Problem with 98 Machine not booting

[stuman19]

System Specs:

Win98
Micron PC
256MB Ram
P2 500 Mhz

Evidentally the system had problems booting up because it had a missing himem.sys file or it wasn't in the config.sys one of the two. So, the owner called another software consultant (worthless), and she did something to it to try to get himem.sys back on the system. Well, now upon bootup it just gives me an error of non system disk replace and press any key telling me that it can't find the operating system or proper boot files. So, I booted off of a Win98 boot disk and checked to see if there was anything on the hard drive and there seems to be everything necessary, so I don't know if the lady did something to screw it up or what. I think it should just be re-formatted and start over, but do you have any other things you can think of? Thanks.

Stu

 

[txxxx]

Have you tried using a boot disk and running Scandisk or something? Hard disk may be on its way out.

 

[sorehead]

I believe a clean install would be best also but have you tried to do a scanreg /restore.
Boot to command prompt only option 6 pressing F8 at start up. At the prompt type:
scanreg_/restore with the underscore representing a space. When the dates come up choose a day before it failed. May not be possible at this point but something else to try.

 

[bacillus]

suggest you try booting off a win98 startup floppy & at the A: prompt type sys C: then hit enter, remove floppy & reboot to sort out your non system disk error.

then have a look here & here

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: bacillus
suggest you try booting off a win98 startup floppy & at the A: prompt type sys C: then hit enter, remove floppy & reboot to sort out your non system disk error.

then have a look here & here

Did the sys C:, but out of curiousity, what does it do? It said system transferred.

 

[bacillus]

it transfer the system startup files which I suspect may have been somehow damaged on the hdd.
if you get the system up & running suggest you scan for viruses as a priority!

 

[stuman19]

Originally posted by: bacillus
it transfer the system startup files which I suspect may have been somehow damaged on the hdd.
if you get the system up & running suggest you scan for viruses as a priority!

You were right, I appreciate your help...you are the man! I did not know that, and a virus scan will follow. Wow your good.

Thanks,
Stu