I am getting conflicting advice on how to set the boot sequence in CMOS. I am attempting to do a clean install of Win98SE. One guy, from whom I have always gotten excellent advice says to set boot sequence to 1) A: 2) C: 3) CD ROM
and he says to never change it. He says to never put the CD ROM in front of the HDD. This boot sequence works fine until Win98 CD starts loading files and gets to the first reboot. I get a message that says:

No PT
Insert disk
Press any key

Since the CD is in, I guess it wants me to insert floppy -- boot disk.
I have only been able to find one set of instructions on how to perform this process successfully at
http://www.hexff.com/win98_install.html
His instructions have beem excellent up to this point. However, he says to set C: drive as the Primary device on the Master channel. Does this mean to set Hard drive as first in the boot sequence? He gives no indication as to what should follow next, Floppy or CD ROM.
BTW, Win98 install is not for this machine. It is for Compaq Deskpro 6000 6266MMX with 266 PenII and 128MB RAM and 40GB 7200 RPM HDD.
Any help appreciated.

Download a W98SE boot floppy image from www.bootdisk.com to create a boot floppy. Set BIOS to boot from floppy as first device and boot with floppy, then proceed to fdisk / format which will remove all data from hard drive:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;255867

After this step change BIOS to boot from CD as first device, W98 CD's are bootable and can run setup from the boot option menu.

Trying to use a Compaq install CD on a non Compaq system `probably' will not work.

x86,
I will do as you say. I would really like to know what search engine you are using, because I rarely find what I need at Microsoft support. But whenever I follow your URLs, they are always on target. I was hoping that you would be the one to answer my post. You saved my butt on an XP install that I did on my other computer.
I have already installed Win98SE and it seems to be working fine except that whenever I start up the machine it wants me to insert a floppy disk. I have already set the BIOS to boot first from the HDD. I already have a good Win98 boot disk, but it doesn't seem to matter what disk I use -- I put in a Compaq utilities disk once -- it will still go to Windows. Is this a problem that became imbedded when I installed Windows, and that is why I have to format? I don't mind, I just want it to work right.
Will, I appreciate your input, but after reading over my post, I can't imagine where you ever got the idea that A) I was using a Compaq install CD, or that B) I did not have a Compaq system. Sleep deprivation does that to me sometimes.

Thanks,

Jude

Hi all
"I have already installed Win98SE and it seems to be working fine except that whenever I start up the machine it wants me to insert a floppy disk"

is the reason you want to format and reinstall os due to "wants me to insert floppy"? that might not need a reinstall depending on when it gives the request.

" I have already set the BIOS to boot first from the HDD. I already have a good Win98 boot disk, but it doesn't seem to matter what disk I use -- "
If hdd is first boot device it will aways boot to the hdd if it has the needed boot files. If you want to boot to floppy you must set floppy to boot before hdd. I leave mine set to boot floppy,cd then hdd, it is a little slower that way.

make the boot sequence 1)a: 2)cd 3)c: or hdd

Hi JW

I never mentioned Compaq CD ?? I feel my post was clear and it is the standard install method I use. I always setup my PC's to boot from Floppy first, if it does not find a floppy then will go to second device which is hard drive. I only change to boot from CD for install of Windows which have bootable Cd's. I admit I should of said change boot sequence after install, but I always reset BIOS to defaults unless a client needs a special setup after O/S install.

x86,
The comment about Compaq CD was not for you. See response Number 2 of this thread from WILL, it was for him.

OK JW, as for M$ you go to this page and type in what you want but have to use variations, ie boot floppy might be boot diskette.

http://support.microsoft.com/

Hey Jude,

I go along with x86 on this one. I normally leave the boot sequence to A:, C:, CD. I occasionally boot from floppies for one reason or another, & this saves me from having to reset the BIOS every time & then having to change it back. Even when installing an OS, I prefer booting from a bootdisk, rather than booting from CD. The only exception to this is with Win XP, where it's just easier to boot from CD.

HTH

Dave