MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001

Now when you boot from startup disk, your real-mode CD ROM driver will automatically be installed, allowing you to read CD in DOS.

=> Copy These Special Files to Your Startup Disk

On all Windows 9x/Me systems you should copy important configuration files system.dat and user.dat from your Windows folder to your startup disk. First make sure your system is configured to show hidden files: In Windows Explorer View menu select View tab and check Show All Files radio button.

The file system.dat is a database for your computer's hardware. The file user.dat is a database for user settings. These two files combine to form elusive Windows Registry.

The configuration files config.sys, autoexec.bat (directly under C:), win.ini and system.ini (in Windows folder) are legacy files for compatiblility with Windows 3.1. They are not required for Windows 95 and higher, but if you find them on your computer it may be because you are running some older 16 bit software. If you find any of them on your computer, place a copy on your startup floppy disk.

=> Test Your Startup Disk

When you have completed your Startup Disk, you should test it. To do that, restart your computer with floppy disk in drive. After your computer starts, you should end up with A: prompt on screen. If it doesn't work, check boot order configuration in your computers BIOS setup. Make sure that floppy drive is first boot device.

Windows 98 displays a menu allowing you to select to start with or without CD support. It then creates a RAM drive and assigns it first avalable drive letter. Therefore, drive designation of your CD ROM drive may be different. The same files available on a Windows 95 startup disk are then expanded to RAM drive.

Place any CD ROM disc in your CD ROM drive and type in D: (or whatever letter is assigned to your CD drive). You should get D: prompt. If you get D: prompt, type in DIR. You should get a list of contents of CD in drive.

If your Startup disk worked okay, you now have capability to start computer from floppy drive in DOS mode. You may not totally understand how to use files on your Startup Disk to restore your computer, but a technician who helps restore your computer will be glad you saved them. ---------------------------------------------------------- Resource Box: Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to bucarotechelp-subscribe@topica.com ----------------------------------------------------------