Invalid system disk

[kiehn]

We've had numberous problems with our system freezing, restarting, constantly restoring the registry, etc. Now when I start it I get the blue HP screen and following a message stating invalid system disk. So I booted up with the boot up disk and decided to fdisk, format and reinstall. When it was
finished nothing happened. I tried booting up again to check the C dir and it told me it didn't exist. So I restarted and the same message invalid system disk. I unplugged the hard drive and again got the same message, invalid system disk. Would I be correct to assume the hard drive is bad???
Thanks kiehn

 

[mechBgon]

That could be, or maybe Windows is just having a bad day. Do you have a standard Windows disc, or a HP-specific restoration disc? Also, what version of Windows (98/2000/XP)?

 

[spanky]

u successfully reinstalled windows and upon reboot, u get the invalid system disk error messege?

btw, is c: your active partition?

 

[kiehn]

First I should say the OS is win98se HP edition. When I reinstalled the HP CD I watched all
the files spinning down the screen as they usually have in the past, but this time it did not
say please remove cd and reboot, there was no repsonse at all and I tried it twice. As far
as the invalid system disk error message I'm not sure I saw it before I tried to reinstall but I do
remember I wasn't getting anything more than the blue HP insignia screen when the computer was turned on so thats why I formated and tried to reinstall. When I did boot with the startup disk
and checked the c: dir, I believe it say there were no fixed drives available. I really hope it is the hard drive because Ive already ordered one. Current hard drive: Quantum fireball CR 6.4, 3.5, Inerface ata/4. ultra ata/66 I ordered a used Quantum fireball 10.2, EIDE, 3.5 series, so I hope it fits and I'll be able to reinstall the OS without any problems.
Thanks again, kiehn