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09/09/2007 at 11:38AM PDT, ID: 22816356
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6.8

Very old IBM PC no longer displays its DOS prompt

Asked by petemetzger in Hard Drives & Storage, MS DOS

Tags: basic, ibm, pc

I just  powered up my (second) computer again and  I couldn't get a command prompt. Instead I got the normal notice which says:

"The IBM Basic V C1.10 @1981"  and on the task bar at the bottom all 10 function keys appear highlighted and with their separate functions noted such as List, Run, Load, Save and so forth.

My problem is that I can't get the normal command prompt to appear, only a blinking cursor. Whatever DOS command I insert at that point is rejected with the error message "syntax error". When I hit each function key, it will display the function it's listed with and an "OK" below it, but then it just sits there doing nothing more. How can I get the DOS prompt to appear?

As for the possibility that over the past 25 years the magnetic media might have become corrupted, I have an almost identical computer next to it and it displays and works DOS just fine. Both computers are operating from identical Kamerman 10Mb Hard Drives. The second computer is a "PC's Limited" (now Dell) and is a few years younger than the IBM.

Nevertheless, I suppose that enough time has passed such that the IBM's hard drive could have degenerated. After all, I have many VHS tapes from those days which have become unplayable,  their vertical sync signal just wiped out.

But I have a feeling that isn't the problem. I have forgotten by now, but how can I access the BIOS of these old machines? Maybe I could fix it there.
[+][-]09/09/07 11:46 AM, ID: 19857626

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About this solution

Zones: Hard Drives & Storage, MS DOS
Tags: basic, ibm, pc
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Solution Provided By: ChiefIT
Participating Experts: 4
Solution Grade: A
 
 
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