfully, but was unable to create files on the boot
drive. I haven't had a chance to ask about a second drive.

Ben

> __________________________________________________
> Download http://benjmyers.home.mindspring.com/public/msdos.bat to
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
> E-mail address is fake to minimize spam.

Reply to this Message

Bill Watt - 29 Nov 2003 01:18 GMT

>I have a Gateway computer with Windows 98 SE. Suddenly
>when I start the computer, it says invalid system disk and
>Windows 98 does not start.
>
>Any idea what the problem is or how I can fix it?

Margie,

Do you have a diskette in the floppy drive? If so remove it and
re-boot. Otherwise try Ben's suggestion.

Regards,

Bill Watt
Computer Help and Information http://home.epix.net/~bwatt/
E-mail address is fake to minimize spam.

Reply to this Message

billred gr - 29 Nov 2003 15:29 GMT

>-----Original Message-----
>I have a Gateway computer with Windows 98 SE. Suddenly
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>.
> dear sir madam make sure that is not a flopy disc

in ,take it out and srike any key all the best

Reply to this Message