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Oldies but Goodies - Autoexec.bat and config.sys boot files |
Note # 1: At the time this
article was written DOS was a viable option for working on your computer.
However since the floppy drive is no longer being supported by computer
manufactures you will need to use a
virtual floppy to create the media
needed to complete your task of creating a boot USB device or a bootable CD
/DVD instead of the floppy.
Note # 2:
Before you start on your
adventure with DOS read entire this page, it may save you some work and heartache searching for
drivers.
These two boot files tell the computer what to do when it
starts, loads cd/dvd or usb device drivers for access to those devices in DOS.
To use these examples copy and paste to Notepad. Do not use Word or any other
word processing program, the file will not work. Also see the note at the bottom
of the page on device drivers.
Autoexec.bat and config.sys boot file examples:
CD/DVD ROM files:
Autoexec.bat
@echo off
cls
MSCDEX.EXE /D:IDECD001 /L:E
Config.sys
DEVICE=A:\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
DEVICEHIGH=A:\XXXXX.XXX
/D:IDECD001
files=30
buffers=30
Note: You will have to find the appropriate driver for
your usb or cd/dvd rom drive, I can not supply all the drivers out there because
there a literally millions!
You will also need to find these two files, from your hard drive or search Microsoft for the names:
HIMEM.SYS
MSCDEX.EXE
Note: Insure that you have the same version of these files as the version of DOS
you used to make the bootable device.
Add the driver files to the floppy with those above.
Autoexec.bat and config.sys
- creating
boot file :
Where I have put the
XXXXX.XXX
is where you paste your driver name, be sure to copy the actual driver file to
the floppy, do not create any folders (or directories) on the floppy, it will
cause a boot time error if the drivers are in a separate folder (or directory).
When you find your drivers there should
be a text file called readme or something similar, check for the line that reads
DEVICE=A:\XXXXX.XXX
/D:IDECD001, you are looking for the part that reads: /D:xxxxxxxx that will be
the drive parameter for MSCDEX.EXE to find the driver when it loads, copy the
line and past it after the /D: in both the files. Save
both files and then copy them with the other files to the floppy. Test the
floppy, when you start the system you should be at the a: prompt, it will look
like this: a black screen with a A:\ Next you need to test the drivers and
insure you can access the cd/dvd or usb drive. The drive will be E: for the
cd/dvd or the usb drive, type D: at the prompt, press enter.
Do you have E:\ or
an error? If you have a E:\ then
you are done.
Congratulations!
If on the other hand you have an error you
need to look at the syntax (how the command is formed) for the cd/dvd or usb
driver in both files to insure they
are correctly typed.
You will find more instructions boot
files and Batch Files in the
Self Computer Repair Unleashed! 2nd Edition
Now you have access to the computer without going into the installed OS. This
opens a new set of opportunities for you.
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