How to format using Ms-DOS startup disk(floppy) ?

Answer 1

If it's is an actual MS-DOS disk it will not be able to format the present day large hard disks ... it will not accurately report their size.

If it is an MS DOS startup disk created with Window XP these are the contents:

AUTOEXEC.BAT
COMMAND.COM
KEYB.COM
MODE.COM
EGA.CPI
EGA2.CPI
EGA3.CPI
CONFIG.SYS
DISPLAY.SYS
IO.SYS
KEYBOARD.SYS
KEYBRD2.SYS
KEYBRD3.SYS
KEYBRD4.SYS
MSDOS.SYS

There is no format command or utility included on the floppy.
I suggest you download this free format & partition utility...easy to use :

Partition Logic is a free hard disk partitioning and data management tool. It can create, delete, format, defragment, resize, and move partitions and modify their attributes.

http://partitionlogic.org.uk/

It boots from a CD or floppy disk and runs as a standalone system, independent of your regular operating system.

regards,
Philip T

Answer 2

If you're using a Windows Xp SP2


To create an MS-DOS startup disk
The MS-DOS startup disk you create will allow you to boot into MS-DOS.

Insert a floppy disk into your computer's floppy drive.
Open My Computer, and then click the floppy disk drive to select it.
On the File menu, point to the name of the floppy drive, and then click Format.
Under Format options, click Create an MS-DOS startup disk.
Click Start.

if you are in ms dos at a: prompt type format c:

Answer 3

First use a bootable Windows 98 CD and boot to DOS first. then type "format c:" and press Enter. This will help you to format c:\ and then type "cd setup" and run Windows 98 setup to install. When you are done, insert Windows 2000 Pro CD and go to the setup screen. You can install into a different partition. With this done, you will be prompted which OS you would like to boot into, whenever you boot up your PC.

Answer 4

At the A:\ prompt, type FORMAT C: then hit enter. Follow the directions on screen.

Answer 5

format a: (or b: or c:, etc.) /u