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Is The Command Prompt and Dos The Same?

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by it rookie

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I am having problems with the command prompt in XP I try to format a floppy with the /s switch and it's saying that perameter is not recognizeable. Also, does the /s just adds io.sys, command.com and msdos.sys or are there hidden files?

6 replies

by dklippert

1. Insert a floppy disk into your computer's floppy drive.
2. Open My Computer, and then click the floppy disk drive to select it.
3. On the File menu, point to the name of the floppy drive, and then click Format.
4. Under Format options, click Create an MS-DOS startup disk.
5. Click Start.

Also look at:
http://www.bootdisk.com/

by thechas

In a word, NO.

The command prompt allows you to navigate with, and execute some DOS commands.

Since Windows 95, even booting to DOS mode, has not been the same as MSDOS 6.22. Many commands are either missing or have reduced functions.

You can create a bootable floppy from Windows Explorer, or from My Computer by right clicking on the floppy drive.
XP places MANY extra files onto a boot floppy than previous versions of Windows.

At a minimum, you need command.com for a bootable floppy.
You also need to set the boot flag in the MBR on the disk.

I myself still use my W98 system to create bootable floppies.
I will create several before I switch over to XP entirely.

Chas

by thechas

As a side note: XP is the first version of Windows to be "DOS" free.

Any DOS functions are there for 'legacy' support.

The sys command (/s in format) transfers the existing operating system to the target media.

XP does not use the same files for booting as previous versions of Windows, or DOS, so the sys command can not function in XP.

Chas

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