This is getting annoying! :confused:

I've got an old Pentium III computer running Windows98; I added a used hard-drive and formatted it, and then tried to install Xubuntu on the second hard drive (I disconnected the first hard drive and set the formatted drive to "master".

I don't quite understand the installation guide, it tells me to download the ISO file, but it doesn't tell me whether I need to convert it (using 7-Zip) or install it "as is" so I tried it both ways to no avail.

No matter what I do, I only get the message "INVALID SYSTEM DISK". :mad:

I tried booting with no CD in the drive and got the same "invalid system disk" message, so I'm wondering, is it because I haven't correctly formatted the hard drive?


The version I am using is Xubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake) Alternate:
"PC (Intel x86) alternate install CD
For almost all PCs. This includes most machines with Intel/AMD/etc type processors and almost all computers that run Microsoft Windows. Choose this if you are at all unsure."


Someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong!

You probably need to set the formatted drive as active.

You can do that using Fdisk from Windows 98 DOS.

Thanks HVAC, I'll give that a try :cool:
I'll post a reply if I have any luck.

Hey Darkclaw,

I re-read your post, and though of a couple other possibilities if setting the drive to active doesn't work.

You burned the ISO image and tried to boot from it right? Maybe a corrupt ISO image during burning or from the download. Open the ISO image on XP using something like UltraISO, or even Winrar to verify.

For the formatted disk, run "fdisk /mbr" that should re-write the MBR. Usually Invalid system disk means a corrupted boot record.

Thanks HVAC, I found some more info on installing Ubuntu (I figure it must be virtually the same process) and it confirmed that the ISO must be opened first - I think I've done that bit correctly but now I have to figure out what exactly to do with the hard-drive:

I formatted the hard drive and FDISK says that it is already partitioned (primary partition), but it won't allow me to mark it as "active".

I can put files and folders into it with no apparent problems so I think it's okay.
I tried setting the boot sequence with only the CD drive active (hard drive and floppy off) and again I got the "invalid system disk" message.

Ultra ISO sounds promising though - perhaps I didn't burn the CD correctly the first time?