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Update on a DOS question- 486 computer

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  • DOS
  • Computers
  • Windows
Last response: in Windows 95/98/ME
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May 18, 2005 3:23:02 PM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

This ng moves so fast, I thought it better to start a new thread.
I have this unknown 486/25 with only 16 MB RAM and no OS. I thought to use
it for a basic W98 puter, but no need for it. I do need it as a DOS 6.22 puter.

A W98SE boot disk did work, but I stopped before formatting.
As someone advised, my DOS 6.22 boot disk copy didn't work then because it
was not a byte-by-byte copy. I did that and it works fine.

Now I am getting the error message "DOS 6.2 can't load as there is another
DOS already running". Don't know what was on there, no OS, probably W9X.

At this point, to clean the disk and start over, my DOS 6.22 won't load, as
above. If I format with the W98SE boot disk, won't that surely put a later
version of DOS (DOS 7.0) on the hard drive so I then cannot load DOS 6.22
for sure?

TIA

below is one of the replies from the previous thread for reference.
------------
From: "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>
Subject: Re: DOS question
Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 16:43:16 -0500
L
"ms" <ms@nospa.com> wrote in message news:3ehlgjF37etpU1@individual.net...
> An update: It must have had 9X on before, the 98SE boot disk ran fine.
>
> chkdsk showed the harddrive is full of files, yet no OS? If they wiped
the HD,
> it would be empty?

Not necessarily, a formatted drive may have data on it that can be
retrieved.
It also may be that they didn't format the drive, yet they simply deleted
either
what they thought was vital to remove or simply what they were capable of
getting at/seeing/finding.

>
> It has 16 MB RAM, looks like a 1.4 GB hard drive. I'm not an expert, but
got a
> similar P133 working for my wife for casual use, loads 98SE slow, but it
> works.

The memory is at the least required and the drive is small but possibly
large
enough for your app trial needs.
Win98 requirements:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;182751

>
> This machine is a 486 something, so a question:
> There are some programs I would like to try out on another machine than my
> regular W98SE machine. With 16 MB RAM, if I can format, then load W98 on
this
> 486, will this be useful?

Depending on the size of the apps when installed will determine if it's
useful.
If they're small enough, have at it, although as you note it will be slow.
However if the apps are not compatible with Win98, then it's not useful unless
there is a way to get them to run properly. Bottom line, it all depends on the
apps.

>
> Or, how to get 9X totally off the machine so I can boot up in DOS 6.22?

If there are files on the drive, then there must be a partition (volume),
at the
a: prompt type:
format c:\

also have a read here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221829


--

More about : update dos question 486 computer

Anonymous
May 18, 2005 4:20:26 PM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Your computer (16 MB RAM) is under powered for Windows 98.
I would make a good DOS 6 pc.
You need to boot from the DOS 6 disks, then Fdisk to get rid of the FAT32
partitions. Repartition with the DOS 6 boot disk and then install DOS 6x
from these disks. (Do not use your Win98 boot disk)

If you have not worked only in DOS before, have fun.

"ms" <ms@nospa.com> wrote in message news:3f1fbkF5hrrqU1@individual.net...
> This ng moves so fast, I thought it better to start a new thread.
> I have this unknown 486/25 with only 16 MB RAM and no OS. I thought to use
> it for a basic W98 puter, but no need for it. I do need it as a DOS 6.22
> puter.
>
> A W98SE boot disk did work, but I stopped before formatting.
> As someone advised, my DOS 6.22 boot disk copy didn't work then because it
> was not a byte-by-byte copy. I did that and it works fine.
>
> Now I am getting the error message "DOS 6.2 can't load as there is another
> DOS already running". Don't know what was on there, no OS, probably W9X.
>
> At this point, to clean the disk and start over, my DOS 6.22 won't load,
> as above. If I format with the W98SE boot disk, won't that surely put a
> later version of DOS (DOS 7.0) on the hard drive so I then cannot load DOS
> 6.22 for sure?
>
> TIA
>
> below is one of the replies from the previous thread for reference.
> ------------
> From: "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>
> Subject: Re: DOS question
> Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 16:43:16 -0500
> L
> "ms" <ms@nospa.com> wrote in message news:3ehlgjF37etpU1@individual.net...
> > An update: It must have had 9X on before, the 98SE boot disk ran fine.
> >
> > chkdsk showed the harddrive is full of files, yet no OS? If they wiped
> the HD,
> > it would be empty?
>
> Not necessarily, a formatted drive may have data on it that can be
> retrieved.
> It also may be that they didn't format the drive, yet they simply deleted
> either
> what they thought was vital to remove or simply what they were capable of
> getting at/seeing/finding.
>
> >
> > It has 16 MB RAM, looks like a 1.4 GB hard drive. I'm not an expert, but
> got a
> > similar P133 working for my wife for casual use, loads 98SE slow, but it
> > works.
>
> The memory is at the least required and the drive is small but possibly
> large
> enough for your app trial needs.
> Win98 requirements:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;182751
>
> >
> > This machine is a 486 something, so a question:
> > There are some programs I would like to try out on another machine than
> > my
> > regular W98SE machine. With 16 MB RAM, if I can format, then load W98 on
> this
> > 486, will this be useful?
>
> Depending on the size of the apps when installed will determine if it's
> useful.
> If they're small enough, have at it, although as you note it will be slow.
> However if the apps are not compatible with Win98, then it's not useful
> unless
> there is a way to get them to run properly. Bottom line, it all depends on
> the
> apps.
>
> >
> > Or, how to get 9X totally off the machine so I can boot up in DOS 6.22?
>
> If there are files on the drive, then there must be a partition (volume),
> at the
> a: prompt type:
> format c:\
>
> also have a read here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221829
>
>
> --
Anonymous
May 18, 2005 8:42:24 PM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

