I can't start my computer, please help.

My computer (which is not the one I am using to write this) won't start up. I just got from a friend who got a new computer. It is a 95. What happens is it begins to start up. When it says "Press Delete to enter SETUP" it waits a secons and the "Press Delete to enter SETUP" changes to "Wait... "
Then it goes throught the stuff for the info on the computer. Then it says "Loading Boot Record from IDE-0..OK" Then it skips a few lines and says "Invalid System Disk
Replace the disk, then press any key" If I press a key, it repeats that. I have no disk in any drive and I need some help please.

 

maddog2000,

Welcome to the board! Have you checked all the connections inside the case? That is what I would look at first.

Mike

 

Yes, I took a look inside. All cords go somewhere. I even tried switching some wires, and strangely the same thing happened except I accidently turned off the cooling fan, but that is aside from the point. I don't have the startup disk, and knowing my friend, he probably doesn't either.

 

Go to Bootdisk, download a file for 95 OEM. On the computer you are on now, put a floppy into the drive, then double click the file. This will make a boot floppy. Take out the floppy and look on the back of the floppy and slide the little tab over so that you can see through both holes. This write protects it.
Put the floppy into 95 computer and turn it on. Do these commands at the A:\>;
sys a: c:
fdisk /mbr
This transfers system files and repairs the Master Boot Record on the drive. Note: the second command appears to do nothing if done correctly. Take out floppy and reboot.
If you get a C:\> or C:\Windows> do this command.
scandisk /surface
This will check the drive for errors.
If windows boots up instead, use scandisk in windows.
If any error messages appears, post them here.

 

markp62, is there any way I can do this with a cd drive (the computer I am using right now is a Mac and does not have a floppy drive and I don't have another windows, but tommorow I guess I can go to a neigbor/friend's house and do it on his) Thanks

 

I do not think the file will run on a Mac, the best the CD can do is allow you to take the file with you. It will work on any windows based computer.

 

Alright, I'll go to my neighbor's house a.s.a.p. and download, put it on a floppy and fix the computer. Thank you, I will notifie it here if it works.

 

Make sure your hard drive is jumpered right. If it's on the first IDE thing, it needs to be set as the master drive.