I am trying to format an old computer with windows 98 on it. When I insert the 3.5" boot disk I select boot without cdrom support from what I read online. It then goes to DOS and only shows the A:\> and I can't get it to switch to C: to begin the format process. It has been years since I used DOS so probably just having a severe brain fart but I have tried.

Prompt $p$g

cd\

cd dos

cd

etc.

I appreciate any advice.

9/16/2007 2:05:09 PM

cd D:\

9/16/2007 2:09:23 PM

have you tried typing c: and pressing return.

If that doesn't work.......

9/16/2007 2:09:40 PM

^yes

9/16/2007 2:10:46 PM

when i try most it says invalid drive specification ?

9/16/2007 2:27:35 PM

did you try the D drive

9/16/2007 2:28:07 PM

^yeah says the same thing as well

9/16/2007 2:32:45 PM

You're trying to format the hard drive? If it's not been formated yet, you can't switch to it. From the a:\ prompt:
format /? will show you all the options.
format c: will wipe and format the hard drive

What version of 98 do you have? If it's Windows 98 Second Edition, I think the CD will do the format for you. In which case you'll boot to your floppy boot disk WITH cd-rom support, then type d: or (I think it's q: if you got your bootdisk from bootdisk.com) to switch to the cd-rom, then setup.exe.

9/16/2007 2:35:17 PM

^you are better of using a windows 98 boot disk or cd

the version of DOS you are using may not recognize FAT32, it may only recognize FAT16

weird though b/c after reading the 1st post again it sounds like you are using win98 boot disk

[Edited on September 16, 2007 at 2:53 PM. Reason : .]

9/16/2007 2:51:34 PM

Do you have a CD drive on that computer?

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php

Quit futzing around with the 3.5" boot disk and DOS.

9/16/2007 3:02:55 PM

Ok maybe a little more info would help.

This computer was bought from NCSU as a Freshmen in 2000. It has zip drive, 3.5" drive, and cd drive

I also have the following disk:
NCSU CBT CD which says it includes netscape, IE, Operating systems 95, 98, and nt4.0, microsoft office 97 microsoft project 98

3.5" Microsoft boot disk 98 series

College and University computers recovery cd and 3.5" disk (when i use these it says to remove floopy disk before image process begins but give me an error when the image screen first appears saying file can't be found)

Microsoft windows 98 upgrade CD

I am trying to format this computer to run windows and internet for a family that needs a computer so any help would be great.

Thanks Again

9/16/2007 3:12:11 PM

hd dead?

9/16/2007 4:43:48 PM

try running fdisk, or boot with cd rom suport, run setup form the 98 cd, and let setup handle formatting, ect for you

9/16/2007 5:01:02 PM