Hello,

I've been reading the posts about installing DOS onto a puter's HD. My situation is this: I was given a fairly decent computer with a 3 gb HD, 96 mgs of RAM, not really a whole lot by today's standards, but this puter is going to my mom for surfing the internet, basically. This computer was built, not one of those ready-made things like I'm using at this moment...(O: I purchased a copy of DOS 6.22 off e-bay and would like to install it on the old computer. I was told to reformat the HD and then install the new program. Can anyone out there give me a few pointers on how to make sure the cd-rom and the a: drive will still work after I reformat? I wasn't able to obtain the original disks that were used on this computer, so will be winging it. It's been 10 years since I've done anything with DOS, and that was only very basic stuff. I'll be installing Windows SE on this thing, too. When I do, will I need to type any commands into the config.sys/autoexec.bat files? Or will the Windows program automatically do that for me? I think that's about it. Thanks in advance for any help on this subject. Also, one more question. Are there any good books that are written in lay terms on "how to" for Dos that anyone can recommend? Again, thanks for the help. I really appreciate it!

Sincerely,

Deb...(O:

Debbie,
Perhaps I've missed something here. You bought DOS 6.22 but you'll be installing SE (I'm assumming WIN98 SE)? Those two don't blend...
If you're to install 98, the CD is all you need...the OS contains it's own DOS...
You might need a start-up disk if you can't boot from CD but that would be all you'd need.

Good Luck

Hi John,

Thanks for the info. Until I found this website, I didn't even know that later editions of DOS existed. The computer that I have won't run Windows 98, which it already has, because someone erased one of the DOS files that it needs to run the system. I'm assuming the previous owner received one of those misleading emails that pointed the way to erasing an important file calling it a virus. I tried installing the upgrade version of 6.22, but the computer rejected it. So, I figured I'd start from the ground up. I have a copy of Windows SE and I think I also have just the plain old '98. What version of DOS would I need for the SE? Thanks so much for the info.

Deb...(O:

The DOS you need is on the CD of the OS (98, 98SE, XP, etc). (Try to get the original 98 CD) Whatever OS you choose, put the CD in the CD reader and boot up...Follow the bouncing ball...

It's me, again. Well, I tried that, what I have isn't the original Win 98, but a copy that was burned for my husband from his work. This was so that he could have the same program at home that is the same as the one at work. Anyways, it didn't even recognize that a disk was in the cd rom drive. I get this HIMEM error message and Windows 98 tries to run in safe mode, but after two attempts it just tells me it's safe to shut down my computer now. So, I guess reformatting the HD will be the best route to go. Thanks for your help.

Deb...(O:

Debbie,

Go to http://www.duxcw.com and check around the website. He has extensive detailed instructions on how to install Windows on a blank hard drive, and how to create a blank hard drive to work with. It's well worth the look.

Good luck,

Gene D

The copied CD-ROM of a Windows 98 installation disk was illegal to Microsoft who has undocumented safeguards against software pirating. I am afraid that when Window began going to "it is now safe to shut down the computer" as you were booting you had set one of these safeguards off. If you have, you are going to have nothing but trouble unless you completely remove the partitions on the drive, repartition and format. Then you should install Windows 98 from a genuine Microsoft CD.
You could simply format and install 6.22 on the drive without many problems, but you cannot readily surf the internet in DOS.

Thanks Gene and Fred for the advice. I have a boot up disk that came with my Acer, which has windows 98 installed on it. Do you think that I could use that one? Is it possible to make a back up copy onto floppies? My second computer has only XP on it. I'm in a quandary as to what to do next...hummm. I'd rather not go out and buy another copy if I don't have to, besides, it was hard enough to get my hands on this DOS 6.22. Oh well, thanks again for the input.

Deb...(O:

Can you "read" the cd in another system? If so, Make an EBD (Emergency Boot Disk) via your running 98 O/S. Boot the other machine with it choosing CDROM Support. Note what drive letter is assigned to the cd drive. Put in the cd and type;

X:\setup

at the command prompt, where X: is the drive letter assigned to the cd drive. I'd run 98SE if you have it.

Wy are you installing d.o.s. You do not need this if you are installing Windows 98 SE. Windows 98 basically runs off dos but uses a g.u.i- graphical user interface. To format the H.D just use a windows 98 boot disk. It contains cd rom drivers and will let you select to boot with or without cd rom support. Also has utility's such as fdisk wich will let you delete partitions, create partitions. format /U typed at a command prompt will let you do an unconditional format on the H.D. Make sure you create a FAT32 partition to get better storage with your small H.D. Now you can boot from your WIN98 SE cd and install on your new partition.

IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will make a self extracting boot image to make a floppy to install win 98, burned copy doesn't matter it will work fine! I'll make that disk, and post it on my website.
Use your burned cd. use my floppy and be fine. could also see if you can get one at bootdisk.com

Just E-Mail Me at Startrekfan821@aol.com
I swear some people can be such idiots and make people like you confused!!
i'll be in touch.