"Richard Goh" <me@mailinator.com> wrote in message
news:%23mdLm69WFHA.3716@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

> Your computer (16 MB RAM) is under powered for Windows 98.
> I would make a good DOS 6 pc.
> You need to boot from the DOS 6 disks, then Fdisk to get rid of the FAT32
> partitions. Repartition with the DOS 6 boot disk and then install DOS 6x
> from these disks. (Do not use your Win98 boot disk)

NB: after repartitioning (with FDISK) you
must FORMAT the hard drive before you
can write anything to it.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
Related resources
May 18, 2005 8:42:25 PM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Don Phillipson wrote:
> "Richard Goh" <me@mailinator.com> wrote in message
> news:%23mdLm69WFHA.3716@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>
>
>>Your computer (16 MB RAM) is under powered for Windows 98.
>>I would make a good DOS 6 pc.
>>You need to boot from the DOS 6 disks, then Fdisk to get rid of the FAT32
>>partitions. Repartition with the DOS 6 boot disk and then install DOS 6x
>>from these disks. (Do not use your Win98 boot disk)
>
>
> NB: after repartitioning (with FDISK) you
> must FORMAT the hard drive before you
> can write anything to it.
>
Thanks to both of you, I want to do what you suggest, but that is the
problem: when I put in the DOS 6.22 setup disk, I get the message about
another version of DOS.

How do I get past that screen?
Anonymous
May 19, 2005 2:35:37 AM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

ms wrote:

>>
> Thanks to both of you, I want to do what you suggest, but that is the
> problem: when I put in the DOS 6.22 setup disk, I get the message about
> another version of DOS.
>
> How do I get past that screen?
>
Simple, boot from your DOS 7 (Win9x) booting floppy.
Use the FDISK from this floppy to clean the drive from any info on it.
You can create a DOS primary and active partition, but DO NOT format it
from this version of DOS.
Now boot the DOS 6x and install (on a virgin drive).

HTH

BTW this is a Linux ng. and Tomsrtbt diskette is an excellent tool in
such situations.

Have fun

Stanislaw
Slack user from Ulladulla.
Anonymous
May 19, 2005 2:35:38 AM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

I would also not choose the option for large disk support when FDISK offers
it.

"Stanislaw Flatto" <compaid@shoalhaven.net.au> wrote in message
news:ZqPie.1512$Zn.76266@news.optus.net.au...
>
>
> ms wrote:
>
>>>
>> Thanks to both of you, I want to do what you suggest, but that is the
>> problem: when I put in the DOS 6.22 setup disk, I get the message about
>> another version of DOS.
>>
>> How do I get past that screen?
>>
> Simple, boot from your DOS 7 (Win9x) booting floppy.
> Use the FDISK from this floppy to clean the drive from any info on it.
> You can create a DOS primary and active partition, but DO NOT format it
> from this version of DOS.
> Now boot the DOS 6x and install (on a virgin drive).
>
> HTH
>
> BTW this is a Linux ng. and Tomsrtbt diskette is an excellent tool in such
> situations.
>
> Have fun
>
> Stanislaw
> Slack user from Ulladulla.
>
Anonymous
May 19, 2005 2:39:26 AM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Stanislaw Flatto wrote:

> BTW this is a Linux ng. and Tomsrtbt diskette is an excellent tool in
> such situations.
>
> Have fun
>
> Stanislaw
> Slack user from Ulladulla.
>

Sorry, just came from aus.computers.linux.

Have fun anyway.

