Hey,
I've got an old 486 that was running win3.11 until a couple of days ago when a whole lot of files (like all of windows and command.com) got accidentaly deleted. My aim is to get Linux on it, but that has so many problems that I want to get DOS running again first to format the HD. I've got a boot disk for DOS 6.22 and I can get that to start, but my C:\ is having issues.

I had previously tried to partition for Linux, so I deleted and redid the partitions like they were for DOS before i had started changing things.

I tried "format c:", but it tells me
"Invalid media type reading drive c,
abort, retry, fail?"

When I type "dir" to the C:\ prompt, it replies
"Invalid media type reading drive c,
abort, retry, fail?
Volume in drive C has no label"

In a last attempt at logic, I tried using LABEL to give C:\ a label, but it said
"Invalid media type reading drive c,
abort, retry, fail?" again.

I went back to a:\ and told it
fdisk/mbr
and
sys c:
but it said
"write failure diskette unusable".

I'm all out of ideas, can anyone help me?
thanks,
Konni

I have been running a dual boot system (Linux/Win) for about 3 yrs. From my experience the fdisk in DOS 6.22 does not know how to handle linux partitions. So if you probably were not able to completely erase the linux partitions you originally installed. You will need to boot from a linux boot disk and delete all partitions from there. You can now use fdisk on DOS to set your FAT partitions back up.

Check the computer with a recent boot disk like the one from Windows 98 SE.Use fdisk to determine the presence of partitions on the hard drive.To read the partitions you choose the option 5 of fdisk.If you have non-dos partitions ,delete them.You might as well delete them all and create a new partition called C primary set active to load the operating system.If you intend to use 6.22 do not create a FAT 32 partition:answer (N)o to the first question fdisk will ask you.You need the FAT 16 partition ,max 2 GB.Usually you won't find a large drive on a 486 unless you use the overlay program to install the drive.These computers generally had a 500 MB or smaller gard drive.To install a modern Linux system the 486 computer is probably too old for this.Most Linux are used with Pentium or better with PCI slots not ISA.Good luck.

"To read the partitions you choose the option 5 of fdisk"

It's option 4 to read. Option 5 is for changing from one hard disk to another. (It won't show up unless there are two (bios recognized) drives in the system.)

If you are planning on installing a windows system, stay away from Dos 6.22. Download the proper floppy from www.bootdisk.com.

Win31 does require that a DOS subsystem is installed prior to Windows 3.1x. Without DOS installed, Windows will not boot at all. Windows 3.1x is just a GUI.