Can you replace the config.sys and autoexec.bat file in win98 *update*

[imhotepmp]

btw sorry i know this is kinda off topic, but I figured I would get a quicker response since people seem to be more helpful in the DC forum than OS forum. PLus I need an answer by tonite since Im leaving her house tomm morn.
My girlfriends roommate's computer was getting an invalid system disk error and I tracked it down to the above. It seems that she deleted the two files while rearranging files on her comp. I was wondering is there anyway to get back into windows w/o doing a fresh install? And no she didnt back up anything. I'm thinking that she has to reinstall.

thanks

imhotepmp


***update***

Tried copying the system files for a third time and still I get only the command prompt, unless someone else has any ideas I guess she's going to have to reinstall. thanks

 

[office boy]

You don't even really need them, just REM everything out

 

[Robor]

Win98 doesn't need a config.sys or autoexec.bat so that's not your problem. You could try using a Win98 boot disk and use the "sys" command. I think the syntax would be "sys a: c:" (without the quotes). Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Rob

PS - Tell her to NEVER delete any files from her computer unless she's absolutely sure what she's doing!

 

[imhotepmp]

office boy
REM everything out? What do you mean?

Robor
I created a WIn98 startup disk and then copied the system files but all i get is the splash screen and then it goes to the command prompt. It wont load Win98

 

[Fardringle]

Missing the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files wouldn't cause an Invalid Disk error. However, if the actual system boot files (IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS and COMMAND.COM) are missing, then you would get this error. There are two ways you can fix it: either get a Win98 boot disk and boot from the floppy, then type SYS C:, or you can replace these files manually with good copies. I can send you these files as well as instructions how to replace them if necessary. (If the computer you are posting from is a Win98 machine, then you can just use it to create a boot disk and use that to fix her system...)

 

[Robor]

imhotepmp: After you boot the system with a Win98 startup disk type the following command: sys a: c:

It should say something like "system transferred". Remove the floppy and reboot.

Rob

 

[Fardringle]

Heh. Looks like I took too long writing that last post...was the version of Win98 you used to create the boot disk the same as the version on her computer?

 

[imhotepmp]

<< was the version of Win98 you used to create the boot disk the same as the version on her computer? >>


No, actually it wasnt, I used a win98se boot disk and she has the original win98
could that be why it wouldnt work?

Robor, I did and it said system transferred however on reboot it shows the splash screen and goes to the command prompt

imhotepmp

 

[MWalkden]

Try re-installing over the current instalation, all your personal files should still be ok but you will likely have to re-install all major software (including upgrades and service packs). Something is missing that is needed to load windows. If she has older hardware it could be many things.

Hope this helps

 

[MWalkden]

Yes that would make a diference. Do you have a bootable disk from her version?

 

[imhotepmp]

no actually I dont...hmmm what else to do?

imhotepmp

 

[MWalkden]

You can try here:
Boot Disk

 

[MWalkden]

Or you could try going to the c:\windows\command folder and run the sys command from there.

 

[imhotepmp]

thanks Mwalkden

but still a no go.. although the boot disk is prety thrifty, nice interface and all.

imhtoepmp

 

[divide by zero]

Hang on a sec, let me compare the sys files between my HD and a boot floppy... (Win98 SE)

 

[Ken g6]

A long shot: if you want to get into Windows once, go to the c:\windows folder at the command prompt and run &quot;win&quot;. It worked in Win95; it should in 98. /me crosses fingers

If that doesn't work, you probably do need to reinstall Windows. I believe you can do that at the command prompt if you have a CD-ROM driver for DOS. Or if you can boot off the CD.

Good luck.

 

[divide by zero]

There seems to be a SYSTEM.1ST 617k file on C:\ that isn't on the floppy. Could it be looking for this to boot to windows instead of the command prompt? Try copying that file from the install CD, if you can.

Question for Windows whizzes, if yhou save the register before you reinstall and then restore the register, will all your apps/patches/etc be found again w/o having to reinstall them?

 

[imhotepmp]

thanks for the help guys, but I got to wait til the morning when she gets back. I think I tried to start win, but I wasnt in the windows directory.


imhotepmp

 

[Wellcky]

Try booting from ROM drive, BIOS baby BIOS?