I am running Windows 98 and I want to make a boot disk for emergency re-booting. The command sub-directory under Windows has a program file called ‘boot disk’ which I have copied onto a floppy. But when I start the computer with this disk in A drive I get the “non system disk” error message and the computer will not boot. What must I do to get a functional boot disk?

I am not able to find a file called ‘Book Disk’ on my computer so I would assume that another program on your computer installed the file and that it isn’t a standard Windows application. Even if it was installed by Windows, this file alone would not be able to function as a boot disk because on a boot disk you need a series of system files, not just one application. However, you can let Windows automatically create you a boot disk by going to the ‘Start’ menu > ‘Settings’ > ‘Control Panel’ > open the ‘Add/Remove’ programs control panel and click the ‘Startup Disk’ tab. Click the ‘Create Disk’ button and follow the on screen instructions to create a bootable floppy disk. NB: Make sure that you have on hand during this procedure your Windows 98 master CD or disks and an empty and formatted floppy disk.