Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

No Operating System

Feb 2, 2004 3:39PM PST

I recently acquired an old HP PC. It was bought new by my parents in 1999 and had Windows 98 on it. The Windows was corrupt and there were no back-up disks available. So, I bought it (cheap) and decided that I would use this PC to run the Linux OS.

I attempted to format the hard drive. I started by running fdisk. It was there that I made a mistake. Basically, I deleted my entire C:\ Partition. Now, there is nothing on the hard drive. When it starts, I can hit F1 and get into the HP system screen but when I exit, it states "No operating System". Not even MS-DOS. I made a boot disk from my primary computer and tried it. It starts up on A:\ and I can see the directory of the boot disk but that isn't helping me. There is no MS-DOS operating system. Or is there?

If I completely erased everything on the hard drive, is it now worthless?

When you buy a hard drive do they come pre installed with DOS?

I guess I could purchase a reasonable cheap 40 GB hard drive for around $70.00.

I was just wondering if there was any way to salvage this system?

I never really thought about what happens to a hard drive if you erase everything, including DOS.

I'll know now, LOL...


The computer is an HP Pavilion 6470z
It has a 12 GB hard drive and 96 MB RAM.
It has a 400 MHZ Processor (Intell Pentium II)
It has a CD-ROM Drive
Iomega Zip Drive (Internal)
Floppy Drive

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:No Operating System
Feb 2, 2004 8:03PM PST

Welcome to installing OSes.

First off, no hard disk I know of boots to DOS when new.

Next, to install Linux, you don't need DOS.

To install DOS, you just FDISK, create your partition with your DOS boot diskette (I make them from a selection from http://www.bootdisk.com) and remember to ...

FORMAT C: /S

But all that is not needed if you were to install Linux.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re:Re:No Operating System
Feb 2, 2004 11:47PM PST

I'm trying that as I write this. I just failed with one boot disk. I recieved the message "Incorrect DOS version"

When I try to dir C:\ it says "Invalid Media Type Reading Drive C:\"

I guess I'll try every version of DOS until I find the right one.

- Collapse -
You'll fix it soon.
Feb 2, 2004 11:53PM PST

"I'm trying that as I write this. I just failed with one boot disk. I recieved the message "Incorrect DOS version""

You didn't share where/what this boot diskette was or where it came from. But the diskettes you can CREATE by runnign the WIN98SE.EXE and others from http://www.bootdisk.com don't give such a message.

"When I try to dir C:\ it says "Invalid Media Type Reading Drive C:\""

That's typical for a hard disk with partition, but not formatted.

"I guess I'll try every version of DOS until I find the right one."

Why not use the one you need?

Bob

- Collapse -
Re:Re:No Operating System
Feb 2, 2004 11:54PM PST

Since you fdisked it, you basically lost the old OS, there's really no way to recover. But, that shouldn't be an issue since you want to use Linux as your new OS. Go back to fdisk and verify you have a partition ready in order to accept Linux. Try this website: http://fdisk.radified.com/ for some tips. Also, make sure the Linux version your using is ready to install, thus make any bootdisks, etc. for its use. I believe you need to read up on the Linux version and see *how* they want things done. If you have a Linux "CD" and its bootable, enable the bios to accept booting from CD as the 1st boot device for an easier install. *NOTE* Linux installs are easier now but they do need that personal touch at times, so review the install procedure under its help guide or manual doc of the version you have.

good luck -----Willy

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:No Operating System
Feb 3, 2004 1:10AM PST

Finally!

I used an ME boot disk and have gotten into the fdisk command screen.

How do I Format C:\?

When I try to create a partition, it states "Primary DOS Partition already exists" When I exit fdisk and type format, it says "Bad command or file name"

I really appreciate all of the info.

I'm basically learning as I go.

This is fun...

- Collapse -
You'll want a 98se boot disk.
Feb 3, 2004 1:36AM PST

Windows ME boot disks don't need to format C: /S since the Windows ME install will do that.

Bob

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:No Operating System
Feb 3, 2004 2:18AM PST

Well, I achieved success.

Thanks for all of the help.

The Fdisk link provided was great.

Reading it, I learned how to properly run fdisk and now I'm currently formating my primamry drive.

You live and you learn and I've learned a lot today.

Thanks again...