Win 3.1 boot disk needed....urgent

Go to any computer that runs and format a floppy with the system files.

FORMAT A: /S is the DOS command.  From Win9x just make sure you include the system files checkbox.

The above will make a bootable drive.

Now, If the machine boots and Windows 3x doexn't run when you enter the WIN command, then you have a different problem.

Let me know

Harry
HDWilkins@aol.com

I think you need to clarify your question better.

As stated Windows 3.1 is an application (more striclty a GUI).  It runs on top of DOS which is an operating system.

With Windows 95 you get the GUI and the operating system combined together.

You do not get a bootdisk for Windows 3.1, you get a bootdisk to start DOS.  Once DOS has started then you can start Windows by typing in WIN as stated earlier.

What you may be asking for is a setup disk for Windows 3.1 which is used to install Windows.  Is this what you are asking for?

Or are you asking how to get Windows 3.1 running from DOS?

Thanks everyone

I did not know that I could make a system disk on a PC running Win95 and use it to boot a PC running Win 3.1. I will try this. The problem is that a friend has an old PC that he has not used for a good while, when he tried to boot up he does not get to the A:\, so I presume it is not reading the Boot files from the hard drive. I am afraid the hard drive is bust. After about 2 minutes the message "Hard drive init failed"appears on the screen.

I wanted to boot up in dos and Dir the C drive, then I could be sure if the Hard Drive can be read or not.

I downloaded a boot disk from www,bootdisk.com but it did not boot from this disk.

I will make a boot disk from my own PC and try this out on Friday.

Thanks again everyone for your help especially HDWILKINS

What your problem really sounds like is that the BIOS backup battery has died. If that is the case, even a boot disk may not do anything. Depending on how old the system is, and also who made it, there are several ways of getting into the BIOS to make the necessary changes. If you aren't familiar with making these changes, or don't feel comfortable doing it, you may have to ask someone who is. Usually when a PC sits around for a long time, the batteries that power the system configuration BIOS die, and then the motherboard on power-up starts with the default settings. (Which are usually wrong for your system).

To get into most BIOS setup screens, you need to press DEL when the system is going through the memory test count. You will then be presented with A screen where you can choose which part of the BIOS you need to configure. Most parameters you can change are in the main screen. (One word of note: If you don't recognize what it's asking for, don't change it!) In the main screen , youu can usually set the system clock, tell it what kind of floppy drives are in the system, and sometimes (if you're lucky) have it search for the hard drive parameters. Unfortunately, if you do manage to get the machine up and running, when you shut it down, you will have the same problems next time, since the battery will still be dead.

Unless your a lucky one, and the battery that holds the BIOS is a standard type (Either 2-4 AA batteries in a plastic holder, mounted inside the case near the back, or a large Coin cell in a socket), you'll have to take the computer to a local computer shop and have them unsolder and resolder in a replacement battery.

Diaz, have you resolved this problem?

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Wlennon

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