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wzartv · Aug 11, 2005, 07:03 AM

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!

ScottGem · Aug 11, 2005, 07:08 AM

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

wzartv · Aug 11, 2005, 07:16 AM

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)!

wzartv · Aug 11, 2005, 07:21 AM

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?

ScottGem · Aug 11, 2005, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by wzartv

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.

wzartv · Aug 11, 2005, 10:06 AM

Thanks for all your help! Success at last!!

ScottGem · Aug 11, 2005, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by wzartv

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

Great, what was it?

wzartv · Aug 11, 2005, 11:06 AM

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.