No operating system

[HCFarmer]

During boot, my computer responded with a prompt to insert system disk. This was the first time this has ever happened, so I ignored it and hit ENTER. It then responded NO OS. So I decided to hit CTR+ALT+DEL and try a reboot. Same thing happened. I tried to boot a couple more times, making sure that the POST went OK, and the Hard drives were detected. I then checked the BIOS, and everything looked normal, so I decided to try and re install the OS. I put the 98SE CD in and tried to boot, and this time I get my boot menu. I have a dual boot system with 98SE on Drive C and Mandrake 10 on Drive D. When I selected Windows, it did the same thing again. I then booted in Linux, and everything went fine. I then shut down and tried another boot to 98, but no luck. Finally, I booted into Linux and used it to look at my C Drive, and noticed that the folder for Windows was not there. All the other files and folders were there, just not Windows.

Here is the info on my machine

Abit BD 7 Mobo
2.4 Ghz (100) P5
1 gig Ram
LG CD Burner (Master)
Creative 54X CD ROM (Slave)
WD 80 Gig Caviar (Master with 98)
WD 60 Gig Caviar (Slave partitioned into 30s for FAT32 and Linux)
Abit Siluro AGP card
400 Watt Power Supply

So far I've been told that its probably an HD error, and the FAT table is corrupt. Maybe, but all my other files and folders are intact, so I'm hesitant to believe it. Also, the MBR must be intact if it can find LILO for the boot menu, and boot into Linux.

The other problem is that I can't get it to start the 98SE CD at boot. It keeps going to LILO. I've set the boot order in BIOS, but no luck. I've even disabled 2nd and 3rd boot devices, and kept the CD ROM and the only boot device but with no luck. I know the CD ROM works, and I think the 98 CD is good, as Linux sees it just fine.

One other question I had was if it was due to some malicious act like someone un installing the OS, and I have to go with XP, will all my older 98 files and apps be saved by XP when it is installed?

 

[Nothinman]

Are you sure that you're 98SE disc is bootable?

And no, if the Windows directory is missing the registry is gone so the XP installer won't have any way to know what apps were installed. The files will still be on the drive, along with your data, but you'll probably have to reinstall most of them.

 

[HCFarmer]

For got about 98 not being bootable. Made a boot CD to get it on its feet, and look at the drive in question a little closer. I just hope the registry is intact. If the worse is true, and the OS was un installed, I remembered I have a 6 month old Image of the C Drive. I can use it to piece things back together.