Stanislaw.
Anonymous
May 20, 2005 1:57:06 PM

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

Try creating a new DOS 6.22 boot floppy. You may have
to use fdisk to reconfigure the hard drive or drives.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Ben

"ms" <ms@nospa.com> wrote in message news:3f1fbkF5hrrqU1@individual.net...
> This ng moves so fast, I thought it better to start a new thread.
> I have this unknown 486/25 with only 16 MB RAM and no OS. I thought to use
> it for a basic W98 puter, but no need for it. I do need it as a DOS 6.22 puter.
>
> A W98SE boot disk did work, but I stopped before formatting.
> As someone advised, my DOS 6.22 boot disk copy didn't work then because it
> was not a byte-by-byte copy. I did that and it works fine.
>
> Now I am getting the error message "DOS 6.2 can't load as there is another
> DOS already running". Don't know what was on there, no OS, probably W9X.
>
> At this point, to clean the disk and start over, my DOS 6.22 won't load, as
> above. If I format with the W98SE boot disk, won't that surely put a later
> version of DOS (DOS 7.0) on the hard drive so I then cannot load DOS 6.22
> for sure?
>
> TIA
>
> below is one of the replies from the previous thread for reference.
> ------------
> From: "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>
> Subject: Re: DOS question
> Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 16:43:16 -0500
> L
> "ms" <ms@nospa.com> wrote in message news:3ehlgjF37etpU1@individual.net...
> > An update: It must have had 9X on before, the 98SE boot disk ran fine.
> >
> > chkdsk showed the harddrive is full of files, yet no OS? If they wiped
> the HD,
> > it would be empty?
>
> Not necessarily, a formatted drive may have data on it that can be
> retrieved.
> It also may be that they didn't format the drive, yet they simply deleted
> either
> what they thought was vital to remove or simply what they were capable of
> getting at/seeing/finding.
>
> >
> > It has 16 MB RAM, looks like a 1.4 GB hard drive. I'm not an expert, but
> got a
> > similar P133 working for my wife for casual use, loads 98SE slow, but it
> > works.
>
> The memory is at the least required and the drive is small but possibly
> large
> enough for your app trial needs.
> Win98 requirements:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;182751
>
> >
> > This machine is a 486 something, so a question:
> > There are some programs I would like to try out on another machine than my
> > regular W98SE machine. With 16 MB RAM, if I can format, then load W98 on
> this
> > 486, will this be useful?
>
> Depending on the size of the apps when installed will determine if it's
> useful.
> If they're small enough, have at it, although as you note it will be slow.
> However if the apps are not compatible with Win98, then it's not useful unless
> there is a way to get them to run properly. Bottom line, it all depends on the
> apps.
>
> >
> > Or, how to get 9X totally off the machine so I can boot up in DOS 6.22?
>
> If there are files on the drive, then there must be a partition (volume),
> at the
> a: prompt type:
> format c:\
>
> also have a read here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221829
>
>
> --
July 5, 2013 3:45:10 AM

You can install Windows 95. I have same configuration 486/25 with 16 MB RAM with Windows 95.

________________________________________________


ms said:
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion (More info?)

This ng moves so fast, I thought it better to start a new thread.
I have this unknown 486/25 with only 16 MB RAM and no OS. I thought to use
it for a basic W98 puter, but no need for it. I do need it as a DOS 6.22 puter.

A W98SE boot disk did work, but I stopped before formatting.
As someone advised, my DOS 6.22 boot disk copy didn't work then because it
was not a byte-by-byte copy. I did that and it works fine.

Now I am getting the error message "DOS 6.2 can't load as there is another
DOS already running". Don't know what was on there, no OS, probably W9X.

At this point, to clean the disk and start over, my DOS 6.22 won't load, as
above. If I format with the W98SE boot disk, won't that surely put a later
version of DOS (DOS 7.0) on the hard drive so I then cannot load DOS 6.22
for sure?

TIA

below is one of the replies from the previous thread for reference.
------------
From: "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>
Subject: Re: DOS question
Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 16:43:16 -0500
L
"ms" <ms@nospa.com> wrote in message news:3ehlgjF37etpU1@individual.net...
> An update: It must have had 9X on before, the 98SE boot disk ran fine.
>
> chkdsk showed the harddrive is full of files, yet no OS? If they wiped
the HD,
> it would be empty?

Not necessarily, a formatted drive may have data on it that can be
retrieved.
It also may be that they didn't format the drive, yet they simply deleted
either
what they thought was vital to remove or simply what they were capable of
getting at/seeing/finding.

>
> It has 16 MB RAM, looks like a 1.4 GB hard drive. I'm not an expert, but
got a
> similar P133 working for my wife for casual use, loads 98SE slow, but it
> works.

The memory is at the least required and the drive is small but possibly
large
enough for your app trial needs.
Win98 requirements:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;182751

>
> This machine is a 486 something, so a question:
> There are some programs I would like to try out on another machine than my
> regular W98SE machine. With 16 MB RAM, if I can format, then load W98 on
this
> 486, will this be useful?

Depending on the size of the apps when installed will determine if it's
useful.
If they're small enough, have at it, although as you note it will be slow.
However if the apps are not compatible with Win98, then it's not useful unless
there is a way to get them to run properly. Bottom line, it all depends on the
apps.

>
> Or, how to get 9X totally off the machine so I can boot up in DOS 6.22?

If there are files on the drive, then there must be a partition (volume),
at the
a: prompt type:
format c:\

also have a read here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221829


--


!