Hi all,

In XP Pro I have a 1GB usbstick with BootFlashDos formatted to get a DOS prompt.

Normal,i think, is to get a C:> promt,but on one PC i get a A:> prompt.

Is this common or is it something different?


Greetz wanderer

It is common and different.

Some machines BIOS will see the stick as "superfloppy" (and give the A:\ drive letter).

You may want to experiment with other partitioning/formatting tools.

"BootFlashDos" is the "companion" app to PeTousb:
http://gocoding.com/page.php?al=bootflashdos

It was coded in 2005 and it unfortunately shows it's age.

Compare with:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=24066

Try RMPREPUSB:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9460

IF RMPREPUSB partitioned stick does not work on that machine assigning drive C:\, you may want to try FBINST.

Another option is to experiment with Letter Assigner:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showto...18623&st=61

jaclaz

RMPrepUSB > http://sites.google.com/site/rmprepusb/

Given link, containing besides OTHER applications, and the mentioned FBINST:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9460


http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=7739


jaclaz

It's not necessary to read the complete history of the app just to download it from the Google site. The Google link is more direct and quicker.

Meanwhile I have used HPUSBFW.exe with a win98se boot disk and get the same result, so it looks like jaclaz says




wanderer

Sure , but I was recommending to use EITHER RMPREPUSB OR FBINST, and more generally was talking about newer (maybe "better") apps, in other words, I was trying to give wanderer different options, INCLUDING RMPREPUSB (actually EVERY possible option BUT using HPUSBFW.EXE, which was what he obviously did , only to find out I was right - which is the normality ).

BTW, when using an app for the first time, it is usually useful to have a reference to the board thread where it was developed, and troubleshooted.
Sometimes shortcuts take more time than the main, long way.


jaclaz

As I reported earlier, I have my answer already

I find this somewhat confusing.

If you mean here "except" HPUSBFW.EXE ,its on top of the site you gave

http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showtopic=24066

It did work and as follows.


Formatted as MS-Dos bootable > FAT 16 > Boot as FDD gives A:\>

Formatted as MS-Dos bootable > FAT 16 > Boot as Zip gives Disk I/O error

Formatted as MS-Dos bootable > FAT 16 > Boot as HDD gives C:\>


wanderer

Look, I'm (particularly) in grumpy mode right now , but that thread was referenced through a "Compare with:".
The essence of that thread is about the fact that Juan insists to use OBSOLETE USB partitioning/formatting utilities INSTEAD of using more recent, bettered ones.
The thread goes on trying to explain how the HPUSBFW.EXE is likely to produce "defective" partitioning/formatting that NEEDS to be "corrected" in order to boot on a wider set of systems.

Following there was a DIRECT suggestion to try using:
1. RMPREPUSB
and (in the case the above didn't work):
2. FBINST

What did you try first thing?
3. HPBUSBFW.EXE (BTW without ANY of the needed "corrections")

I feel entitled to affirm that you had ALL the basic info needed to NOT trying the HPUSBFW.EXE as first thing (though you are of course perfectly free to do so , and it is actually a good thing , so that you were able to find yourself how my suggestions were correct )



Good.

jaclaz

I have,and still do,the combination of the above phrases explained as if the program provided on the site would be better.

Sorry for my possible misunderstanding and thanks for all your effort.


wanderer

No prob, main thing is that you managed to boot correctly on that stoopid BIOS.

jaclaz