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Missing MSDOS.SYS file

By Digital_DNA ·
Question,

I was board last night so in the name of science I figured I'd run a couple experiments on my Win98 Machine. I deliberately deleted the IO.SYS from the root directory to see what would happen. After deleting it I successfully restoredthe file using a Windows 98 boot disk by using the SYS c: command.

I decided to try this with the MSDOS.SYS file as well. Upon getting my error message I tried to use the same method to restore the system files. Guess what, It restored them but I still couldn't boot the computer. Upon checking the C:\MSDOS.SYS file, (created by the boot disk) I discovered that the only line was ";W98EBD" which would explain why I still couldn't boot.

I tried four different methods of restoring including; using the copy command to restore the original. I made a copy of it before deleting. I eventually had to retype the entire MSDOS.SYS (line by line) to get the computer to boot. I know there must be an easier way of doing this.

Question:why can't I use the Copy command to copy the MSDOS.SYS from the A: to the C:. I tried several commands: a:\copy msdos.sys\*.* c: nothing seemed to work. Is it possible to do this? I even tried renaming the file to MSDOS.OLD thinking it might havesomething to do with the fact that its a system file (possible in use when I booted from the boot disk).
I used a:\attrib MSDOS.SYS -h -r -s so I know that the System, hidden and read-only attribute was not the reason I couldn't copy. Can someone provide any incite into to this problem?

EBCDIC

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Missing MSDOS.SYS file

by TheChas In reply to Missing MSDOS.SYS file

First, I think that you have your DOS Copy command a little bit off.

To copy one file from the A: drive to the C: drive, all you need from the A: prompt is
copy msdos.sys c:
or copy msdos.sys c:\msdos.sys

It does not hurt to first verify that the path on the C: drive is the root, or target folder.

Then, ANY file with the extension of SYS is part of the command structure of your PC.
As you learned, do not delete or modify these files without backing them up.

Chas

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Missing MSDOS.SYS file

by Digital_DNA In reply to Missing MSDOS.SYS file

TheChas,

Thanks for the infomation. You are right on when you said my "Copy Command looks to be a little off".. I deleted it again and tried the "copy msdos.sys c:" command and it worked.

Enjoy the points,
Thanks again
EBCDIC

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Missing MSDOS.SYS file

by wlbowers In reply to Missing MSDOS.SYS file

That will teach you to play around with your
system without a backup.
You have to sys the drive to get it installed.
YOU CAN NOT COPY THE THREE SYSTEM
FILES TO A DRIVE. Some times a restore to a
drive requires a sys to get it going again.You will have to get the boot disk that has the
same version that you need and sys your drive
or reinstall.

As Foster Brooks says: "Don't do that Bill"

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Missing MSDOS.SYS file

by Digital_DNA In reply to Missing MSDOS.SYS file

Thanks anyway, lol

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Missing MSDOS.SYS file

by Digital_DNA In reply to Missing MSDOS.SYS file

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