Jefferson H.S.

HOWTO: Creating Startup Disks

v1.0
Placido S.

You should make some Windows 95 startup disks for your computer and save them for those emergencies when you can not start up your PC. A startup disk (or boot disk) contains a slimmed-down version of the operating system (OS) which fits on a 3.5 floppy disk and can start up the computer and run essential software. Usually you would use it to rescue files, repair software, or take care of other problems that have caused your PC to fatally crash.;

Directions for Windows 95/98:

Start Menu-->Settings-->Control Panels-->Add/Remove Programs-->Startup Disk

Directions for DOS

(From the New A+ Certification Guide by Marcraft)

1.    Create a self-booting troubleshooting disk.
        a. place a blank disk in drive A.
        b. At the DOS prompt type "FORMAT A:/s" and press enter.

2.    Create a new CONFIG.SYS file on the boot disk.
        a. At the DOS prompt, type: "COPY CON A:config.sys" and press ENTER.
        b. Type the following text, pressing the ENTER key at the end of each line.

    buffers=20
    files=40
    stacks=9256
    device=c:\windows\himem.sys
    device=c:\windows\vga.sys
    shell=c:\dos\command.com c:\dos /p /e:256

3.    Save the new CONFIG.SYS file to the floppy disk.
        a. Hold down the CONTROL key and press the Z key, and then ENTER.

4.    Create a new AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the boot disk.
        a. At the DOS prompt type "EDIT A:autoexec.bat".
        b. Type the following text, pressing the ENTER key at the end of each line.

    path=c:\dos;c:\windows
    set temp=c:\windows\temp
    prompt $p$g

5.    Save the new AUTOEXEC.BAT file to the floppy disk.
        a. Hold down the ALT key and press the F key.
        b. Use the DOWN ARROW to highlight the Save option and press ENTER.

6.    Copy the system's .INI files to the floppy disk.
        a. Copy \windows\win.ini a:
        b. copy \windows\system.ini a:
        c. Copy \windows\progman.ini a:
        d. Copy \windows\control.ini a:

7. Also copy these files onto the boot disk so that you can make repairs to the hard drive.

Directions for Macintosh:

 
Use your Mac OS CD-ROM (make sure you save all those disks that came with your computer) and Restart while you hold down the C key. The Mac should boot from the CD drive, find the OS on the CD-ROM and run your computer.

Other Startup Disk Options

Norton Utilities also creates a startup disk package that usually requires 3 disks for Windows 95 or Macintosh. Follow their instructions for a more comprehensive set of disks.

Create an Anti-Virus Rescue Disk(s)

If you have Norton Anti-Virus (NAV), MaCafee, or some other anti-virus software, it is also a good idea to create a startup disk set which can scan and repair viruses when the hard drive is too badly infected. Just follow the instructions from respective your software.

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