system disk error

[ghostgirlCS1]

I need some help!
First, here's my problem. It started out simply that, because of low resources, my comp kinda frove. I closed some programs, still low resources (yet comp was unfroze) and so I restarted. When it started back up, it went through the stuff just fine, until it got to "Verifying DMI Pool Data". Immediatley after that, it says "Invalid System disk... replace disk then press any key". Now here's something else. 1) I don't have a floppy drive, it broke, and so I disconnected it for now, so there is no disk in it. 2) I have 2 CD-Rom drives, and there isn't a disk in either one. I try hitting a key, and it tries to read from an ATAPI cd-rom, so, it's looking there. I tried a Windows 98 disk, with no change. I tried d/l some free boot programs f/ the internet, and that didn't work either. I don't have my own boot disk.
Here's the info on my comp.
It was custom built, and the guy who did it for me, didn't give me any disks, no Windows or anything. But, Windows 98 is installed on it.
The mother board: all I know is from the book he did give me on it
AM33-EC or EL, not sure which.
I only have 4G, need to get a bigger drive and a new floopy soon, I know. I can't remember how much RAM i have at the moment, but I did install an extra RAM card a while back.
I don't know why it's doing this, and I don't know how to fix it. I've tried everything I can think of, with no luck.
I really don't want to reformat my hard drive, if at all possible, because there was some info on there, that I was working on to get put on a disk at the time of the crash. And it's irreplacable.
If anyone has any help, or any place I could possibly find a d/l of something that I can use to get my comp to boot, please please help!! I have never had this problem before, and I'm going nuts.

[sechs]

Try disconnecting the opticals, and see if you can boot from the harddisk. If that doesn't work, try booting from each of the optical drives individually, and see if that works.

Have you tried resetting your BIOS? Was everything working well before this incident?

[ghostgirlCS1]

Okay, well, I just tried disconnecting the opticals, and, nope.
I have tried changing the BIOS, several times. Still no change.
I have gotten to this point though:
I got my hands on a Windows 98 boot disk, made a bootable CD, and my computer finallly went past the point of saying Invalid system disk. But, it only went a bit further. Here's what happens after booting, for the most part:
Scans memory, then, "Verifying DMI Pool", then it will give the Invalid System Disk message, but will continue on to boot f/ the CD, then presents a screen saying:
Microsoft Windows Startup Menu
1.Start Windows 98 Setup f/ CD-ROM
2.Start Computer with CD-ROM Support
3.Start Computer without CD-ROM support

I choose 1 or 2 and get :
The Windows 98 Setup Files were not found
A:\>

Choose 3, and just get A:\>

But see, I have the boot cd in one drive, and the windows 98 cd in another, and I have tried switching them, and rebooting, or booting with only one or the other, it doesn't make a difference.
I type DIR for the drive w/ Win98, and get a list and setup is on it.
I've tried typing setup, says it can't run in DOS. But it won't let me out of DOS!!! I tried DIR on the C: too, and finding Windows, and
tried Windows.com, and get 2 error screens. Maybe you can tell me what the deal might be, from this.
First: Invalid VxD dynamic link call from CDUDF(03)+000002EB to device "048B" service 1. Your Windows configuration is invalid. Run the Windows setup program again to correct this problem. To continue running Windows press Y... To quit.... If you continue running Windows, your system may become unstable. ...
I press Enter... get Second error:
VFAT Device Initialization Failed
A device or resource required by VFAT is not present or is unavailable. ...
System Halted.
I try and try to run setup, and it won't let me. I tried changing some configurations in BIOS, with no change. I'm running out of ideas. If nothing else, I would like to be able to copy a few things from my hard drive, then, if I have to, reformat it. If there is no other possibility that might work to save me from it (which I'll try anything you offer), can someone tell me how to possibly save some stuff while in DOS, BEFORE I have to reformat??
I appreciate any help anybody gives me, thanks in advance!

[ghostgirlCS1]

Originally posted by sechs
Try disconnecting the opticals, and see if you can boot from the harddisk. If that doesn't work, try booting from each of the optical drives individually, and see if that works.

Have you tried resetting your BIOS? Was everything working well before this incident?

Oh, yes, btw, everything was working normally before this happened. It caught me completely by surprise.

[sechs]

I sounds like your file system driver went bad. It probably then proceded to jack-up your entire harddisk to all foo. My guess is that your harddisk may no longer be bootable.

As for booting from the optical disks, it sounds like it is working as expected for the way that you are doing it. Since the boot CD is expecting the Windows files to already be in the same drive as it is, it will always fail.

If you can get to a DOS prompt, you may wish to see if you can access your harddrive.

You may also want to try running some utilties to check that all of the hardware is working correctly. The Ultimate Boot CD might be helpful in that respect.

[sshaw223]

Check in the BIOS for "Reset Configuration Data", You should find it listed in PnP/PCI Configurations. The system needs to rebuild the ESCD (extended System Configuration Data). Enable this in the BIOS and save. When it reboots you will see the message "ESCD Update Successfully" and you should be on your way!

Sue

[sshaw223]

Check in the BIOS for "Reset Configuration Data", You should find it listed in PnP/PCI Configurations. The system needs to rebuild the ESCD (extended System Configuration Data). Enable this in the BIOS and save. When it reboots you will see the message "ESCD Update Successfully" and you should be on your way!

Sue