marooned in dos

[lib319]

I tried to rename the win.com and winver.exe files in dos to enable an oem install of win 98 over win 95. As dos does not recognise my cd rom (no driver?) win 98 cannot install and win 95 will not boot. Using rename to undo my changes is not working. I'm a bit stuck frankly.

I did this

ren c:win.com win.cox & ren c:winver.exe winver.exx

Doing the same thing to change back the extensions will not work.

Anyone know why? And yes, its the first time I've used dos, how did you guess........

Thanks in advance for any help

[mjc]

Did you switch positions...ren c:win.cox win.com?

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[lib319]

Sorry, yes I reversed what I originally did.

I originally tried to change files from the C root directory instead of the windows folder (yes I know....but I thought if Windows is in C it would change the files)so I'm wondering what has happened, what has been renamed if I'm renaming in the wrong place altogether. Should I try cd (i.e. change directory to) windows and then rename them back to their original extensions?

[BigBlue66]

Try to get back to your starting point, then go to www.bootdisk.com (http://www.bootdisk.com) and download the necessary files to create a bootable floppy with CD-ROM support. It will have generic CD-ROM drivers that should allow for use of your CD-ROM to install.

If you go this route, make sure to set your first boot device as floppy in BIOS.

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

This message has not been edited by BigBlue66.

[iisbob]

i would suggest you do a complete wipe, then an install of 98-by doing a " dirty " install you run the risk of some windows system files not being correctly updated, and leaving behind possible registry entires that could undermind your new Windows version.

Format the drive, then install windows-if it's an upgrade make sure you have the previous Window's version CD handy, then just insert it upon prompt to let the new Window's verify that you are " legal " for an upgraded MS product.

Trust me, a clean install will save you amny headaches down the road.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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iisbob

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.-Mark Twain

[lib319]

I'm back in win 95, thanks as always for your posts.

The main reason for moving to '98 is because of error messages like missing .dll files when my cd rw software boots and the inability to load a soundblaster driver due to missing file messages.

I had the idea that installing '98 would perhaps act as a fresh install, as ever I'm living in a microsoft utopia far removed from reality.

Thanks for the warning about this, I don't really want to erase the hard disk and reinstall everything again (a lack of original media would be a problem) so I think sticking to win '95 might be the best plan. Unless anyone has any ideas on installation of 98 from 95 that perhaps avoids any disasters....

Thank you all again very much I really appreciate the help.

Andrew

[John0904]

This is what I do when I want a fresh install of the OS system.
Boot with a boot disk so I have access to the CD drive.
After I boot with the boot disk, I change directories to the C: drive.
I type the following command: deltree c:\windows
Do not interrupt this process. The deltree command is in the windows\command directory unless you copied it to the boot drive.

After it deletes the windows directory, I go to the CD drive and type: install
After that is all said and done, I have a fresh copy of the OS.

The only two side effects are:
1. Your start menu won't contain any of the shortcuts you had before.
You can beforehand, copy "C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu" to a disk or a backup directory and copy it back.

2. Some programs do not work because the required .dll files are missing which were in the windows directory
Simply reinstall those programs over the original program and they should be working again.

If there is anything I am missing, I hope someone points that out.
But that is what I pretty much do when I want a fresh install of the OS.

[old_kid]

Hey Lib:

I have found that DOS programs, unlike Window programs, can be copied out to a ZIP drive (for example) and then copied back in after OS installation and still function w/o needing the original Inastallation Disks.

I haven't found any version of windows that gives a hoot. In addition you can transfer out any data files on win programs and transfer back after OS install and application reinstall.

So if your missing media are DOS programs you might get aound ok. Hell I am still lugging one DOS program around even into XP - It has years or irreplacable Data in it and Moving it into a WIN program 1. WOuld be a huge effort & 2. Haven't found a WIN app worthy in terms of speed, ease, flexibilty etc

Sticking with Win95 was tough though - I had sooooooo many patches - even my patches had patches -
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Good Judgement comes from Experience - Experience comes from Bad Judgement