Thinkpads Forum

Hello guys.

I need your help to solve my problem. Hope u all can help me as soon as posible.

Okey. I have IBM laptop which 570 series. At the bottom of my laptop sticked Type 2644 2AA. I got this problem when i'm try to format my hdd. I have IBM HDD Model : DARA-206000 which only 4GB capacity. I have format my hdd because i want to install a new OS which my old OS is too many unneeded files. But, the problem come when i only CD Drive which only connect with usb. So, i cant enter setup from my CDROM. Then, I take another way by boot from diskett. I have copy win98SE files to C:\win98 as a setup source. I switch ony my laptop and boot from disket.
I have install the win98 by typed "setup" at prompt. The setup run good untill it restart after done copying files needed. After restart, my IBM 570 can't detect any OS/HDD. Its appear "invalid system disk, please replace the disc and press any key".

I become stuck. I format again. I'm very afraid if my hdd need to throw to rubish bin. At this time, I only format. No files copy/no OS install. Then i switch on my IBM 570. The IBM said, "no operating system found". Its mean my hdd is still in good condition. I think it maybe my OS source file (Win98SE). Later, i changed my mind. I want to use old windows98gold. The problem come again (cannot boot to OS). Now, the IBM 570 said "I/O error". Ughh.. i format again. And install win98se again. now, "invalid system disk" show again.

I have try to install my hdd at personal computer (PC). amazing, it can bootup to window98se/windows98gold!!!~....

so, i need u all helps. pls help me ASAP.

I'm not entirely sure I understood everything in your post, and I don't own a TP570, but here are a couple things to double-check before you get help from others who may know more.

1. When you are booting up for the first time, make sure that you do not have any disks in the floppy drive. The message you quoted: "invalid system disk, please replace the disc and press any key" will show up on any computer if you try to boot up with a non-system disk in the A: drive.

2. Make sure that your C: drive appears in the boot sequence of your TP570. You can set the boot sequence by pressing and holding F1 (I think!) after you see the memory post finish with "OK". Then use your TrackPoint to move the bird/pointer select StartUp (I think!) then Boot, then Reset, then click on each device you potentially want to boot from. A standard sequence is to have the Floppy first, then the CD, then the hard drive. Some people skip the CD drive and I don't actually know if the 570 will boot from CD.

3. If these things have no effect, then make sure that you format your hard disk while it is sitting in your ThinkPad: don't format it on a desktop and then move it over to your ThinkPad. This may resolve boot problems on certain machines in some cases.

Phil.

i have follow ur 3rd advise!!!! and its works! thank you very much buddy.
it's true, i need to format at thinkpad not at desktop.
may god bless u.

Hey that's great!

I've never actually seen that problem before on my machines, and I don't know which machines it affects or why. I've seen other people mention it elsewhere in this Forum, though, so I just repeated the advice I'd seen others give in similar cases.

Glad it helped.

Phil.