98 boot disk issue

[Crys1]

We're trying to install 98SE on a system with no OS. We have a working boot disk and everything in the computer seems to be working, but The system won't boot to DoS from the boot disk. The sequence is set up to boot from the floppy first as well. It gives him the message "boot disk failure - insert system disk" or just "boot disk failure".. I can't remember which. I sent him out to get a new Floppy drive LOL.. He's about to toss the computer out into the Atlantic. Please help if possible. thanks.

PS: the boot Disk has also been tested and works, just to let you know.

[Nick Grana]

Wait for his return with another drive and get back.
Since flops aren't used that much anymore, they tend to get pretty dusty and dirty. A simple cleaning flop may have worked if the new flop drive works.:cool:

[Crys1]

BAH!!! Well we're still getting the same message, and He's about to take a hammer to it LOL The problem is that we're not getting to the DoS prompt even though the boot disk works :curse:

[Murray S.]

Howdy and welcome to CTH:

Just want to check, but does the light on the floppy drive stay on all the time??

Murray

[Crys1]

Hi there!!

No, It doesn't. We just keep getting the same message, and Everything seems to be getting detected on boot-up, but No prompt. If I could get to that point at least I would be progressing LOL

[Murray S.]

Double check BIOS and make sure the floppy is set as a: drive and 3.5"..

Murray

[Crys1]

Will do, and I will let you know how it goes =) I appreciate you trying to help btw, thank you for responding. Geez men have no patience for this stuff =P

[Murray S.]

Let me know what you find there.. One more thing, does the floppy drive engage at all during POST (light come on) ??

Also, when he replaced the floppy drive, did he get a new cable as well??

Murray

[Crys1]

Ok I was wrong LOL.. It says to him "boot disk error - Please insert system disk and press enter" Sorry, I am sick and trying to do this LOL

Also, I looked at the boot area of the BIOS, and It looks like this:

1. Removable device [disabled]
2. IDE hard drive [disabled]
3. ATAPI CD ROM
4. other boot device [SCSI boot device]
plug & play o/s [no]
reset config data [no]
boot virus detection [enabled]
quick power on self test [enabled]
boot up floppy seek [enabled]

[Crys1]

WooT A breakthrough.. the A:\ prompt!!!!

[Crys1]

Ok we got as far as the c:\win98 prompt, so That's a bit farther LOL

[Crys1]

Ok, Now I cannot access the cd-rom even with the CD-ROM support on.. Any suggestions? =)

[Murray S.]

Well, first of all, is there a scsi hard-drive in that system or an IDE hard-drive??

Secondly, when you boot using the boot floppy, are you getting the option to "Start WITH cd-rom support" ??

Lastly, Have you tried changing the first boot device option to see if there was an option to boot from the floppy??

Murray

[Crys1]

It's an IDE HDD, and We finally gained the command prompt.. We also selected Start Computer with CD-ROM support, but When reading the CD-ROM is gives the abort, retry, fail

[Nick Grana]

1. Removable device [disabled]
2. IDE hard drive [disabled]
3. ATAPI CD ROM
4. other boot device [SCSI boot device]
plug & play o/s [no]
Seems to me you need to use whatever key to change no to yes on 1. and 2, if using an ide hard drive and 4. none if not using a scsi.:cool:

[Crys1]

Well, We got past the boot disk issue and walked right into the CDR101 error.. abort, retry, fail? This is where I am now stuck.. Any help would be great, and thank you for your previous help. Thank god I only have to do this once.

[Murray S.]

That means your boot disk is NOT loading the cd-rom drivers..

Get a new one.. www.bootdisk.com (http://www.bootdisk.com)

Murray

[Crys1]

Well, We did gain access to the CD-ROM, but After copying a few files it fails to read again. Oh well, I will figure this out, and Thanks alot Murray and Nick for your help. It was very much appreciated ;) I hope you both are well, and Sorry for all of the trouble.

[Murray S.]

No trouble.. Are you saying the cd-rom drive starts reading files from the cd and then quits??

Murray

[Crys1]

Yes Sir, That's what happens, and It's driving me to drink!! I don't drink, but still.. If I did :dizzy:

[Murray S.]

Try running a cd drive lense cleaner through it (you can buy them almost anywhere)..

Murray

[Crys1]

Thanks again Murray. I will have him pick one up on his way home and try that.

[Murray S.]

Keep in touch and let us know how it goes!!

Murray

[Crys1]

Will do, but I hope something works soon because he is quickly losing his patience LOL

[Crys1]

Well I was just getting ready to try to install Windows again, but It can no longer find the ROM drive letter though it has been detected, and It is set up in the BIOS and so forth. It was assigned previously as F since E is that RAM drive, D is the 2nd HDD, C is the master, and A is floppy. Now F is an invalid drive letter. We tried from F - Z LOL :curse:

[Murray S.]

:rotflmao: You guys are having all the luck..

Go into BIOS and double check to make sure the IDE devices are all set to "auto"..

Open the system and make sure all cables are connected properly and tightly..

Boot using the boot floppy once more (methinks we may be wearing out your floppy drive.. :D ) making sure you use the "Start with cd-rom support"..

Just curious now that I look back on your last post, what do you have the cd-rom drive jumpered as and where is it located on the IDE cable??

Murray

[Crys1]

ROFL You're not kidding!! We had access to the ROM drive at one point, then We made the booboo of turning it off! *kicks own ass here* C is master, D is Primary slave (I think), and the ROM is jumpered at 2ndary slave. E,as I said, is the RAM-drive =) At the "start computer with CD-ROM support" screen, We choose that, it says "device name: MSCD001 Transfer Mode: Programmed I/O Number of drives: 1
Microsoft RAMdrive version 3.06 virtual disk E:.. size of the disk and so forth. The ROM is directly plugged into the MB.

[Murray S.]

Is the cd-rom the only IDE device on the secondary connection?? If so, jumper it as master and see what happens..

Murray

[Crys1]

I know that you guys have already helped me numerous times, (We took a small break from his computer) but Now I have a silly issue.. The Windows install seemed to go through fine and everything, but It still wants to book from the floppy disk.. It also won't let me change the boot order and it's set to boot A first..