operating system not installed

[glarson52]

I was trying to reinstall windows 98 se and got part way through when the computer froze up. I had to do a cold reboot. After the computer finished the POST, a message came on "operating system not installed" (or words to that effect, I'm not at home and am not sure those were the exact words}. Pressing any key just repeated the message. The install did get past the scandisk part and reported the HD as OK. I tried the win 98 boot floopy but the computer just ignored it and came up with the same thing. I can access the BIOS setup but that seems to be all.

 

[wolluf]

Is the hard drive detected in the bios?

Is the machine set to boot from floppy first? (is floppy drive defintely working).

How did you start the reinstall originally?

 

[masterchicker]

I believe you have to reinstall windows again. You have to make your floppy start-up disk work. Check the boot sequence in BIOS if floop disk seeking is enabled and if the floppy is first on the list.

 

[hcetrepus]

Not to steal any thinder from the original poster, but I'l post this here as I have a similar issue.

I was called to work on a WinME machine that was displaying the message upon powering up

"Operating System Not found"

I went into he BIOS and the HDD was the first device listed in the boot order. I again tried a few more times to boot to the HDD successfully. Nada. Each time going back into the BIOS. After the fourth or fifth attempt, I went itno the BIOS and disabled the Other devices mentioned in the boot entirely. STILL, nothing.
I then removed power from the other devices (ROM's, FDD) altogether and it booted to the HDD, and Windows loaded.

After backing up the vital data, I reapplied power to the other drives and Windows booted normally. @0-30 mins in, while installing Google toolbar (for pop ups) I got a blue screen that said

Cannot write to disk C:

I pressed the anykey and it returned to windows. It was now running very sluggish. At this point all spyware had been removed and Mcaffee stinger reported a clean disk.

I received a call 2 weeks later and they are getting the OS not found upon bootup.

I have a couple ideas, but hope to see some confirmation. Any ideas?

Maybe this will help both of us!

 

[wolluf]

1. Check the IDE connection from Hard drive to mobo (both ends securely attacted, and not damaged) - and drive jumpers

2. Run the drive manufacturer's diagnostic utility (usually available from website).

3. Try the drive on the other (secondary) IDE connection (and/or in another machine - probably not feasible)

Something is obviously failing - the drive, the connection, the IDE controller, the mobo/machine.

 

[TekTippy4U]

glarson52;
MS says that when that happens during install, you're supposed to power down (using the On/Off - press and hold for 4 sec if necessary) - wait 20 sec, and then power up to continue with the install. There's most likely a hardware conflict and Win setup creates a C:\Detcrash.log file and resumes from point of failure. Now things may not go as MS plans always, but give it a shot. You should be able to boot from a Startup floppy (set floppy as stated by others)and be able to view the Detcrash.log file and see whats causing the conflict perhaps.
Boot to a Command Prompt and at C:\
type EDIT DETCRASH.LOG to view.
If using an OEM CD - see FAQ615-5157

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs

 

[TekTippy4U]

just remembered;
Disable any Anti-Virus BIOS Protection

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
Backup All Important Data/Docs