Computing.Net > Forums > Windows 95/98 > Automate part of Win98 Install

Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Over 90% answered within 24 hours! Click here to start participating now! Also, be sure to check out the New User Guide.

Automate part of Win98 Install

Reply to Message Icon

Name: KarL102
Date: April 12, 2006 at 17:54:06 Pacific
OS: Win98
CPU/Ram: 900-256
Product: Dell
Comment:

I know how to use the msbatch.exe etc. to help automate the Win98 install. I want to create a batch file and add it to a Win98 Boot Floppy. I need help with the following items:

1. I need a the commands that tell a batch file to search for the correct cd-rom drive or drive letter.


2. I want the .bat file to "md win98", in the root of C:\
[example C:\WIN98},
next, I want to use the command
{example, H:\copy *.* c:\win98} thus have the win98 cabs copied to
C:\WIN98.

Conclusion:
The combination of the items I listed in 1. & 2. ,
If the correct drive letter is H:\ or any other drive letter, I need the correct commands that tell the batch file to use the correct drive letter of the cdrom drive that contains the Win98 Cd. and then start the copy of the WIN98 CABS into the C:\WIN98 F0LDER.


Thanks in advance for any help.



Sponsored Link
Ads by Google

Response Number 1
Name: Derek
Date: April 12, 2006 at 18:39:21 Pacific
Reply:

I heard recently (though I've never persued it) that the path to the CD drive is specified within the W98 floppy. So during Windows install all you really need to do is type setup from the A prompt after booting with the floppy and there is no need to worry about the drive letter changing.

If I've read you right then what you are trying to automate is copying the W98 files onto the C drive for later install.

If what I said at first is correct then if you peer inside the floppy you should find a command somewhere that you can modify for your needs. I've never looked but assume it is in the autoexec.bat file on the floppy. Someone else might know for certain.

DerekW


0

Response Number 2
Name: Derek
Date: April 12, 2006 at 18:40:45 Pacific
Reply:

Err..by W98 floppy I mean a normal Windows Startup disk.

DerekW


0

Response Number 3
Name: Dave357
Date: April 12, 2006 at 18:44:26 Pacific
Reply:

Simply add the commands to the autoexec.bat file on the boot floppy. Your boot floppy will set the drive letter for the CD-ROM, so there should be no question about what the drive letter will be.

HTH

Dave

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?


0

Response Number 4
Name: Derek
Date: April 12, 2006 at 18:53:37 Pacific
Reply:

Thx Dave357.

DerekW


0

Response Number 5
Name: KarL102
Date: April 12, 2006 at 19:12:09 Pacific
Reply:


I am visually handicapped and am trying to allow myself some sort of Independence when needing to install Win98 after a crash or HHD Failure.
If I may, let me try to re-explain what I need help with. I know and understand, that when using the Win98 Boot Floppy the autoexec.bat of the Win98 Boot Floppy contains the commands that set the cd-rom letter thereby displaying the Cd-rom Drive Letter. I am asking for a batch command that will read, select and auto use that correct Cd-rom Drive letter. Next after the batch finds the correct cd-rom drive letter the rest of the batch commands will then use that drive letter along with other commands to copy the Win98 Cabs to C:\win98.
NOTE....the below does not work. I need the example corrected. Also
I need all of the commands to accomplish the results contained within my first post.
EXAMPLE:
REM Locate the CDROM drive,
FOR %%d IN (c: d: e: f: g: h: i: j: k: l: m: n: o: p: q: r: s: t: u: v: w: x: y: z:) DO IF EXIST %%d\ SET CDROM=%%d


0

Related Posts

See More



Response Number 6
Name: Dave357
Date: April 12, 2006 at 19:32:11 Pacific
Reply:

All of that is unnecessary. Since you are creating/modifying the boot floppy, just look at your autoexec.bat file to see what letter is assigned to the CD, and write your new commands accordingly:

MD C:\Win98

xcopy R:\Win98\*.* C:\Win98(assuming that your boot floppy sets the drive letter as R

C:\Win98\setup

Derek, YW. Our posts crossed.


HTH

Dave

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?


0

Response Number 7
Name: KarL102
Date: April 12, 2006 at 19:46:41 Pacific
Reply:

Dave357 and others

I understand how to look at the screen and find the cd-rom drive letter that is being displayed during the Win98 Install. Your commands are correctly stated. What I am trying to say but wish I did not have to say it for all the world to know, is that I am almost blind and have to use special programs to read this text and all text. It is very hard to see the display of a DOS Window. That is why I am wanting to have a batch file find the Cd-rom Drive letter and then start the install. I can always have someone help me and/or do the install for me, but I want to be albe to do things without always depending on someone. {except for depending and hoping someone here can help me.}


0

Response Number 8
Name: Dan Penny
Date: April 12, 2006 at 20:48:07 Pacific
Reply:

Add the following to the :QUIT section of the autoexec.bat on the Win98 bootdisk;

:: NEW ADDITIONAL LINES
echo Making new directory WIN98 on C:
md c:\win98
echo.
echo Copying Windows 98 setup files to C:\WIN98
echo.
copy/v %cdrom%:\win98\*.* c:\win98
echo.
echo All files are now copied to C:\WIN98
echo.

