If for any reason your system fails to boot off the hard disk, having the startup disk will enable you to start the system readily and examine the contents of your drive if it is still functioning. If in the event of catastrophic failure, this startup disk will provide the means to restore your system from tape to a new hard disk drive. The steps to create an emergency startup disk are simple.

If you are using Windows 98
open your control panel and select "Add/Remove Programs"
Select the "Startup Disk" tab
insert a known good floppy diskette into the drive
select "Create Disk" and you are on your way.

Once this is done, take the disk out of the drive, label it "Startup Disk", the date DDMMYYYY and store it in a secure location. In the case of Windows NT run RDISK at the Start, Run options. Keep this disk in a secure location! it contains sensitive information about your system, information you may not want to fall  into the wrong hands. NT start disks contain user securities and if lost can result in total loss of all data in a NTFS file system drive.

REMINDER:Retain all system disks and registration numbers in your possession.