My grandma has an ancient computer that only runs DOS...she can't even get to a C: prompt anymore...getting "Disk Boot Failure". She has a lot of information she would like to get off of there if possible to put on her new computer. Is there a way to get around this error and get her to the C: prompt?

Sounds like it needs the hard disk detecting in the Bios then save and exit the bios.

Forget BIOS detection. The machine is too old to have that. It is possible that the BIOS battery has died taking the hard drive settings with it. You would need to enter SETUP bootup and plug the settings (cylinders, heads, sectors) into the BIOS. These figures may be on a label on the hard drive itself or can be researched on the Web if you check the drive for the make and model. It is always possible that the drive has died.

BIOS hard drive detection was a feature available on some 386 and pretty much all 486 class computers - although often the option would have to be selected first (not automatic like modern systems). Angela, that is what I would check first, that the hard drive is showing in the CMOS/BIOS - should be onscreen instructions on how to get to the setup, usually by hitting the 'del' key after the memory test. If it is detected, then try booting with some sort of a boot floppy - you could get one here, if you don't already have one. Once it boots up, try accessing the C: drive - if the HDD is ok, then you should be able to get a directory listing by entering dir/w Yes, it would be possible to put the drive in another machine, but it sounds like the problem is not the computer, it's the hard drive (or its settings), so that's what needs to be addressed. If it's dead, then there's no point. If it's just a settings problem, switching machines would work, but also the problem could be corrected with the disk where it is. Post back if any of this helps.

Both Chris and Jboy are correct. Boot from floppy and you will get a:\ prompt. you can then type dir C:\ or dir/w c:\ or dir/p c:\, or simply change drive by typing c:\. (back slash optional) Warlock is not wrong neither. In today's age, 386 and most 486 are considered ancient. Since you did not specify what kind of system she has, Warlock is also correct in his assumption.