start up disk

is there any way of creating a start up disk without using windows ie through ms-dos
problem being chap has windows on machine but will not load (will not load in safe mode either)and he did not make a start up disk so now im asking the question isthere a way that i can make a start up disk without using windows by the way the guy lives out in the sticks and dosnt know anybody near him who uses 98 i am based the other side of the country so can not go around and sort it for him except by phone