I've just formatted the C:\ on my P133 Windows 95 machine with Award v4.51PG bios. Never formatted before but have successfully reinstalled Windows in the past. My problem is that I can't reinstall windows. I've set the bios to boot from CD first, but get an error message:
"Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM: Failure...
Invalid system disk
Replace the disk, and then press any key"
The CD I'm using is the official MS Windows 95 (OSR1) disk that come with the machine, as I say it has successfully been used to reinstall Win before so surely it should be up to a clean install..?
Is it looking for the right CD drive? When the machine was new the CD was D:\ but is now H:\ due to a partitioned HDD having been added. The bios doesnt specify drive letter when choosing the boot sequence, just offers A, C, CDROM. In the 'switch on checks' it sees the 2nd HDD, and recognises the CD drive.

I also have an Athlon XP1900 system (before anyone starts the "she needs more coal guv'" comments ) so could potentially use that somehow, would an alternative bios be likely to help?

Need to fix the old machine, preferably without any expendature (sp?) or too much hassle. Any advice much appreciated

Ben

 

Could be wrong but I didn't think 95 CDs were bootable. Have you booted from it before or was it just used to run setup and re-install.
If it's not bootable then boot floppy with CD drivers on is the way to go. Try www.bootdisk.com if you haven't got one.

Does it access the CD as you boot?

 

Right, the Windows 95 disk isn't bootable so I have to use a boot disk. When I try that it says:
"The following file is missing or corrupted: HIMEM.SYS
There is an error in your CONFIG.SYS file on line 4"

Again, advice/somewhere to download the contents of a Windows 95 OSR1 bootdisk from would be good.

 

Silent Monkey - Answering my questions before I ask them is just showing off.

 

A 98 bootdisk would be better (OSR2) as it has generic "auto-detect" CD drivers which work with 90% of drives. A 95 one you'll need to have the specific CD drivers (possibly)

The answer to the next question is £25

 

Windows is now installing...

Many thanks to Silent Monkey, Comedy_Gaz (via phone), and the wonderous Scoobynet: problem fixed within 30 minutes

And no further questions were required SM - you'll have to make your fortune some other way

 

And I felt sure you were about to ask how much I would sell you my MY01 for Oh well I guess I'll just have to keep it then.