Help with 98 install

[MitaDC]

Ok my dad who is just so very smart about computers {dripping sarcasm} bought an old lappy cuz, well I don't know why. Anyways so I turn it on and no os and also it likes to freeze . So went into the bios and made it so the cd-rom boots first but it never does. It shows like mouse initialized etc. then it says operating system not found. What do I need to do? Do I need to make Windows 98 bootable floppy's. I've never installed Win98 b4 so I have no clue but I would imagine I would just need to enter the CD. Anyways could anybody plz point me in the right direction? TY

BTW it is a Pentium 133mhz, 32mb ram

[gambler2611]

most likely hard drive not plugged in or something funny like that. Does it show it up when it boots up on the bios?

Andy

[MRCOMPUTER]

Boot disk sounds like a reasonable idea...

www.bootdisk.com

[MitaDC]

Ok I will check, btw if it is disconnection how could i connect it back in? BTW yah it says On-Board IDE Drive 0 (None) wow shoulda noticed that right off the bat, ok next q how do I check if there is an hd so that I can plug it back in or find out that there isn't one at all (he bought it at an auction so u never know)


BTW it is a gateway2000 solo

Serial No: BC297314658

[elroy]

Check in the bios that the IDE 0 is enabled, drive specs are listed or auto. If this is set to none that would cause your lappy to appear not to have a hard drive. Likely the lappy was sold due to mechanical failure or the owner was unable to make it go due to lack of knowledge.

[MitaDC]

Well I just went to the

On-Board IDE Drive 0 (None) sub screen and it is on auto

Autotype Fixed Disk [Press Enter]

Type: [Auto]
Cylinders: -
Heads: -
Sectors/Track -
Write Precomp: -

Multi-Sector Transfers: 16 Sectors
LBA Mode Control: Enabled
32 Bit I/O: [Enabled]
Ultra DMA Transfer Mode: Disabled
Transfer Mode: Fast PIO 4

I went looked in all the bays and unscrewed a compartment and all that was in there was ram, there is one empty compartment next to the battery. Maybe the HD is suppost to be in there?

[MitaDC]

Type: [Auto] can be changed to [User] and it has tons of different hd configurations, maybe try using that?

[MitaDC]

ok it sayed "Failure Fixed Disk 0" on the boot screen, I don't think it is there guys, anybody know where I could get one or where it would be on the laptop

[Bovon]

The hard drive could be absent or bad...go into the BIOS and into standard CMOS setup...see if there is a hard drive showing in the primary position..if it says none, then the machine either does not have a hard drive, it is disconnected or no power...or is defective.

Laptop hard drives are usually accessed from a slot on the side that you must remove a panel. I had a P-133 Dell a couple of years ago, and the hard drive was on the left side near the bottom...furthest away from the screen.

[Bill in SD, CA]

http://accessories.gateway.com/Acces....htm?ref=merch

Bill

Edit: Whoops!! Didn't see the "out of stock" thingy. A lot of people must have bought used lappies without a hard drive.