There is a guide to formatting here:
http://freepctech.com/pc/001/002.shtml
Insert the disk in the drive, then boot the computer. From your message,
it sounds as though you are trying this procedure after the computer has
booted. I assume you followed the correct procedure for creating this
boot disk.

Make sure your BIOS is set to boot from the floppy drive.
There is a guide to installing Win98 here: (Same procedure as ME)
http://freepctech.com/pc/001/004.shtml

larry maddock wrote:

>9:19 AM 8/7/2005-----sunday morn---10 am cst
>
>my cpu is h.p. pavilion 6736-r   purchased 1/1/01
>667mgz celeron processor
>upgrade to 256 sdram memory
>floppy and cd-rom
>windows o.s.---ME
>
>due to problems with deleted .dll files i have been advised to reintall my O.S.
>
>a friend has given me a M.E. installation cd.
> i have went to freepctech.com and downloaded[on floppy]
>a boot disk for M.E.
>  while trying to format the hard drive
>    i get *****NON-SYSTEM DISK OR DISK ERROR.
> REPLACE AND PRESS ANY KEY WHEN READY.
>i have took disk out and reinserted and pressed key------and once just pressed key without takeout.same
>thing took place.
> i have done this in NORMAL. THEN TRIED SAFE MODE.
>       MESSAGE KEEPS REPEATING WITH PRESS OF KEY.
>
>
>
>
>

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