It sounds like your problem is related to the Window 98 operating system itself.  You are missing some files on your hard drive that Windows 98 can not find them during boot up.  If you can boot into MS-DOS then check your Windows 98 partition to see if the missing files are indeed missing.  You can do a directory search in DOS by typing the following at the command prompt:

dir xxxx.xxx /s

XXXX.XXX being the name of the file you are looking for such as: dir win.com /s   After typing the command just press Enter and your Windows 98 partition will then be search and it will report if it is there and where it is located.  You can also use wildcards in the directory search such as:  dir win.* /s   and all close hits will be reported as well as their location.  If the files are indeed missing then you can either restore those files from backup or re-install Windows.  The main file to replace is the win.com file as this file will at least get Window backup and running.  If you know someone else that is using Windows 98 you could just have them transfer the win.com file to a floppy for you and once received, you can then copy it into your C:\WINDOWS directory on your hard drive.  The other mentioned files can then be restored by re-installing your sound card and it's software.

"1) When you say from "backup," do you mean from someone else's file [not an option]?"

If you don't have a backup then see if someone you know has Windows 98 and will copy the win.com file onto a floppy for you.  This is the main file needed to get Windows 98 up and running.

 "2) Or can I extract from the Win98 CD?"

It should be on the Windows 98 CD although to tell you the truth I never had the occasion to extract a file from the CD so I really don't know how.  Hopefully someone else that has a little more knowledge can answer this one.  Otherwise check out this Microsoft Knowledge Base article regarding the extracting of the win.com file at this link here.

"3) Would this mean just reinstalling my Turtle Beach CDs once Win98 is up and running?"

Yes, re-installing your Turtle Beach CD should re-install the drivers, re-install the sound card software and update your autoexec.bat and config.sys with the sound card information to load at startup.

"4) But how do I ensure that it will install on C ]I'm terrified of it messing up my XP installation on G]?"

Re-installing Windows might be a better option.  Since you are missing some files, chances are there maybe more files missing too.  Unfortunately I am not a Windows XP user so I can't advise you on the proper steps of doing so on a dual boot system.

Majestic:

Thanks.

>> If the files are indeed missing then you can either restore those files from backup or re-install Windows. 

1) When you say from "backup," do you mean from someone else's file [not an option]?

2) Or can I extract from the Win98 CD?

>>>The other mentioned files can then be restored by re-installing your sound card and it's software.

3) Would this mean just reinstalling my Turtle Beach CDs once Win98 is up and running?

It sounds like reinstalling Win98 on C might be easier. If I went that route, I am assuming I go to syten setup and set it to boot from CD, put the CD in the CD tray and install.

4) But how do I ensure that it will install on C ]I'm terrified of it messing up my XP installation on G]?

David

 

Majestic:

Hopefully I can find someone to email me the win.com file.

When you say "startup" disk, is this the same as the MS "boot disk"?

As far as relaoding Win98, my main question is how to ensure that it loads on my C: drive [and not my G:, which has XP.

Thanks.

David

"Hopefully I can find someone to email me the win.com file"

I can e-mail you the file, but from past discussions I believe you have Windows 98 where as I have Windows 98SE.  The win.com file maybe different between those two versions.

"When you say "startup" disk, is this the same as the MS "boot disk"?"

I don't recall mentioning a "startup disk," but that Microsoft Knowledge Base article did.   A startup disk is different than a boot disk as the startup disk will also contain the emergency drivers needed to support the CD drive.  A boot disk just contains the MS-DOS operating system and nothing else.  The link here explains the differences between the two.   This link here is to Bootdisk.com and their web page where you can download the file to create a boot disk with CD support.  Otherwise here is a link to the Ultimate Boot disk which will allow you to not only boot up, but fix and repair Windows. 

majestic:

You are correct--It was on the MS KB that I saw the "startup" disk reference and was confused as to whether it was the same as "boot disk." I came across the bootdisk link you supplied in a google search, but the Ultimate Boot Disk link you supplied might be just the ticket.

