Boot Disks

[Kev_Dawg]

This is real confusing and I am screaming out to you guys for help. I looked up for MS Dos commands and I got few, but they do not seem to work. I want to load the driver in ms dos so I can see the files, but when I type cd c:\ it does not load. When I even put C:, it still does not work. Although the commands I am doing is a correct command, what am I doing wrong here, how come it does not detect the c driver, can it be a bad bootdisk software?:scratch:

[BGP Spook]

So you have booted off the disk and are trying to change drives from A: (example) to C:, correct?
(I need time to research this, but don't have the time right now so....)

Question, what do you need to do in the command prompt that you can't do in the GUI? (Stall!)

[Snafu]

How are you running in "DOS mode"?

[Kev_Dawg]

I went and downloaded a bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com, I restart pc and boot from A drive. Then what I see is A:\>, I typed c:\ and I also typed cd c:\, these both commands still never worked, ms dos was trying to say there was no c drive:scratch: :irk:

[Rukee]

With XP just put a floppy in the floppy drive, click my computer>right click the floppy drive> format> create MS-DOS start up disk> format. Boot to the floppy and when it shows A:/ type "C:" then your commands.

[Snafu]

Yuppers like he said.

BTW visit fleabay and look for a copy of "DOS for Dummies". It will have all the DOS commands.

For flashing drives or bios' in DOS read the manual/instructions carefully on the proper way to flash as well as the tags you need. Flashing is not a novice thing to do unless you understand the instructions 'cause hardware is easily pooched with the wrong drive, bios or wrong steps and it needs rma for repair.

[Kev_Dawg]

I did what Ruke said, it gave me some error saying invaild drive specs, but I have a c drive, why is it doing this?:scratch: :beat: :beat: This same error happened in my computer class as well, but the question is why and how to fix this? I am not dumb, you people may think I am because I ask questions, but this is because then I can refresh my memory. If you guys think that of me I know you wont say it:p .

[Rukee]

could you be more specific?? What is giving you the error?? formatting the floppy or the DOS commands?? What`s the exact error and where are you seeing it??

[Kev_Dawg]

could you be more specific?? What is giving you the error?? formatting the floppy or the DOS commands?? What`s the exact error and where are you seeing it??

Not formating, it's just to get into the C drive, it says invaild drive specs. This is dumb because I have a c drive and it is labeled as c, why is it doing this error still though?:scratch:

[Rukee]

you have to be more specific Kev, what exact error and when?? give the exact wording or post a pic.

[Snafu]

Don't get huffy mate.

The book "DOS for Dummies" is real and is a good reference for DOS commands that explain them in fairly straightforward terms.

And flashing drivers or bios' can pooch your hardware. It was just a word of warning especially when a lot of Q's are asked.

Now, follow Rukee's advice in post 5 and right-click on the floppy drive (aka A: Drive) not the hard drive. After the boot disk is created, put it in the floppy drive and reboot. It will boot to DOS and will allow you to access your hard drives.

[Rukee]

Kev, from windows try a double click my computer>right click your "C" drive>properties>tools>error checking>check now. Reboot and let it check the C drive when it boots back up into windows. That may fix the invalid drive space and allow you to get into the C drive from DOS.

[Kev_Dawg]

I did what Ruke said, and the error says Invaild Drive Specifcation or whatever you spell it. This is still not working, can my floppy disk be the problem or something else?

[Rukee]

unplug your CD ROM and other hard drives from the IDE cables and leave connected only the hard drive with the OS on it, then try it again.

[Kev_Dawg]

I tried this on my girlfriend's computer and still does not work, now I know the problem is not only on my PC, what can I do now?

[Rukee]

I haven`t ever really messed with it, but doesn`t DOS change the letter of the hard drive by 1 letter or somethin?? If "C:" doesn`t work, then try "A:\D:" or "E:"

[Kev_Dawg]

I haven`t ever really messed with it, but doesn`t DOS change the letter of the hard drive by 1 letter or somethin?? If "C:" doesn`t work, then try "A:\D:" or "E:"

Tried all the letters and still no go, this must be the weirdest thing. I give up lol, if someone knows how to fix this please post.

[Rukee]

is it a SATA drive? or is it on one of the IDE cables??

[Snafu]

Well it should work and if it doesn't work for you on two machines then it could be a small missed step somewhere.

All I can suggest is that you write out a step-by-step of what you are doing so we can have a better understanding and advise if something may have been missed. Don't retype from earlier posts but write out what you are doing as you do it - this is the only way anyone might be able to provide advice - well unless someone wants to go over to your house :lol:

[RotorHead]

is it a SATA drive? or is it on one of the IDE cables??

Thats what I was thinking.........maybe DOS might have a problem recognizing the newer SATA drives and controllers.

[Kev_Dawg]

Thats what I was thinking.........maybe DOS might have a problem recognizing the newer SATA drives and controllers.

I have IDE, if the DOS is having trouble to reconize the newer controllers then how do you fix this?

[Rukee]

Kev, your not that big of a fool are you?? He said if it was a SATA drive DOS might have a problem recognizing , you said it was an IDE drive, so that`s obviously not the problem.
There have been plenty of suggestions givin here that you have not tried and you should, including getting the DOS for dummies and/or writing down each and every step your doing while trying to access the drive in DOS, yet you still don`t do them. There`s nothing else we can do unless your willing to help us out here and do some of the things we`re suggesting. If your not willing, then just say so and I`ll stop waisting my time.

[The Executioner]

Better summation is possible but the points are well spoken!

Do not ask without the intent of heeding sound advice.

[Subsider]

try this type c:\documents and settings\administrator then go from there

edit: or type "cd .. " thats cd .. with bolth .. and no quotes :thumb: :thumb: