Hello,

I am attempting to install DOS on a 1.4 gig hard drive on a Pentium 1 HP Vectra. All I have is a DOS 6.1 (I think that's what it is) boot disk, so therefore I do have the ability to easily run DOS on the computer without a problem. I have used fdisk.exe to set up the DOS partition on the hard drive. I would like to transfer the DOS files onto the hard drive so I do not need a boot disk (so the computer will just start itself).
The hard drive has been partitioned, but it seems like I can't access it or copy any files onto it. I can get to drive C: (the hard drive) by typing "c:" but whenever I try to do anything it gives me the message "Invalid media type reading drive C Abort, Retry, Fail?"
How can I start transferring files onto the hard drive? (running DOS, copying programs, etc.)

I'm not all that familiar with DOS, so any help is appreciated!

Once you FDISK, you need to run Format C: /S from the floppy. Have you done that?

I did that after you suggested it and it worked! I knew it was something simple, I just didn't know how to do it. Thanks for your help (I left you good reputation, too)!

Ok, now one other thing... how do I get DOS to run off the hard drive? I tried copying all the files from the boot disk to the hard drive but I learned that doesn't work... The computer just says invalid startup. How can I get the computer to simply start up to DOS when it is turned on?

Ok, now one other thing... how do I get DOS to run off of the hard drive? I tried copying all the files from the boot disk to the hard drive but I learned that doesn't work... The computer just says invalid startup. How can I get the computer to simply start up to DOS when it is turned on?

If you Format with the /S the drive should then be bootable. It should leave you at the C:\> prompt. You might need to use an Autoexec.bat and Config.sys to properly coinfigure for the hardware.

Thanks for all your help! Success at last!!

Thanks for all your help! Success at last!!!

Great, what was it?

I used your information about the formatting, and through a long process of starting it up, adjusting the SETUP settings, etc. I managed to get it to work (quite honestly, I don't know how). But it works now, so thanks very much for your help.

I was setting up retail cash register software on it that runs on DOS, so I am also hooking up a modified CueCat, etc. for a scanner... its turning out really great... thanks for your help.