invalid system disc????

jayce8 · 01-05-2008, 02:38 PM

I am trying to put windows 95 on a computer that i got from work that they wiped clean. I just want this to work so that my kids will leave my laptop alone. When I go to the boot menu and try to run the cd from the cd drive i get a message that says that it is an invalid system disc. is there something that i need to do before i can re-install windows 95 on to this computer?? the computer is a Dell.

Mon · 01-05-2008, 03:06 PM

u need to boot from the cd

put the windows cd in the top cd drive if there are 2 cd drives
restart and tap F12 when u see Dell logo
in boot device menu select the cd/dvd option...onboard or usb cdrom or ide cdrom
then keep tapping enter key

then follow the prompts

Geekgirl · 01-05-2008, 04:23 PM

http://www.pcguide.com/proc/sw/w95inst-c.html

**OldGrayGary** · 01-06-2008, 01:12 AM

Hi all

quick note - most Win95 CDs are not bootable.

The article GeekGirl gave the link to should give all the advice needed to get things started, but I'm not sure it provides a link to where you could obtain a bootable Win95 floppy diskette (which is what you need to start the computer, load drivers for the CD-drive, and start setup from the Win95 CD).

You can find bootable Win95 diskettes at --- http://www.bootdisk.com --- they are free-of-charge (you are just booting into DOS, after all).
__________________

Another quick note --- exactly how old is this computer? Was Windows 95 the original operating system on it? If so, it is well beyond it's expected "computer life-span", and you are fortunate indeed if the hardware still works at all. If the Dell did not originally have Win95 installed, but something newer - what OS was the original?

Also -- there is next to no chance that a Windows 95 PC can be securely connected to the Internet (no currently updated antivirus software supports Win95) = nor is there much chance that Windows 95 will be able to run most of the software authored in the last six or seven years.

If the hardware is still in working condition, is from the 1995 timeframe, and you wish for the kids to go onto the Internet with it = a reasonable alternative is to find an older version of Linux, and install that on the PC. Most Linux 'distros' have decent built-in games, educational software, and office programs, and can securely enough browse the Internet - even on older computers.

Best of luck!
. . . Gary

hitech · 01-07-2008, 03:04 PM

use a 98 or me boot disk so it will load cd drivers

01-05-2008, 02:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
jayce8 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 OS: win95	invalid system disc???? I am trying to put windows 95 on a computer that i got from work that they wiped clean. I just want this to work so that my kids will leave my laptop alone. When I go to the boot menu and try to run the cd from the cd drive i get a message that says that it is an invalid system disc. is there something that i need to do before i can re-install windows 95 on to this computer?? the computer is a Dell.

01-05-2008, 03:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mon Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 142 OS: xp	Re: invalid system disc???? u need to boot from the cd put the windows cd in the top cd drive if there are 2 cd drives restart and tap F12 when u see Dell logo in boot device menu select the cd/dvd option...onboard or usb cdrom or ide cdrom then keep tapping enter key then follow the prompts

01-05-2008, 04:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Geekgirl Assistant Manager, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Six-burgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 14,171 OS: XP Home SP3/XP Pro SP3/Vista Ultimate SP2/Windows 7 Professional	Re: invalid system disc???? http://www.pcguide.com/proc/sw/w95inst-c.html __________________ Compare NOD32 to your current antivirus and anti-spyware solution, HERE How to back up and restore the registry in Windows XP and Windows Vista Or Windows 7 How to back up and restore the registry in Windows 98/ ME / NT 4.0 / 2000 I DO NOT ACCEPT EMAILS AND WILL NOT REPLY TO THEM !!!!! TSF DOES NOT SUPPORT ASSISTANCE THROUGH EMAIL OR PRIVATE MESSAGES, PLEASE KEEP ALL QUESTIONS IN THE OPEN FORUM *The Pittsburgh Steelers - 6 X Superbowl Champions !!!!!!!* *The Pittsburgh Penguins - 2009 Stanley Cup Champions !!!!!!!*

01-06-2008, 01:12 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: invalid system disc???? Hi all quick note - most Win95 CDs are not bootable. The article GeekGirl gave the link to should give all the advice needed to get things started, but I'm not sure it provides a link to where you could obtain a bootable Win95 floppy diskette (which is what you need to start the computer, load drivers for the CD-drive, and start setup from the Win95 CD). You can find bootable Win95 diskettes at --- http://www.bootdisk.com --- they are free-of-charge (you are just booting into DOS, after all). __________________ Another quick note --- exactly how old is this computer? Was Windows 95 the original operating system on it? If so, it is well beyond it's expected "computer life-span", and you are fortunate indeed if the hardware still works at all. If the Dell did not originally have Win95 installed, but something newer - what OS was the original? Also -- there is next to no chance that a Windows 95 PC can be securely connected to the Internet (no currently updated antivirus software supports Win95) = nor is there much chance that Windows 95 will be able to run most of the software authored in the last six or seven years. If the hardware is still in working condition, is from the 1995 timeframe, and you wish for the kids to go onto the Internet with it = a reasonable alternative is to find an older version of Linux, and install that on the PC. Most Linux 'distros' have decent built-in games, educational software, and office programs, and can securely enough browse the Internet - even on older computers. Best of luck! . . . Gary __________________

01-07-2008, 03:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
hitech Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 613 OS: Windows	Re: invalid system disc???? use a 98 or me boot disk so it will load cd drivers