Unable to execute some DOS Commands after XP Reinstall

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Grimes
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Jim Grimes

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After I did a clean re-install of XP, I found that I could no longer see any
ICON for MS-DOS (I can still get to DOS thru the Run command); and the
computer does not recognize some DOS commands (I can't format a floppy disk,
for example). Can anyone point me in the right direction for an answer to
this problem? As far as I can tell, the reinstall has shown no other
problems. The missing Icon is not a huge problem, but I suspect its absence
is related to the inability to run certain DOS command.
 
Re: Unable to execute some DOS Commands after XP Reinstall

The date and time was 8/20/2008 3:38 PM, and on a whim, Jim Grimes
pounded out on the keyboard:

> After I did a clean re-install of XP, I found that I could no longer see any
> ICON for MS-DOS (I can still get to DOS thru the Run command); and the
> computer does not recognize some DOS commands (I can't format a floppy disk,
> for example). Can anyone point me in the right direction for an answer to
> this problem? As far as I can tell, the reinstall has shown no other
> problems. The missing Icon is not a huge problem, but I suspect its absence
> is related to the inability to run certain DOS command.

Hi Jim,

Are you opening a command prompt (not DOS) using cmd?

If so, at a prompt, type format /?
Do you get any info?

--
Terry R.

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RE: Unable to execute some DOS Commands after XP Reinstall

Why would you want to go to DOS shell, to format a floppy, just use windows
explorer and right click on the floppy and choose format!

"Jim Grimes" wrote:

> After I did a clean re-install of XP, I found that I could no longer see any
> ICON for MS-DOS (I can still get to DOS thru the Run command); and the
> computer does not recognize some DOS commands (I can't format a floppy disk,
> for example). Can anyone point me in the right direction for an answer to
> this problem? As far as I can tell, the reinstall has shown no other
> problems. The missing Icon is not a huge problem, but I suspect its absence
> is related to the inability to run certain DOS command.
 
Re: Unable to execute some DOS Commands after XP Reinstall

The date and time was 8/20/2008 3:38 PM, and on a whim, Jim Grimes
pounded out on the keyboard:

> After I did a clean re-install of XP, I found that I could no longer see any
> ICON for MS-DOS (I can still get to DOS thru the Run command); and the
> computer does not recognize some DOS commands (I can't format a floppy disk,
> for example). Can anyone point me in the right direction for an answer to
> this problem? As far as I can tell, the reinstall has shown no other
> problems. The missing Icon is not a huge problem, but I suspect its absence
> is related to the inability to run certain DOS command.

Jim,

I forgot to mention, also at a prompt type path and press Enter. Do you
see c:\windows\system32\ in the path (drive letter may vary)?
Format.com is a program in the system32 folder and without it being in
the path, it won't be found.

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
Re: Unable to execute some DOS Commands after XP Reinstall


"Jim Grimes" <Jim Grimes@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:24C73561-9D3E-45BB-9848-BECD5CCFE185@microsoft.com...
> After I did a clean re-install of XP, I found that I could no longer see
> any
> ICON for MS-DOS (I can still get to DOS thru the Run command); and the
> computer does not recognize some DOS commands (I can't format a floppy
> disk,
> for example). Can anyone point me in the right direction for an answer to
> this problem? As far as I can tell, the reinstall has shown no other
> problems. The missing Icon is not a huge problem, but I suspect its
> absence
> is related to the inability to run certain DOS command.

The Command Prompt icon should be in Start>Programs>Accessories.
Are you saying it's not there?
 
Re: Unable to execute some DOS Commands after XP Reinstall

Yes - the icon is not there. There is a black square with "run" in it for
the dos command prompt. To the person who suggested the path was the key to
the inability to recognize the format command - you were right. I had
executed a path command in a batch file prior to trying to format a disk. So
thanks very much for that information. To the person who suggested
formatting from Windows - thanks, but that really wasn't the problem. Years
ago, I wrote a large dos application which I still use to manage financial
information. The thing that led to this problem was, after reinstalling XP,
and invoking this application in DOS, I was unable to effectively size the
DOS window, or alternatively, to size things properly in full screen mode.
Somehow, I think the absence of the MS DOS icon is tied in with the problem -
and I thought someone might have a solution. Thanks to all who answered.

"Ian D" wrote:

>
> "Jim Grimes" <Jim Grimes@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:24C73561-9D3E-45BB-9848-BECD5CCFE185@microsoft.com...
> > After I did a clean re-install of XP, I found that I could no longer see
> > any
> > ICON for MS-DOS (I can still get to DOS thru the Run command); and the
> > computer does not recognize some DOS commands (I can't format a floppy
> > disk,
> > for example). Can anyone point me in the right direction for an answer to
> > this problem? As far as I can tell, the reinstall has shown no other
> > problems. The missing Icon is not a huge problem, but I suspect its
> > absence
> > is related to the inability to run certain DOS command.
>
> The Command Prompt icon should be in Start>Programs>Accessories.
> Are you saying it's not there?
>
>
>
 
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