Author Topic: How to open DOS during boot up??? (Read 469 times)

coop2 · « **on:** January 01, 2003, 02:20:23 PM »

I am going to reformat my hard drive because for some reason my new computer does not seem to like it. So here is my question. What button(s) do I press in order to start DOS? Also im kinda vague on what to type to reformat drive "C". Is it just "format C"???

thanks

coop

Defiance · « **Reply #1 on:** January 01, 2003, 02:25:43 PM »

Hiya,
Hold or keep pressing F8 down that's for most mobo's

Then choose command prompt only (gives ya dos)

Then format away goto C: then type format c: etc and answer Y to wiping all off HD

Btw if you have a IBM drive you can DL a Util for formatting n doing partitions etc off their site

coop2 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2003, 02:34:35 PM »

I do have an IBM, deskstar I think it is, but I have no way to D/L the utilities because I cannot not even get to windows. I keep getting stopped at the blue screen with white letters saying that their is something wrong with my hard drive.

coop

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #3 on:** January 01, 2003, 02:41:45 PM »

is not a motherboard function, it is an opperating system function.

You may or may not be able to use this depending on what "my computer does not seem to like it" means.

The most sure-fire way is to create a system bootup floppy disk and copy fdisk.exe and format.com to it (do a search for them). You should always have a disk like this around, just in case.

When you format the HD, you want to use the following command:

Format C /s

This will format your C drive as a bootable system hard drive.

AKDejaVu

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #4 on:** January 01, 2003, 02:43:43 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by coop2
I do have an IBM, deskstar I think it is, but I have no way to D/L the utilities because I cannot not even get to windows. I keep getting stopped at the blue screen with white letters saying that their is something wrong with my hard drive.

coop

You may want to re-install windows without re-formatting. The installation program will have a disk checker on it that might help.

The main factor would be if you can boot from CD (Don't think most Win98 "upgrade" cds allow it).

AKDejaVu

coop2 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 01, 2003, 02:47:39 PM »

Deja when i say my computer "dosen't like it" I mean that the hard drive went from working fine with my old computer to not being able to load Windows on my new one. Apparently for some reason the HD worked great with my Epox board but needs to be formatted to work with my Abit one. Does anyone have any idea why that is???

thanks

coop

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #6 on:** January 01, 2003, 02:55:42 PM »

Ah... all is becoming clear.

This isn't really a hard-drive problem, it is a Windows problem. Windows does not allow you to change motherboards for the most part. If you want to install the HD on a different computer, and it is the system (boot-up with Windows) HD, you'll need to re-install windows on it so that it will install the proper drivers for the new motherboard. You should not have to re-format the HD.

AKDejaVu

coop2 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 01, 2003, 03:01:17 PM »

Ak are u very busy right now???? Would you mind emailing me your phone or something so you can help me out with re installing windows??? It won't take long, I just want to make sure I do everything right and don't screw anything up (which I'm real good at).

thanks

coop
coopster_16@yahoo.com

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #8 on:** January 01, 2003, 03:14:06 PM »

Someone called just after I sent the e-mail. Give the number another try if it was busy.

AKDejaVu

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #9 on:** January 01, 2003, 04:04:30 PM »

The problem:

Tried to put a system HD with WinXP into a different computer. Got the "Blue Screen of Death" whenever it tried to boot.

The Solution:

Boot from WinXP CD.
Select "Setup WinXP"
Select "Repair existing installation"

All should be well after that.

AKDejaVu

coop2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 01, 2003, 11:23:28 PM »

Thank you AKdeja!!! Without your help I probally would have ended up having to reformat the whole HD. I really appreciate help!!!!!

thanks

coop

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2003, 12:20:14 AM »

NP bud... glad to help.

~~AKDejaVu~~

Wanker · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2003, 08:59:16 AM »

What a nice guy that Deja is.

Someone oughtta give you a medal or something. Maybe we can send Fatty over to give you a big kiss!

iceydee · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2003, 09:09:50 AM »

most microsoft oses let's you reformat/repartition harddrives during setup, so just plug the cd in and start installing...