How to Create a Windows 98 Startup Disk from MS-DOS (186300)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q186300

SUMMARY

This article describes how to make a Windows 98 Startup disk from MS-DOS. This may be necessary if you cannot start Windows 98 normally, but you can start your computer to a command prompt and access your hard disk. This may also be necessary if you have a laptop computer that has a CD-ROM drive and a floppy disk drive that are interchangeable.

MORE INFORMATION

To make a Windows 98 Startup disk from MS-DOS, use the following steps:
  1. Restart your computer, press and hold down the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu appears, and then choose Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu.
  2. Insert a blank, formatted floppy disk into drive A.
  3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command:

    cd windows\command
    smartdrv.exe
    bootdisk a:

    NOTE: Smartdrv.exe is not required to create a Windows 98 Startup disk. It is used only to speed the creation of the startup disk.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish making the Startup disk.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kbFAQ kbhowto KB186300
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