[dubam]

On my windows 98 computer, when I start up, I get the following message:
non-system disk or disk error replace and strike any key when ready.

The problem, there is no disk in the drive. I have tried, restartingand putting a disk in and taking it out. During start up the light blinks on the A drive and you can hear it attempting to read a disk. The question is will I need to replace the A drive, or can I just remove it and use an external option like I use on my windows XP? (that thing that replaced disks, I just don't remember what it's called. Also, being relatively new to computers, am I right in assuming that removing the A drive is a simple matter. ( unplug, unscrew) Thanks

I edited the last bit to size 7 Big innit

Edited by Keith, 09 May 2006 - 01:25 AM.

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Boot the PC and keep tapping the delete key until it enters set up, set the boot order to hard drive, CD ROM and put A as the last device, look for floppy boot seek and disable that, press F10 to save, type Y to confirm, press enter to reboot

[Retired Tech]

Boot the PC and keep tapping the delete key until it enters set up, set the boot order to hard drive, CD ROM and put A as the last device, look for floppy boot seek and disable that, press F10 to save, type Y to confirm, press enter to reboot

[dubam]

Okay, that didn't work, when I got to the set up screen this is what was listed.

under system:
PCI BUS MASTER-ENABLED
SYSTEM POST-FAST
POWER MANAGEMENT-ENABLED
SETUP PASSWORD
MEMORY REPORTING-DISABLED

under storage:
DISKETTE A- SIZE OF DISK (RIGHT SIZE WAS LISTED)
DISKETTE B- NOT INSTALLED
SELECT OP SYSTEM TYPE-DOS OR DOS & WINDOWS
ENHANCED IDE-ENABLED
ULTRA 33 IDE-DISABLED
PRIMARY IDE-ENABLED

I tried, changing the Diskette A to not installed, hoping it would bypass it, but it didn't. Oh, and by the way, I couldn't use the delete key to get to the start up window. I had to use F10 or F11, I don't remember which, to get to the setup window.
I'm at a loss at what to try next. If I could get to the desktop, I could use the compact recovery to re install windows. I don't have the disks or CD for windows 98 , but COMPAQ has a the quick restore on the computer. How would I get the computer to start in DOS mode, maybe there is something I could so with a DOS command? maybe tell it to run a specific program.

[Retired Tech]

There must be more screens