Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!texsun!convex!authorplaceholder From: cuddy@convex.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: Re: Updating DOS on a harddisk Message-ID: <63200007@convex> Date: Mon, 9-Nov-87 04:21:00 EST Article-I.D.: convex.63200007 Posted: Mon Nov 9 04:21:00 1987 Date-Received: Thu, 3-Dec-87 21:49:38 EST References: <3418@ece-csc.UUCP> Lines: 45 Nf-ID: #R:ece-csc.UUCP:-341800:convex:63200007:000:2418 Nf-From: convex.UUCP!cuddy Nov 9 03:21:00 1987 >> In article <3418@ece-csc.UUCP>, azk@ece-csc.UUCP (Anwer Kotob) writes: >> >> I have the following problem: In the course of updating from DOS 2.1 >> to DOS 3.1, I did the following: >> 1- erased IBMBIOS.COM and IBMDOS.COM from the harddisk, >> 2- did some more deleting and copying, >> 3- then tried to do: SYS C: >> >> what I got is a message saying that there is no room for the system on C: >>> Thanks in advance, >> >Boot up your system with DOS 3.1 from drive A, then transfer the >DOS's system files to C: by doing the followings: > >- From A, type: sys c: >after system files got transfer to C, do >- Copy all DOS files from floopy A to the directory in drive C >where you have all the DOS files of the old version. >- Check the "config.sys" and "autoexec.bat" to make sure all >device drivers and command syntax compatibility of the two versions. >- Make sure the new "command.com" is replaced if you keep it >in the root directory. WAIT!!!!! Don't take this advice.... when you change DOS versions, you MUST reformat the ENTIRE DISK. (a low level format is not needed, but a DOS level format is!) if you do not, you will screw yourself beyond all belief... you see, DOS 3.x uses 2k clusters (the smallest block of data that can be written) and DOS 2.x uses 8k clusters.. When you boot up with 3.x, if it even recognizes a hard disk with 2.x it will clobber it if you access the drive. ALSO: when you back up your hard disk, DO NOT back up the DOS 2.1 programs (DISKCOPY.COM, FORMAT.COM, CHKDSK.COM, .... etc. ) because although most of them check to see which DOS version you are currently using, some don't and try to read/write >2k clusters and WHAMMO! they clobber your drive... REMEMBER: when upgrading DOS versions (major versions) you MUST reformat! I have been zapped by this: and have helped a great many customers with thier check books as a service tech @ a computer store to help them fix the problem/recover their data from this accident! /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */ DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the above text are written in stone. (although this doesn't mean they are correct, mine, or anybody elses so there! !inhp1!convex!cuddy - Mike Cuddy, CONVEX Computer Corp. Richardson, Texas /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */