Creating a Startup Disk is vital in case you have to restart your computer in an emergency, such as when corrupted system files are detected at normal Windows 95 startup or if your hard disk crashes. With a Startup Disk, you essentially start your system from a floppy disk instead of your hard disk.

When your PC first starts, it checks drive A for a copy of the operating system and the configuration files. If there isn't a disk in drive A, then your PC boots with the copy of the operating system and configuration files that it finds on the hard disk.

You can create a Startup Disk, in the Windows 95 environment by following the steps below:

• Click the Start button, select Settings, and then select Control Panel to open the Control Panel.
• Double click the Add/Remove Programs icon to open the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box. Click the Startup Disk tab to bring the Startup Disk sheet to front.
• Click the Create Disk button to start the process. As Windows prepares to create the startup disk, it prompts you to label and insert a floppy disk in drive A:. Click the OK button.
• You are returned to the Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box (with no additional messages) when the Startup Disk has been successfully made. Click OK to close the dialog box and return to the desktop.

All right now what? Well, for starters, keep the disk in a safe place. If you ever have the misfortune of bungling your PC, and the machine does not start with the trusted beep or two and the familiar screen, then it is time. Shut down the computer, put in the Startup Disk and restart the machine.

When the DOS screen comes up, you then have to see if you can transfer the files from the floppy disk to the hard drive. Actually there is a lot more involved then just this, but at least if you have a Startup Disk your computer guru can fix the problem.