Number 195 - August 1999

Creating a Boot Disk
from the Beginner's Corner, May 1999 NewsByte, Tri-County Computer Club
Boot disks: They're the salvation of many computer users. However, many users don't have them. In this article we will show you how to create a boot disk on a PC running DOS or Windows 95 or Windows 98. The boot disk must be made in the A: drive.    MS-DOS/Windows 3.x Computers: First off, if your computer is running Windows 3.x, you need to exit by choosing File/Exit and go to the MS-DOS prompt.     You need one blank diskette. Any data left on the diskette should be erased. If the diskette is not blank, delete all the files by entering the command     DEL A:\*.*     The system files tend to take up a large amount of space, so it helps to have as much space available as possible. Then, enter the command     SYS A:     This will transfer all the system files to the diskette. If you want to format the diskette, the command     FORMAT A: /S will also transfer the system files.     Be sure to use your boot disk and test to be sure that it works and if applicable, your CD-ROM drive works. You can do this by following the instructions in the next column.     Once you've tested everything, move the tab on the diskette (or add the sticker) so that the diskette is read only.	Windows 95/98 Computers: You will need one blank diskette. Insert it in your A: drive. Any data on the diskette should be deleted to be sure you have plenty of space for all of the system files.     If you want to delete all of your diskette's files, start by going to Windows Explorer (Start/Programs/ Windows Explorer), click on the A: drive in the left pane, highlight all the files and press the Delete key. Close Windows Explorer. Next, or if your diskette is blank, go to Control Panel (Start - Settings - Control Panel) and click on Add/Remove Programs. Pick the Startup Disk tab. Click on the button there, and follow the prompts. You may need your Windows CD or diskettes.     If you are running Windows 98, the diskette may already have the drivers for your CD-ROM drive. If you test the diskette by booting with it and it doesn't find your CD-ROM, or if you are running Windows 95, you will have to follow the directions shown below. After you have settled any CD-ROM issues, add the sticker or slide the tab to make your diskette read-only.     CD-ROM Drives: If you need specific CD-ROM drivers, you will need to copy and paste CD-ROM references from the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files in your C: drive's root directory. Delete references to drives and directories (e.g. C:\DOS\MSCDEX becomes MSCDEX). You will need to locate the drivers on your hard disk and copy them to the boot disk. Be sure to test the boot disk once you're done!     E-mail us at webmaster@tricountycc.org.
Number 195 - August 1999