In the end it should look like this;

@ECHO OFF
set EXPAND=YES
SET DIRCMD=/O:N
set LglDrv=27 * 26 Z 25 Y 24 X 23 W 22 V 21 U 20 T 19 S 18 R 17 Q 16 P 15
set LglDrv=%LglDrv% O 14 N 13 M 12 L 11 K 10 J 9 I 8 H 7 G 6 F 5 E 4 D 3 C
cls
call setramd.bat %LglDrv%
set temp=c:\
set tmp=c:\
path=%RAMD%:\;a:\;%CDROM%:\
copy command.com %RAMD%:\ > NUL
set comspec=%RAMD%:\command.com
copy extract.exe %RAMD%:\ > NUL
copy readme.txt %RAMD%:\ > NUL

:ERROR
IF EXIST ebd.cab GOTO EXT
echo Please insert Windows 98 Startup Disk 2
echo.
pause
GOTO ERROR

:EXT
%RAMD%:\extract /y /e /l %RAMD%: ebd.cab > NUL
echo The diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to drive %RAMD%.
echo.

IF "%config%"=="NOCD" GOTO QUIT
IF "%config%"=="HELP" GOTO HELP
LH %ramd%:\MSCDEX.exe /D:mscd001 /L:%CDROM%
echo.
GOTO QUIT

:HELP
cls
call help.bat
echo Your computer will now restart and the startup menu will appear.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
restart.com
GOTO QUIT


:QUIT
:: NEW ADDITIONAL LINES
echo Making new directory WIN98 on C:
md c:\win98
echo.
echo Copying Windows 98 setup files to C:\WIN98
echo.
copy/v %cdrom%:\win98\*.* c:\win98
echo.
echo All files are now copied to C:\WIN98
echo.
echo To get help, type HELP and press ENTER.
echo.
rem clean up environment variables
set CDROM=
set LglDrv=

If you want setup to start automatically, add;

c:\win98\setup

as the very last line in the a:\autoexec.bat file.

It's a good day when you learn something


0

Response Number 9
Name: melee5
Date: April 12, 2006 at 21:20:58 Pacific
Reply:

There is supposed to be a space between the copy command and the /v (verify) switch.
copy /v %cdrom%:\win98\*.* c:\win98



Lee


0

Response Number 10
Name: Dan Penny
Date: April 12, 2006 at 22:50:48 Pacific
Reply:

No, it does not need the space. I've performed the procedure which I posted and tested it. It works fine. I won't post an untested procedure. If I personally have not tried something which I place in these forums, I'll state such in the posting.

The issue of a space before a switch has been "discussed" in these forums many times.

It's a good day when you learn something


0

Response Number 11
Name: jubalsams
Date: April 12, 2006 at 23:16:08 Pacific
Reply:

Adding some underscores on the bottom makes the line post full here like this:


:: NEW ADDITIONAL LINES
echo Making new directory WIN98 on C:
md c:\win98
echo.
echo Copying Windows 98 setup files to C:\WIN98
echo.
copy/v %cdrom%:\win98\*.* c:\win98
echo.
echo All files are now copied to C:\WIN98
echo.


Those extraineous cr/lf pairs can confuse.
Best
________________________________________________



0

Response Number 12
Name: Dan Penny
Date: April 12, 2006 at 23:35:53 Pacific
Reply:

jubalsams, I gather you mean the;

set LglDrv=27 * 26 Z 25 Y 24 X 23 W 22 V 21 U 20 T 19 S 18 R 17 Q 16 P 15
set LglDrv=%LglDrv% O 14 N 13 M 12 L 11 K 10 J 9 I 8 H 7 G 6 F 5 E 4 D 3 C

lines?

I just copied my (bootdisk) autoexec contents in and posted, just trying to illustrate where in the file the new lines should be placed. It didn't occur to me to check for wrap as I was "working" with the bottom of the file area.

It's a good day when you learn something


0

Response Number 13
Name: Mechanix2Go
Date: April 13, 2006 at 02:54:56 Pacific
Reply:

I am also 'visibly impaired'.

But we worked out way bacj when that all these gyrations can be avoioded, and much time saved.

Add this to your MSCDEX line

/L:R

Then in your bat:

xcopy r:\win98 c:\win98\
c:\win98\setup

Away you go.

###
BTW, I'd be interested in comparing notes on msbatch.inf tips and tricks.


If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2


0

Response Number 14
Name: KarL102
Date: April 13, 2006 at 07:24:31 Pacific
Reply:

Thanks to everyone who helped.
I setup the Autoexec.bat of the Win98 Boot Floppy as directed. The commands work perfect.
I made an edit to the first few lines of the Config.sys of the Win98 Boot Floppy.
.......Config.Sys Before edit...........
[menu]
menuitem=CD, Start computer with CD-ROM support.
menuitem=NOCD, Start computer without CD-ROM support.
menuitem=HELP, View the Help file.
menudefault=CD,30
..............................................
..................Config.Sys After Edit ....................
[menu]
menuitem=CD, Start computer with CD-ROM support.
menudefault=CD,01
..............................................
The edit of the Config sets choice one of the menu within one second:
Start computer with CD-ROM support.
Thus, I do not have to look at the screen or make a choice.

Thanks again, for the wonderful help, commands and info..


0

Response Number 15
Name: Dan Penny
Date: April 13, 2006 at 12:00:02 Pacific
Reply:

Glad you got it up and working.

It's a good day when you learn something


0

Sponsored Link
Ads by Google
Reply to Message Icon






Post Locked

This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.


Go to Windows 95/98 Forum Home


Sponsored links

Ads by Google


Results for: Automate part of Win98 Install

Win98 Install Directory www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/win98-install-directory/129585.html

Fatal Exception during win98 installation www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/fatal-exception-during-win98-installation/170264.html

automated installation of win98 www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/automated-installation-of-win98/72471.html