Can't get passed C: prompt

[Debsie45]

Hello,

I reformatted a hard drive on a Compaq, model 5240. First I received an invalid system disk message. I used the start up disk and copied files to C. Now I am at the C prompt, I can't access the CD-Rom drive to install Windows 98. CD-Rom will just not open. Now I am stuck at the C prompt and don't know where to go from here. Pleaseeeee help. Thanks.

[Cricket]

Hi Debsie45,

Are you using the Compaq restore CD or are you trying to use a regular Win98 installation CD? I'm not certain, but I think you'll have an easier time if you are using the Compaq restore CD.

If you are trying to use a Win98 installation CD, you need a Win98 setup diskette that has the generic CD-ROM drivers installed on it so you can access the CD-ROM drive.

You can make a nice setup/boot floppy using the Win98 CD on a working computer with Win98. Put in your Win98 CD and seek out \tools\mtsutil\fat32ebd\fat32ebd.exe and double click on the fat32ebd.exe file. It will prompt you for a floppy diskette, insert one and follow the instructions.

Use this floppy to install Win98. Insert the floppy into the Compaq and start the computer. When prompted, choose to start with CD-ROM support. If the hard drive is partitioned and formatted already, you can just switch to the CD-ROM drive (d:, e: or whatever drive letter it's been assigned) and type "setup" and hit Enter. The Win98 installer will start up and take you through the installation.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to install Win98 though...Compaq's are very proprietary and the Win98 installation may not be successful. You might have to go with the Compaq restore CD instead.

Cricket