Hi

The machine specs are:

256RAM
40gb HDD

The machine originally had Windows XP home on it, however there were problems upon start up (XP refused to start up in any mode - safe, last good config etc) giving an error:
UNMOUNTABLE BOOT VOLUME.

Using a Windows 98 boot disk, I used fdisk to remove all the partitions (extended & primary)...having done this, I created a new primary partition to the max size. The Windows 98 boot disk (this disk came along withe official cd rom)gave errors upon start and complained that is missing the following files:
btcdrom.sys
aspi2dos.sys
asi8dos.sys
aspi4dos.sys
aspi8U2.sys
aspicd.sys

The disk in addition is also missing the format.com file. I copied over a format.com file from my laptop which has win2k onto the disk. Now, when I run the format C:\ command on the dos prompt, I get the following error:

"This program cannot be run in DOS mode."

Can anyone please help me with this issue. I am not quite sure as to why this error might be happening.

I would like to format the primary partition to FAT32. And then I would like to install Windows98, after which I have an upgrade CD of Windows 2000 Professional, that I wish to run.

Thanks heaps,
bv.

Hi.
If I send you a zipped special startup disk can you get it zipped onto a 3.5
The disk is self explanetery, after you unzip it onto a 3.5, just put it in the computer and reboot. you will then be able to Format / Fdisk / install CD Rom / ect.
If you would like this file, let me have a e-mail Address.
Have a nice day.

Hi

I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks.
bv.

If you had ntfs on before , use this .

Delpart.exe From NT 3.51, this utility can delete extended NTFS,
Lilo, and just about any other type of partition .
DELPART is a DOS based utility that will remove NTFS partitions from
hard drives. FDISK is unable to remove some types of NTFS partitions.
DELPART can wipe clean a hard drive, then you can use FDISK to create
partitions normally.
www.bootdisk.com
http://www.michalferber.com/downloads.asp
http://www.2e.org/files.htm

==========================================

If you still have problems , use this .

http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/index.html
Freeware .
WIPE OUT : as the name implies, this utility will absolutely WIPE your hard drive. For those
times when an industrial strength cleaner is needed to remove any pesky files Fdisk may have
left behind. A readme file is included in the zip file. WARNING...WIPE OUT will remove ALL data
from the Hard Drive.

DIRECTIONS

1- Unzip file
2- Copy WIPEOUT to a Win9x boot disk
3- Boot with Win9x disk
4- At the A:\> type "wipeout c: /nq /np" (no quotes)
/nq = no queries - you will not be asked if you are sure.
/np = no partitions - this will overwrite the MBR

Press Enter .

Now run fdisk to set up partitions .
When done reboot & format .

Oldhobo

I was able to successfully format the hard-drive (Fat32) and upon rebooting, during start up..the mouse driver was installed. However, it is still unable to recognise the CDROM. Although upon start up I get the message..

This driver was provided by Oak Technology, Inc..
OTI-91X ATAPI CD-ROM device driver.

Any ideas as to what else might be the issue?

Thanks,
bv.

What drive letter are you trying for the CDROM ?
If you used a Win 98 boot disk, and only have one HDD partition, the CDROM is gonna be drive E:
Drive D: is the virtual drive that a Win 98 boot disk sets up, and it disappears once Windows is installed, and then your CDROM will revert to drive D:

Krystyna

Hi

I have been trying for drive E:\ but it comes up with the Invalid drive specification error.

Cheers,
bv.

When you reboot with the floppy disk, are you choosing to start with CDROM support ?

A freshly formatted C: drive, without an OS, and without a boot floppy won't have DOS drivers, so you won't get access to the CDROM without the floppy.

As the comp is booting, does it say on screen that the CDROM has been successfully detected and it should also tell ya what drive letter it has been assigned.

Krystyna

Hi

It has now managed to detect the CDROM. The disk was missing 2 files & hence causing some problems.

Thanks heaps for all the help.

Regards,
bv.