Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy? Intended For Windows 98 Windows 95 When you use Windows to make a startup or "boot" diskette, it isn't complete. Copy the file MSDOS.SYS from the root directory of your hard disk onto the floppy, and reboot. This file tells DOS where your Windows directory is located. Written by: Annoyances.org Last updated: Thursday, August 9, 2001 Care to discuss this article with other Windows users? Select your operating system here, and click Continue to post your question. - Choose your OS -Windows 7Windows VistaWindows Server 2003Windows XPWindows 2000Windows MeWindows 98Windows 95 Previous discussions about this article: (open a message to see applicable responses, if any) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (mike: Thursday, August 30, 2001) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Don M.: Saturday, November 17, 2001) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Chell: Sunday, November 25, 2001) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Steve: Sunday, December 9, 2001) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Scott Dinwiddie : Saturday, December 15, 2001) [Windows 95] what should I type At The A:\ Promt So THat Windows 95 will start (jason Fowler: Sunday, September 8, 2002) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Curtis: Monday, June 9, 2003) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Terry Steckert: Monday, July 21, 2003) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (Christina: Saturday, July 24, 2004) [Windows 98] Question about 'Why can't I start Windows when I boot from a floppy?' (nicholas barlow: Thursday, September 16, 2004) [Windows XP] xp pro recovery file (john: Monday, October 18, 2004) Return to "Troubleshooting"