(Dell Laptop) reformatted C, won't load win98

[drguapo]

I'm trying to install windows 98 on a dell laptop (Cpx latitude 650GT), I've done Fdisk and I have formatted and followed the Win98 installation instructions and I still get this error
This program cannot be run in DOS mode.
I now own a very expensive night light. Any help is greatly appreciated.
**

[Mobo]

Can the laptop boot from the floppy drive with the cdrom in the drive first ?

[Mobo]

To do a clean install, follow these directions:

Start your computer with the floppy disk drive in place, and with the startup disk in the drive. When asked if you want to start with CD-ROM support, select Start the computer WITHOUT CD-ROM support.


You will eventually see the following prompt:
A:\>
(Above that, you should see a line reading "The diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to drive X:". Throughout these instructions, replace X: with the drive letter specified by this line.)

At the A:\> prompt, type:
format c: /s [press enter]
This command will take a moment to complete, and at the end it will ask you to specify a disk label. Enter an 11-character name or simply press Enter.


Once you are back at the A:\ prompt, type:
copy oakcd*.sys c: [press enter]
When the A:\ prompt appears again, type:
X: [enter] (Make sure that you type in the letter specified in the ......successfully loaded to drive X: line)
You should now see an X:\ (or whatever) prompt. type:
copy mscdex.exe c: [enter]
Type edit [enter]. This will open the text editor in DOS. Type the following line:
c:\mscdex /d:mscd001
Press Alt-f and select Save As... . Name this file c:\autoexec.bat .


Press Alt-f again, and select New.


Type the following line:
DEVICE = C:\oakcdrom.sys /d:mscd001
Press Alt-f and select Save As... . Name this file c:\config.sys .


Turn off the laptop, insert the CD-ROM drive, and restart. The computer will come back up with the A:\ (or possibly C:\ ) prompt as before. Now, type D: and press enter.


Put the Windows CD in the CD-ROM drive, at the D:\> prompt, type setup then press enter. This should start Windows Setup.

[drguapo]

Yes

Bios is set for:
CD-ROM
Floppy
HDD

I press 1 for <support w/cd-rom>
loads RAMDrive in D:
and W98SH in E:

[drguapo]

Problem.
I enter c:\mscdex /d:mscd001
Press Alt-f and select Save As... . Name this file c:\autoexec.bat .
when I press alt-f, cursor drops down to Existing Files. I have no "new selection"
yikes

[Mobo]

Do you get a cyrsor after alt f ?

[drguapo]

yes. it drops down to "Existing Files :" box and blinks at the A in first file "ATTRIB.EXE"

[Mobo]

Is there a config.sys file listed ?

[Mobo]

Also I must now leave for about 3 hours but will return to this thread upon returning. If there is a config.sys then continue from this point:


Turn off the laptop, insert the CD-ROM drive, and restart. The computer will come back up with the A:\ (or possibly C:\ ) prompt as before. Now, type D: and press enter.


Put the Windows CD in the CD-ROM drive, at the D:\> prompt, type setup then press enter. This should start Windows Setup.


Good luck and like I said I will be back in a few and check up on you then.

[drguapo]

No there isn't.
Can I assume I need to change the Directories to [-C-] before saving as?