OS not found error

kookiethekat · 11-27-2006, 03:51 PM

Hi all

For some reason I cannot access the OS on my laptop, I have downloaded all versions of a boot disk and non of them work, I am getting an error saying non system disk or disk error.

Someone suggested it is a HDD problem (it's fried they said) but I was wondering how to get into DOS, I am using a Samsung Laptop with Bios 4.0 release 6.0

Thanks

Jlp1928 · 11-27-2006, 11:17 PM

Hi, Are you using a Floppy boot disk? A bad HD will not keep a floppy from working. Check the boot disk. It should have a visible file called Command.com and two hidden files called IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS. Without those a disk is not a boot disk. Download a 98 boot disk or borrow one from a friend. You can also make one on a working 98 system. Madboot is a free download and will do the job.

Good Luck, Jim

kookiethekat · 11-28-2006, 01:21 AM

Thanks for the advice Jim, I have downloaded a 98 boot disk from Mad Boot as suggested but when I boot to it I am geting this message

"non-system disk or disk error"
"Replace and strike any key when ready"

Any ideas?

kookiethekat · 11-28-2006, 02:45 AM

I managed to do a boot disk from my pc running 98, it has all the files you said it needs, it is reading it but its not doing anything, all I have is a flashing cursor in the top left hand corner and if I try and press any buttons it just reads the disk again

**koala** · 11-28-2006, 09:22 PM

Is the hard drive formatted and set to Active in BIOS? Is this a new problem on a working Windows drive or a fresh install?

Make sure the IDE cable is firmly connected to the drive and motherboard. It may need to be replaced if faulty.

Also check the boot order, and is the drive detected in BIOS?

Jlp1928 · 11-30-2006, 07:45 AM

Hi again Kookie, If you get a non system disk error from the floppy then the floppy is not a boot disk or it is not set up in the BIOS setup to boot and is still trying to boot from the HD. Does the Mad Boot floppy have Command.Com on it? If not it can be made bootable in a running 98 system by the format function. Don't Format just check add System Files. If you are sucessful in booting to A:> with a proper 98 Start up (Boot disk - Madboot) then try Sys C: to put the boot files on the HD and FDisk /mbr to repair the Master Boot Record. That may get the HD going.

Good Luck, Jim

Jlp1928 · 12-07-2006, 07:36 AM

Hi, A disk formated with the 98 Formater with System Files is in fact a boot disk, but does not have the diagnostics. What most folks call a 98 boot disk is really a Starup disk with boot and diagnostics. Go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk. Follow through and you will have a 98 startup/boot disk with all the diags. Mad Boot should have been almost the same, so something is still fishy here.

Good Luck, Jim

Jlp1928 · 12-08-2006, 07:22 AM

Hi again Kookie, Forgot to mention that the StartUp disk also sets up the CD so you can run the setup.

Jim

11-27-2006, 03:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
kookiethekat Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 19 OS: Windows 98	OS not found error Hi all For some reason I cannot access the OS on my laptop, I have downloaded all versions of a boot disk and non of them work, I am getting an error saying non system disk or disk error. Someone suggested it is a HDD problem (it's fried they said) but I was wondering how to get into DOS, I am using a Samsung Laptop with Bios 4.0 release 6.0 Thanks

11-28-2006, 09:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,336 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Is the hard drive formatted and set to Active in BIOS? Is this a new problem on a working Windows drive or a fresh install? Make sure the IDE cable is firmly connected to the drive and motherboard. It may need to be replaced if faulty. Also check the boot order, and is the drive detected in BIOS? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

11-27-2006, 11:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi, Are you using a Floppy boot disk? A bad HD will not keep a floppy from working. Check the boot disk. It should have a visible file called Command.com and two hidden files called IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS. Without those a disk is not a boot disk. Download a 98 boot disk or borrow one from a friend. You can also make one on a working 98 system. Madboot is a free download and will do the job. Good Luck, Jim

11-28-2006, 01:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
kookiethekat Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 19 OS: Windows 98	Thanks for the advice Jim, I have downloaded a 98 boot disk from Mad Boot as suggested but when I boot to it I am geting this message "non-system disk or disk error" "Replace and strike any key when ready" Any ideas?

11-28-2006, 02:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
kookiethekat Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 19 OS: Windows 98	I managed to do a boot disk from my pc running 98, it has all the files you said it needs, it is reading it but its not doing anything, all I have is a flashing cursor in the top left hand corner and if I try and press any buttons it just reads the disk again

11-30-2006, 07:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi again Kookie, If you get a non system disk error from the floppy then the floppy is not a boot disk or it is not set up in the BIOS setup to boot and is still trying to boot from the HD. Does the Mad Boot floppy have Command.Com on it? If not it can be made bootable in a running 98 system by the format function. Don't Format just check add System Files. If you are sucessful in booting to A:> with a proper 98 Start up (Boot disk - Madboot) then try Sys C: to put the boot files on the HD and FDisk /mbr to repair the Master Boot Record. That may get the HD going. Good Luck, Jim

12-07-2006, 07:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi, A disk formated with the 98 Formater with System Files is in fact a boot disk, but does not have the diagnostics. What most folks call a 98 boot disk is really a Starup disk with boot and diagnostics. Go to Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, Startup Disk. Follow through and you will have a 98 startup/boot disk with all the diags. Mad Boot should have been almost the same, so something is still fishy here. Good Luck, Jim

12-08-2006, 07:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jlp1928 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 OS: Win98, XP, 2000	Hi again Kookie, Forgot to mention that the StartUp disk also sets up the CD so you can run the setup. Jim