1) Is this a way to install DOS on a new machine? ...

I Used FDISK to create a Primary DOS partition and formatted it (FORMAT C: /S) using a DOS 6.22 Boot disk. Then I copied the \DOS\ directory and the hidden Dos files to C:.

2) Is it ok to Format (as bootable) a primary partition without deleting the extended partition?....

I installed used FDISK to create an extended partition and a logical drive within it. Then I needed to reformat the C: drive and reinstall DOS. It would not format correctly. Actually, I could FORMAT C: /S, but the drive would not boot.

I had to delete the extended partition and then FORMAT C: /S. That worked. (But I lost all my data in D:)

Thanks,
Harry

1 - After you FDISK, all you need to have a bootable disk is FORMAT C: /S. The required system files will be installed. You do not have to copy any hidden files. The remaining files can be copies in any directory that is included in the path statement.

2 - Each partition can be formatted independently and should not affect the data in any other partition.

Not really an MSDOS question parse this could of been covered in the Hardware Forum??

Try here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;255867

though this question gets answered everyday, why not use the search option at top of page or Google, a hell of a lot quicker.

wizard-fred

<2 - Each partition can be formatted independently and should not affect the data in any other partition.>

Well it seems to me you should be right. But I can not get a clean format with the extended partition in place.

The extended partition is the largest my old DOS 6.22 FDISK would allowed. and the Primary and Logical partitions are simply Fat-16 at 2 GB. Nothing fancy.

I have a suspision that something may be left over (files etc) from the original format /s and DOS installation. But I find that hard to believe.

Oh, here is another thing. When I reformat (FORMAT C:) everything goes fine. But when I reformat with system files (FORMAT C: /s) I get an error like "insufficient memory to unformat, proceed anyway". I answer yes, and continue. I have nothing else running to take memory.

Thanks for your help,
Harry

You don't really need the system ( /s) switch - just employ sys after booting from the appropriate bootdisk to set the system files, if required.

sys c:

Formatting should not cause data loss on any partition beyond the one specified.

A bad cause seldom fails to betray itself

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Thanks to all.

I am going to try the sys command. I had forgotten all about it.

Since I can do a straight format without problems, I should be able to add the system stuff later. That is a great suggestion. I hope it works.

Harry

Sure - that error message when using the ' /s' switch has been reported before, and 'sys' is one workaround.

Just "copying the hidden dos files" is not the way to go.

A bad cause seldom fails to betray itself

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