Also you can get dos 6.22 and win 3.1, etc. all at
http://386page.gooddays.org/ FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. The disk will do all the work for you, though it may take me awhile to make.

Ooooooooooo. Stardate 21347.6 God is here.

Can anyone out there help me?

I made a copy of my MS-Dos 6.22 onto a CD because I wanted to get rid of all the Floppy Disks.

I found a way to create a Bootable CD which would allow me to install Ms Dos from CD.

It worked fine however, somehow I missed a few files from the orginall Floppies and now I get an error message.

Is there anyone out there who would send me or make available the following Files:

ISO.CP_ or ISO.CPI
MEM.EX_ or MEM.EXE
REPLACE.EX_ or REPLACE.EXE
RESTORE.EX_ or RESTORE.EXE

The file with the "_" symbol are orginal compressed files on the Installation Disks.

I can also be reached on:

ICQ# 78730734

Thanks

Hey guys,

It's me, again. Here's what I did. I decided to format drive C and start over, well, all that did for me was to make my Command Interpreter disappear. I tried the directions in the book that came with my DOS program by typing in C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM. Well, the computer isn't recognizing that command and I'm like a blood hound on this thing now. I just absolutely have to figure out what's going on. The original reason I did the format was because the himem wasn't loading properly. I got this message:

ERROR: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address 04000016h. XMS driver not available. HMA not available: loading DOS low.

After reading the response from a later post, it seems that I was looking in the wrong place, but correct me if I'm wrong. Should I be looking at the memory sticks? I believe this thing uses SDRAM, at least that's part of the message that I read when the computer is booting up. Also, it won't boot up without disk #1 in the a: drive. Then, I can switch to c: drive, but cannot edit config.sys although it will let me look at the directory. Any more suggestions?

You all have been wonderful with your help and I'm eternally grateful. Thanks in advance for your continued assistance.

Deb...(O:

Debbie,
"ERROR: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address 04000016h. XMS driver not available. HMA not available: loading DOS low."

Yes, look at the sticks. This error indicates one of them is failing. Now's a good time to upgrade your memory if you have to buy one anyway. Check your motherboard manual to see what your board will take/accept. (Or take it with you when you go to buy).

You can try removing them and re-seating, but.....

DOS bootdisks from version 3.x to Windows Me (including MS-DOS, PC.DOS & DR-DOS) are available at:

http://www.powerload.fsnet.co.uk/bootdisk.htm

All disk images also contain FDISK, FORMAT & SYS

Thanks for the info on the sticks. I'll check those.

What do you think could be causing the Command Interpreter to reject the command.com entry? The book only gives the one example that I wrote in my earlier post, which isn't much help at this point. I did go to the 386 page and download the boot disk prog for 6.22, but when I started the puter up with that in the A: drive, it came up with a non-system disk error, so, do you think that I should try a different boot disk download from another site?

Oh, and this time when I started the puter without the #1 disk in it, I didn't get the himem error, so, I'm guessing that the sticks are dirty. When I acquired the machine it was totally filthy. I blew it out really well with canned air and even the fan doesn't squeal anymore. I will definitely give it a more thorough going over with the compressed air and check those sticks.

Thanks, again for all your help.

Deb...(O:

msdos 6.22

The floppy is ALMOST done. Current version:
BETA 0.62 as in 62% done!
p.s. if you don't remember read my original posts.
also this disk will install windows 95/98/98se
for you as long as you have the cd and a valid product key. if you don't I can do a little tweaking. just tell me if it is a full install or upgrade and if you have a key. also be sure to bring a couple of blank floppies with you when you get on the internet so if I get done you can make it/them. talk later.

Hi Startrek,

I don't have original copies of the win 98, only burned copies. Thanks a bunch for your help with this thing. Just a question, though, how can I tell if the version that I have is "beta"? I'm almost completely illiterate when it comes to DOS. Everything I learned about DOS was over 10 years ago and never had to use it until now. I'll be waiting to hear from you. Again, thanks for your help.

Sincerely,

Debbie...(O:

I going to have to restart on the disk, my Hard drive crashed and I lost every thing it took me 3 days to recover! I am going to make
it automated. hopefully useing some thing called msbatch.inf I may be able to make it even more automatted. in the mean time look up http://www.bootdisk.com/ and see if you can find any thing. the burned cds will work fine. the only orignal windows cd I have is 95, my 98 and me are copies on cd-r.

Debbie,

If you have the product key for the CD which you have, either download a 98 or 98SE bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com/ and boot with it choosing CD Support, then load windows, or, if the machine is cd boot capable, just boot with the cd and load windows. You may want to format the drive first prior to loading. There's INSTALL GUIDES and HOWTO'S to the left of this page with step by step instructions.