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Batch file from A: to format C: ?

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Well, I’m back!. Still the W2K laptop problem. Now can access A: OK, but I want to format the C: which has W2K on it.
Does any have a batch file that will automatically reformat the c: once it’s booting from A: ?
I have tried unsuccesfully editing batch files, autoexe, com, files etc without luck (I am not experienced in writing batch files).

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Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

In reply to Batch file from A: to format C: ?

Goto bootdisk.com , download a bootdisk with cd rom support.

Install it onto a disk, edit the autoexec.bat file, the very last line type:

format c:\

and hit enter… save it… nothing hard about that at all.

Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

In reply to Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

Well, I failed to mention that the Keyboard had also been tampered with, which is why I wanted something to autoexecute. Your suggestion unfortunately didn’t work. I had to manipulate the autoexec.bat with the copying of the ‘format.com’ to A: then add the line to copy it to C: this worked. But thank you for your response.

Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

In reply to Batch file from A: to format C: ?

Hmm … Once you can access the A:, why can’t you use a W98 boot disk and then use the fdisk utility to erase the non-fat partitions and then rebuilt them?! After that you restart the laptop, using the same floppy disk you format then the c:\ partition.

Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

In reply to Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

Well, I failed to mention that the Keyboard had also been tampered with, which is why I wanted something to autoexecute. Your suggestion unfortunately didn’t work. I had to manipulate the autoexec.bat with copying of the ‘format.com’ to A: then add the line to copy it to C: this worked. I did eventually get to the stage where I could use the fdisk (which I had to also put in the autoexecute file).
But thank you for your response.

Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

In reply to Batch file from A: to format C: ?

Yes, you can edit the autoexec.bat file to include the line:

format c:

at the end of the batch file.

WARNING: having a boot disk automatically do this creates a ticking time bomb.

The first time you install this disk in a PC that you do not want to format, you will regret creating this disk.

Now, which OS do you plan to install onto the hard drive?

And, was the drive formatted as a NTFS volume for W2K?

If you plan to install W2K again, I recommend that you run the tool on the W2K CD and create a boot floppy.

For the most complete cleaning of your hard drive, run fdisk, and delete at least the primary DOS, or non-DOS partition.
Exit fdisk, and re-boot, then run fdisk again, and set up your partitions as desired.

If you are installing W2K, you do not need to format the hard drive before installing.
The installer will ask you how you want to set up your drive.

If you are installing W98, then yes, you need to format the drive before installing Windows.

Start by booting up from the W98 startup disk.
Run fdisk as above.
Then format the C: drive.

With the W98 CD in the drive, run setup from the DOS prompt.

Chas

Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

In reply to Reply To: Batch file from A: to format C: ?

Although I had overcome the problem by the time you responded to my question, I thank you very much for the time & effort you took … as you can see below. (oh, it was W2K but I was trying to load Win98).
Well, I failed to mention that the Keyboard had also been tampered with, which is why I wanted something to autoexecute. Your suggestion unfortunately didn’t work. I had to manipulate the autoexec.bat with copying of the ‘format.com’ to A: then add the line to copy it to C: this worked. I did eventually get to the stage where I could use the fdisk (which I had to also put in the autoexecute file).
Thank you very much for your response

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