boot disk

i am asking this question just to make sure if i am on the right track. i have created a boot disk from the control panel and i just want to make sure that i have access to my cd-rom from this boot disc.

i booted using the newly created boot disk after i chose the option to run with cd-rom support. when i came at the a: i had the following message: "The diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to Drive D.

At the A: prompt i changed to the D: prompt (D = my cd-rom drive) then when i typed dir instead of all my backup files on the cd rom, i got a list of the following files:

Attrib exe
chkdsk exe
command com
debug exe
edit com
ext exe
extract exe
format com
help bat
mscdex exe
readme txt
restart com
scandisk exe
scandisk ini
sys com

Does this mean that my cd-rom support if fine ? Therefore if i will plan to format my hard disk to make a clean install of windows, will i be able to run the windows setup from my CD with this boot disk.

i am asking this question because since when i typed dir i didn't see the filenames of the files i have on my cd rom, i thought i should make myself sure here.

p.s. i am talking about win 98SE.

Thanks

 

Does this mean that my cd-rom support if fine ?

Yes.

When booting from a 98 startup disk it creates a RAMDRIVE which it labels with the next available letter. In your case D:

And the files that you show are there.

So that will make the CRDOM E:

BillyBob

 

so to be 100% sure. if i delete and create partitions using the fdisk utility, then i will format my c:. when i come to install win 98se , if i type setup at the d: prompt, it should launch the windows installation ?

 

NO.

If you only create C: and boot form the SUD then the CDROM will be E:

If you create partitions C: D: E: and boot from the Statup disk the RamDrive will be F: and the CDROM will be G:.

The Ramdrive will always be the next letter above the last HD partition no matter how many there are. And the CDROM will be the next letter above that.

Right now ( if you only have C: on the HD ) if you boot to the SUD and get the A: prompt.

Type E: [enter]

Then type DIR [enter] you should see the files on the CD.

BillyBob

 

thx for your info. so at the moment i have 1 hard disk = c:, 1 cd rom = d: and 1 cd rw = e:

now if i will partition/format/reinstall will the drive letters remain the same after i finish the installation, or will i end up with c:, e: and f: instead of the c:, d:, e:

thanks and sorry for the hassle, but i just want to be sure before i proceed.

 

thx for your info. so at the moment i have 1 hard disk = c:, 1 cd rom = d: and 1 cd rw = e:

You are welcome.

now if i will partition/format/reinstall will the drive letters remain the same after i finish the installation, or will i end up with c:, e: and f: instead of the c:, d:, e:

OK.

The word Partitioning is throwing me off.

Please give me an Idea of how many partitons you are going to make. Then I can give you a more fitting answer.


thanks and sorry for the hassle, but i just want to be sure before i proceed.

Agree to making sure.

BB

 

actually, i going to keep just my 1 primary dos partition i.e. the c: therefore i want to end with the exact drives as i have at the moment i.e. c: = hard disk, d: = cd rom and e: = cd writer.

actually, the fact that you told that ramdrive will take a drive letter between my hd and my cd rom confused me a bit.

or will ramdrive take that drive letter temporarily ?

 

actually, i going to keep just my 1 primary dos partition i.e. the c: therefore i want to end with the exact drives as i have at the moment i.e. c: = hard disk, d: = cd rom and e: = cd writer.

OK. Then we can leave the word Partition out of this. As it reads as though you are not going to change or make any new ones.

actually, the fact that you told that ramdrive will take a drive letter between my hd and my cd rom confused me a bit

Yup. That it can do.

or will ramdrive take that drive letter temporarily ?

Yes. The RamDrive will be temporary. Once you get the Windows Install completed to the point that it restarts the machine the Ram Drive will be gone. As long as you have taken the floppy out which can be done as soon as the Windows setup starts..

So as I see it now your drive lettering will still be as us. HD as C:

CDROMS as D: and E:.

BillyBob

 

thx very much indeed ... your help is much appreciated.