keyboard trouble with 98 reboot

pencil · 12-16-2007, 04:19 PM

Hi, I am trying to re install 98 se onto my notebook. I have formated the hd. I use a 98se floppy to install cd drivers as usual, then I can change the drive letter to the letter for my cd rom, ok.
Problem- the only way i know how to start the cd is to input cd\e: to change the directory to 'e' and then type setup.exe. That starts 98se loading.

the keyboard key for the \ does not work. i have tried plugging another keyboard in but that is the same. I cannot get into BIOS because pressing del or any other button doesn't do it.

please help

**OldGrayGary** · 12-17-2007, 02:26 AM

Hi pencil

It sounds like you have a good bootable floppy diskette, and that the CD drivers on it are working well enough to find and access the CD. (If you didn't have such a disk, you could download one from bootdisk.com = it has generic CD drivers included that work with most drives).

After starting the notebook from the diskette, you should be at the prompt:
A:>

From that A:> prompt, if your CD has setup.exe in its root directory (some do, some don't), then all you need to type in at the A:> prompt is E:

Like this:
A:> E:

This should work (since you wouldn't need to specify a directory, which would require use of the backslash). Of course, once at the E:> prompt, you can type setup. --> Note: some CDs do not contain the setup.exe in the root directory, but only in the \Win98 folder.
__________________

I'd also recommend trying to successfully enter the Bios of your notebook first. It may be that you are trying the wrong key(s). It is fairly easy to find system manuals online nowadays, so why not have a look on Google (or your favorite search engine) & catch manual for your notebook. Look at the external keyboard instructions, too -- and see if you can get the backslash key working --- the best solution would be to get the notebook's own keyboard to have a functional backslash key. Such Bios settings are generally included in a good system manual.

While in the Bios, disable any Bios antivirus in the Bios menus -- this can interfere with an operating system install (because they need to write to the mbr of the hard disk). Then you can re-enable the Bios antivirus after the operating system is successfully installed.

Let us know if you have questions.
Best of luck
. . . Gary

pencil · 12-17-2007, 12:20 PM

managed to enter bios but there is no boot from cd option. I think that this is because the cd rom is contained in a carrier under the compaq note book.
I can get the e: prompt but the cd will not boot when i type setup.exe. I do have to be in the win98 directory.

Is there a way to use ctrl and some certain numbers to get the \

cheers

**OldGrayGary** · 12-18-2007, 01:50 AM

Hi again

Just to help any other readers who are following this thread, I'm going to add the clarification that when you mention "I can get the e: prompt but the cd will not boot when i type setup.exe" you actually mean to say that "Setup does not start".
____________

If the backslash problem existed only with the notebook's keyboard, I'd figure that it's just a bad key. But since you tried an external keyboard, and had the exact same problem with the backslash key, I'm expecting that a Bios value for the keyboard is not set correctly.

What model Compaq is it? (I'll have a look to see if any Bios information is available).

In the meantime, if the first external keyboard that you tried was a USB keyboard, try one with a PS/2 connector (if the Compaq has a PS/2 connector for it, that is).

This shouldn't be too hard a problem to fix - it's likely a simple setting.
. . . Gary

12-16-2007, 04:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
pencil Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 90 OS: xp home	keyboard trouble with 98 reboot Hi, I am trying to re install 98 se onto my notebook. I have formated the hd. I use a 98se floppy to install cd drivers as usual, then I can change the drive letter to the letter for my cd rom, ok. Problem- the only way i know how to start the cd is to input cd\e: to change the directory to 'e' and then type setup.exe. That starts 98se loading. the keyboard key for the \ does not work. i have tried plugging another keyboard in but that is the same. I cannot get into BIOS because pressing del or any other button doesn't do it. please help __________________ you can take a horse to water but a pencil must be lead!

12-17-2007, 02:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: keyboard trouble with 98 reboot Hi pencil It sounds like you have a good bootable floppy diskette, and that the CD drivers on it are working well enough to find and access the CD. (If you didn't have such a disk, you could download one from bootdisk.com = it has generic CD drivers included that work with most drives). After starting the notebook from the diskette, you should be at the prompt: A:> From that A:> prompt, if your CD has setup.exe in its root directory (some do, some don't), then all you need to type in at the A:> prompt is E: Like this: A:> E: This should work (since you wouldn't need to specify a directory, which would require use of the backslash). Of course, once at the E:> prompt, you can type setup. --> Note: some CDs do not contain the setup.exe in the root directory, but only in the \Win98 folder. __________________ I'd also recommend trying to successfully enter the Bios of your notebook first. It may be that you are trying the wrong key(s). It is fairly easy to find system manuals online nowadays, so why not have a look on Google (or your favorite search engine) & catch manual for your notebook. Look at the external keyboard instructions, too -- and see if you can get the backslash key working --- the best solution would be to get the notebook's own keyboard to have a functional backslash key. Such Bios settings are generally included in a good system manual. While in the Bios, disable any Bios antivirus in the Bios menus -- this can interfere with an operating system install (because they need to write to the mbr of the hard disk). Then you can re-enable the Bios antivirus after the operating system is successfully installed. Let us know if you have questions. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary; 12-17-2007 at 02:27 AM.

12-17-2007, 12:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
pencil Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 90 OS: xp home	Re: keyboard trouble with 98 reboot managed to enter bios but there is no boot from cd option. I think that this is because the cd rom is contained in a carrier under the compaq note book. I can get the e: prompt but the cd will not boot when i type setup.exe. I do have to be in the win98 directory. Is there a way to use ctrl and some certain numbers to get the \ cheers __________________ you can take a horse to water but a pencil must be lead!

12-18-2007, 01:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: keyboard trouble with 98 reboot Hi again Just to help any other readers who are following this thread, I'm going to add the clarification that when you mention "I can get the e: prompt but the cd will not boot when i type setup.exe" you actually mean to say that "Setup does not start". ____________ If the backslash problem existed only with the notebook's keyboard, I'd figure that it's just a bad key. But since you tried an external keyboard, and had the exact same problem with the backslash key, I'm expecting that a Bios value for the keyboard is not set correctly. What model Compaq is it? (I'll have a look to see if any Bios information is available). In the meantime, if the first external keyboard that you tried was a USB keyboard, try one with a PS/2 connector (if the Compaq has a PS/2 connector for it, that is). This shouldn't be too hard a problem to fix - it's likely a simple setting. . . . Gary __________________