I followed instructions and found the delindex program listed as c:\, however I still get the error message (bad command or filename) when I boot up from my startup floopy. I have a dell inspiron 2500 laptop 2GB ME. All else seems to have failed. I am a newbie.

Does Delindex exist? Is it in a folder instead of on C:\?
Click Start, point to Search, and then click Files or Folders. In the "Search for files or folders named" box, type "delindex.bat" (without the quotes; make sure you spell delindex correctly, and be sure to add the ".bat".) Leave the "Containing text" box empty. In the "Look in" in box, click "Local Hard Drives (C)". Click "Search Now." If there is a file listed, look under the "In Folder" column. If it says "C:\", it is where it belongs. If the folder listed is NOT "C:\", Delindex.bat must be moved (cut and pasted) from its present folder to C:\ (NOT in a folder!). If "There are no results to display," Delindex.bat is either not on your c: drive or was incorrectly renamed (or you typed delindex.bat incorrectly in the search box); download Delindex again, this time to the C:\ folder.

If all else fails, post you problem at Computing.Net on the WinMe or Win9x forum with Delindex as the subject.

"when I boot up from my startup floopy"

(heh)

Booting from a diskette takes you to the a: prompt - try switching to "C:" by entering:

C:

.. and then try running the command

'bad command or filename' means that DOS cannot find the filename entered, either because it isn't 'there' (or not on the PATH) or else due to a typing mistake.

Pick one

No real need to quote the troubleshooting instructions(?)

Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid. -John Wayne

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DELINDEX does exist. Just follow THIS LINK posted by The Renaissance Man.

i_XpUser

Well, I suspect he already has Trev's page.

To Use:

'type c:\delindex from any drive or any folder'

Is that what you are entering?

Another reason for 'bad command etc.' would be if the batch file references an external command which cannot be found (like maybe 'deltree', for example)

Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid. -John Wayne

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I'd bet Delindex is not on C:. That's why you're getting the error message.

Before you go to DOS, with or without Windows running, look for Delindex. If it's not on C:, entering Delindex at c: or c:\delindex from A: will never work.

Is it on your desktop? If it's not on C: or on your desktop, search for it.

Or download it again directly to C:

Whenever you do find Delindex, make a Startup disk with the Create routine; it's much faster and easier. It will either display a menu as soon as booting is finished or run Delindex immediately (your choice). It also runs it in color.

Keep us posted.