Name: KarL102 Date: April 12, 2006 at 17:54:06 Pacific Subject: Automate part of Win98 Install OS: Win98 CPU/Ram: 900-256 Model/Manufacturer: 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.
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.
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?
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
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?
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.}
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.
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.
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 ________________________________________________
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.
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..