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What's New for the Windows 98 Startup Disk?
The Startup Disk has changed significantly for Windows 98. The following
items are new for Windows 98.
- MULTI-CONFIG START MENU
- REAL-MODE CD-ROM DRIVERS
- EBD.CAB FILE
- RAMDRIVE
- WINDOWS 98 STARTUP PROBLEMS
- USING THE TOOLS AVAILABLE ON THE STARTUP DISK
MULTI-CONFIG START MENU
=======================
If you boot your computer using the new Windows 98 Startup Disk, a boot menu
appears allowing you the option to load drivers for the most common CD-Rom
drives or perform a normal clean boot.
After you make your selection, the Config.sys file loads the appropriate
CD-ROM driver (if selected) and then loads a 2MB RAMDrive. The RAMDrive is
used to store all the diagnostic tools necessary to troubleshoot the most
common problems.
NOTE: The RAMdrive may cause your CD-Rom to pushed back 1 drive letter. If your
CD-Rom is usually drive D:, it will now be Drive E:.
REAL-MODE CD-ROM SUPPORT
========================
The Windows 98 Statup Disk includes generic ATAPI IDE & SCSI CD-ROM drivers
that allow your CD-ROM to function at Dos when the Windows 98 GUI is not
available.
NOTE: Not all CD-Rom drives are supported. If your CD-Rom drive does not
function with these drivers, you must use the drivers that came with your
CD-Rom drive.
EBD.CAB FILE
============
The Ebd.cab file is a compressed file whose contents are extracted to the
Ramdrive during the startup process. The table below identifies the files
in the Ebd.cab file.
File Function
Attrib.exe Add or remove file attributes
Chkdsk.exe A simpler and smaller disk status tool
Debug.exe Debugging utility
Edit.com Real-mode emergency text editor
Ext.exe New, simple file extract utility
Format.com Disk format tool
Mscdex.exe Microsoft CD-ROM file extension for MS-DOS
Scandisk.exe Disk status tool
Scandisk.ini Disk status tool configuration file
Sys.com Transfers system files and make disk bootable
Uninstal.exe A tool to remove Windows 98 from the system and return the
system to its previous state
CREATING A RAMDRIVE
===================
The RAMDrive is created during the processing of the Config.sys file and is
2MB in size. The Ramdrive is created using system RAM to emulate a physical
Hard Disk. Without creating the RAMdrive, we would not have enough space on
a single 1.44 meg floppy disk to contain all the diagnostic tools as well
as the CD-Rom drivers.
WARNING: Since the RAMDrive is created during the processing of the Config.sys file
and uses System RAM, it is only temporary. It will disappear if you restart
your computer normally.
LIST OF ALL COMPONENTS ON THE EBD
=================================
The following table describes the function of each file copied to the EBD.
File Function
Aspi2dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi4dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi8dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi8u2.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspicd.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Autoexec.bat Startup batch file
Btcdrom.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Btdosm.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Command.com Command interpreter
Config.sys Loads the device drivers
Drvspace.bin Microsoft DriveSpace compression driver
Ebd.cab Cab file containing extract utilities
Ebd.sys File identifying the ESD
Extract.exe File to expand the Ebd.cab file
Fdisk.exe Disk partition tool
Findramd.exe Utility to find the RAMDrive during startup
Flashpt.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Himem.sys XMS Memory Manager
Io.sys System boot file
Msdos.sys Boot option information (paths, multiboot, and so on)
Oakcdrom.sys Generic device driver for ATAPI CD-ROM drives
Ramdrive.sys Creates a Ramdrive during startup
Setramd.bat Searches for first available drive to be a Ramdrive
WINDOWS 98 STARTUP PROBLEMS
===========================
This section includes some common troubleshooting steps that can be used
when it's necessary to use the Windows 98 Startup Disk. These steps are
designed to get the user at least into Safe-Mode where you have access
to Windows 98 extensive HELP system to further troubleshoot any issues.
Starting Your Computer in Safe Mode
-----------------------------------
There are several reasons why Windows 98 may fail
to start properly. The first step in troubleshooting
is to try starting your computer in Safe Mode. If
Safe Mode works, you can then use the extensive Help
system and troubleshooters located in the Start
menu/Help option.
>>>To start your computer in Safe Mode:
1. Remove the Startup Disk and restart your computer.
After the computer restarts but before Windows begins
to load, hold down the CTRL key until the Microsoft
Windows 98 Startup Menu appears. (If you are running
Windows 95, press the F8 key at the "Starting
Windows 95" prompt.)
2. From the Startup menu, select Safe Mode.
If you can start your computer in Safe Mode, use
Windows 98 Help to resolve your original issue.
Setup Fails and the Computer Will Not Start
-------------------------------------------
There are a few common reasons why Windows 98 Setup
may fail to complete successfully. The following
section explains what you can do to recover from
these situations. For more information on other
Setup problems, see the Setup.txt file in the
Win98 folder of your Windows 98 CD or Setup Disk #1.
If you encounter any of these error messages while
running Setup:
* Invalid System Disk
* Incorrect MS-DOS Version
* Missing or Corrupted Command.com
* Compression Driver errors
It is likely that your computer's startup drive may
need updated system files. You can use the SYS command
to copy the needed files to your computer.
NOTE: If you are currently loading compression software,
you will need to know