I'd much prefer to just repair my Win98 installation if @ all possible. Thanks!

majestic:

If I'm understanding what I have read thus far, the UBD might not be the answer, as it does not support OEM versions of OS's nor updated BIOS versions @ all.

You're correct that I've got Win98 FE.

If I cannot find a copy of the Win98 FE win.com file a reinstall may be required.

Thanks.

The OEM version might be a problem, but you don't know unless you give it a try.  With my XPS T it came with a Microsoft CD with Windows 98SE on it.  The required setup.exe file that the Ultimate Boot Disk needs in on the CD.

Here is a Dell FAQ from the forum here regarding the re-installation of Windows 98.  You would be interested in refreshing the OS option.  This might help you out.

majestic: Yup, my XPS T came with an MS branded Win98 CD, which you indicate the UBD would need to find the setup.exe.

However, one of two options in that DellFAQ seem to fit: You recommended the 2nd one shown below [Refresh]. Should I try that and if it doesn't work, try the "Recover" option?

One really stupid questions [it seems what different disks, etc., are called always gets me: the "RESOURCE/OPERATING SYSTEM CD and the MS branded Win98 CD that came with my machine are one and the same, correct???

Thanks for your help [and your patience!!!]--dg


- Recover Drivers & Install Files
This option simply recovers the Windows 9x native drivers to the hard drive. This overwrites the CAB files and the INF files that are part of the Windows 9x installation but does not delete any of the registry files or any third-party drivers added to the system. It does not reinstall your operating system nor provide a means to reinstall, it simply replaces any of the native Windows 9x files that may have been deleted or corrupted.

- Refresh the Operating System (dirty install)
This will reinstall the operating system without messing with your files or drivers.

The refresh option should do the trick.  Your only intent is to replace the missing win.com file and any other system files that became corrupted or deleted. 

As far as the CDs, my XPS T came with the MS branded Win98SE CD and the Dell Resource CD.  There is no mention of the OS being included on the Resource CD though.  This link here is for a Dell Knowledge Base article concerning recovery CDs.  It may or may not apply to your system, but I thought I would pass it along.

I was replying remotely earlier today, but now that I've got everything in front of me, my system came with:

MS Win 98 CD

Dell Dimension Resource CD

MS Boot Disk [floppy]

Dell HD Diagnostics asnd Ultilities [floppy]

Dell Diagnostics V 4.03A [floppy]

I'm assuming that for the refresh option all I'll need is the Win98 CD.

I am hoping [praying, actually] that once I'm in setup with the CD in the drive it'll know to go straight for the C drive where Win98 is [and NOT the G: drive where my pristine XP install resides] or that I'll get an option to choose...

Thanks

 

 

 

Wanted to do the Refresh the OS procedure described above and after setting the ATAPI CD-ROM as first boot device I go a black screen with

Disk I/O error

Replace disk and press any key to continue.

[For the record I'm using the CD-ROM that I used to install XP on my G drive, that is, not my other CD, which is my burner.]

I'm stumped.

 

Message Edited by dg27 on 08-02-2004 04:28 PM

Give it a try and see if the boot disk installs support for the CD drive.  Worst case scenario is if the boot disk doesn't include the CD drive support then you will have to reboot to exit.  If it does support the CD drive then manually run the Windows 98 setup.exe program from the CD.

Try booting off of the Dell Resource CD.  If it does boot then choose the option that includes CD drive support.  Once the machine is booted then switch to the Windows OS CD and manually run the setup.exe at the command prompt.  The Windows Installation program will then run.

Regarding your concerns of the Windows 98 installation possibly trashing your XP install.... I would try posting a question over in the Software - Windows XP forum regarding your concerns.  Possibly someone more familiar with the XP OS can answer your questions about re-installing Windows 98 on a dual boot system safely.

majestic: Thanks.

I'll try the Dell Resource CD this afternoon. [I am curious about the Microsoft Boot Disk [floppy] and whether that would would help though.]

DG