windows 98boot prob

[goretsky Supervisor]

Hello,

Try using the SYS command before running FDISK.

It may only be that the operating system volume's boot sector is corrupt or is missing its system files. If that is the case, then fixing it should get your friend's point of sale machine up and running and unnecessary to replace the master boot record with the FDISK command. I am assuming this computer is an older one, and it is probably best not to try performing such operations as replacing the master boot record, as there's always a small amount of risk performing such operations.

After booting from a Microsoft Windows 98 system bootable floppy diskette, issue the "SYS C:" command. This will refresh the code in the boot sector code, as well as replace the IO.SYS, COMMAND.COM and, I believe, the MSDOS.SYS files, which should then allow the computer to start MS-DOS 7.0 and then Windows 98 on top of that.

When the computer is finished with the SYS command, remove the floppy diskette from the A: drive and reboot. At this point, three outcomes are likely:

1. The computer boots right up into Microsoft Windows 98 and the problem is solved.
   
2. The computer boots into MS-DOS 7.0, in which case you may be able to start Microsoft Windows 98 by typing "WIN.COM" at the Command Prompt.
   
3. The computer still reports an operating system cannot be found, at which point ou would want to try starting it from the Microsoft Windows 98 bootable floppy diskette and then issue the "FDISK /MBR" command at the Command Prompt.
   

If problems persist, you may wish to speak to the company which services the point of sale terminal and see what steps have to be taken to get the computer up and running with its software.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

[Raa]

The problem is most likely the msdos.sys file.

I know the problem you're having, and have struck it before, many many years ago.

Doing the above ^ might be able to solve your problem, post back and lets hear how you went.