CD Drive doesn't auto start to re-load Windows

[terryellis]

Hello, My system is missing a file and is asking me to re-install windows when I try to turn it on. When I put my windows 98 cd in the drive; it does not auto start. I can't get into my pc to run the install.

What ways can a person get there cd to start if they can't get into their computer?

Thanks!

[Miz]

Boot the computer with your Windows CD in the CD drive. If it boots to the CD, follow the prompts on the screen to reinstall Windows.

If it ignores the CD, you'll need to get into the BIOS to set the CD drive first in the boot device order.

Early in the boot process, watch for a screen that tells you to press a key, or a combination of keys, to "Enter setup." If you see that screen, press that key.

If you don't get such a screen, the Delete key is often the one needed. If you can't get into the BIOS, post the make and model of your computer back in this thread.

Once in the BIOS (Setup), find the boot device order, move the CD drive up to first place (and the floppy drive to second place), make sure the Windows CD is in the CD drive and use the "Exit Saving Changes" option. See if it will boot to the CD.

However, not all Windows 98 CDs are bootable. If it turns out yours is not, you'll need a boot floppy. If you don't have one, you can make it on any working Windows 98 computer in Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs>Setup disk (or maybe it says Start disk, can't remember) tab. You'll need one blank formatted floppy disk.

Or you can download a file that will make a boot floppy from www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm . Click on the download link in the line "Windows 98 SE OEM | Mirror1 | 2 | 3." Once you have the file downloaded, open it and follow the prompts on the screen to make a boot floppy.

Once you have a boot floppy made, put it in the floppy drive and turn the computer on. After it stops whirring and clicking, you should be offered a few choices. Choose the one "with CD ROM support," press the Enter key.

After some more whirring and clicking, you'll have an A:\ prompt. Put your Windows CD into the CD drive. Type E:\setup, press the Enter key. Hopefully, that will fire up the Windows CD.

[terryellis]

When I go to the boothdisk site and follow your instructions the only sites I see for bootdisk are pay for downloads sites?

Thanks!

[Miz]

Ooops...sorry. A typo in my link which I just corrected. A misplaced "h."

Try www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

[terryellis]

Thanks that worked, I will let you know how my project went.

Terry

[terryellis]

Hello Miz,

Thank you for your directions on how to create a boot dick. Unfortunately, I kept getting drive full and could not re-load my Windows 98. I had to format my c drive and start from scatch. I guess this will stop all of my pop ups and home page changes.

Hey, do you know of a good virus protection software that will stop any trojans or worms that enter your system?

Terry