Startup Disk

[astro]

Need some help here guys. Building computer (1st) and booted up with startup disk containing all necessary files. It boots to the same screen as it does without a disk. It says at the bottom, after showing RAM,drives, etc, "loading boot record from floppy..OK" I think I'm suppose to be getting to a prompt where I can type FDISK. What am I doing wrong? If I hit enter, it just repeats the message. Thanks for the help. Who said this was easy?

[smokin1]

do you get a command prompt?

[fix_it]

sounds as if you don't have the 3 system files on your system..or..boot disk. Throw that disk in a friends computer and look for Command.com.....

[smokin1]

An easy but not perfect way is to make a startup disk from a functional computer using the same Os type you want to install and include CD support. Do it under add/remove programs in control panel...choose create startup disk

[astro]

OK, That got that part, now another wall to climb. I was planning on installing windows 98 til I found out today it cost 189.00. My startup that I finally got to work came off a windows 95 and it say's "starting windows 95." Queston: would I be OK installing windows 95 and upgrading to 98? Or should I pay the price for 98?

Next problem: while installing CDRom, it ask for MSCDEX.EXE which was on my startup disk.
Said it cannot find it. Install it in C /forum/biggrin.gifOS and try again. How do I install the mscdex to C /forum/biggrin.gifOS? I hate to be so dumb, but everyone said the best way to learn was do it yourself. Thanks Guys.

[astro]

Heck, I don't even know how I got the faces. That should be c/dos.

[This message has been edited by astro (edited 09-20-99).]

[smokin1]

Question1..what OS will you install?
if you have win95 then OK use the CD install disk. In regard to the cd rom you should have from the OEM or whatever box a floppy.. run install with the floppy and reboot...you will now have cd support..if you don't have an install floppy for your cd...download one from the mfg site or use a generic MS one..if you eventually purchase 98 run it as a fresh install...even if it is the upgrade..all you need is the cd or disks from the OS you are upgrading from
/forum/smile.gif

[astro]

No, all I get is the BIO's screen showing the size RAM, MHZ, Model Hard Drive ETC. At the bottom of that screen is where it say's "Loadin boot record from floppy..ok"

[astro]

I did use the install floppy that can with the CD. On the second screen it ask for the path of mscdex.exe it also showed it at the same time highlighted at the bottom of the screen as c\dos\mscdex.exe. When I clicked on OK, it said "could not find mscdex.exe. It was on my startup disk and is on the directory at A: prompt.

[astro]

OK!!!!!now I'm to installing Windows 95.
Problem: will not run scandisk. Said it can't because there is no extended memory. It said make sure HIMEM.SYS is on the boot or startup disk. Say's I may have to go where the file is (A or C) and make a new line like "device=A:\himem.sys or device=C:\himem.sys" then reboot. It is on the startup disk and in the A: dir . I promise if you guys get me through this operation, I will never attempt to build another PC. Thanks

[codybear]

if you are doing a clean install of 95 then you do not have to worry about it running scandisk...it will let you install 95 without running it and you should have no problems

by a clean install I'm assuming that you formatted and did fdisk and rebooted.........if so then you will be fine

[This message has been edited by codybear (edited 09-20-99).]

[smokin1]

Hey Astro....after you get through this you'll be dying to do it again!
/forum/smile.gif

[astro]

I tell you what. You guy's are something else. I could not have made it this for without all of your help, BUT, I'm going to up grade my other PC, then it's bye bye for me.

OK, I'm done. works great. Thanks again.

[This message has been edited by astro (edited 09-20-99).]

[smokin1]

Reboot and cd support should be there
if not run install again(from cd install disk) from command prompt and reboot..