MS-DOS 6.0 Installation/Partitioning Sequence Q&A (96847)
The information in this article applies to:
• Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
This article was previously published under Q96847
SUMMARY
• Q. How can I repartition my hard disk into one large partition?
A. Changing your hard disk from multiple partitions to a single
partition involves backing up your data files, repartitioning
your hard disk, and then restoring your data files. To do this,
you must use the Fdisk program. The section titled "Using Fdisk
to Configure Your Hard Disk" on pages 204-216 of the "Microsoft
MS-DOS 6 User's Guide" contains instructions for repartitioning
your hard disk. For specific instructions about backing up your
data, repartitioning your hard disk, and restoring your data
files, order Application Note PD0771, "Installation and
Partitioning Sequence Questions & Answers," from Microsoft
Product Support Services.
• Q. When I try to use DoubleSpace to compress drives, I receive the
error "Cannot load SMARTDrive with DoubleSpace." How can I
correct this problem?
A. DoubleSpace is incompatible with versions of SMARTDrive earlier
than version 4.1. If you are using an earlier version of
SMARTDrive, DoubleSpace displays this error message. To correct
this problem, make sure you are loading SMARTDRV.EXE version
4.1, which is included with MS-DOS 6.0.
• Q. I have a hard disk with more than 1024 cylinders. Is there a
way to access and use the entire hard disk?
A. The MS-DOS 6 Upgrade uses the hardware BIOS to read and write
to the hard disk drive. Due to the limitations of the standard
ROM BIOS, MS-DOS accesses only the first 1024 cylinders of a
physical hard disk. If you have formatted your hard disk after
upgrading to MS-DOS 6 and the disk has less space available,
consult your hardware manual or contact your hardware
manufacturer for more information.
• Q. When I run the Fdisk program, it does not recognize all the
disk space on my hard disk. What is causing this problem?
A. Fdisk relies on the BIOS to report the hard disk size. If Fdisk
incorrectly reports that your hard disk is smaller than it
actually is, either your BIOS is set for the wrong drive type
(that is, it is set incorrectly or it does not support your
specific drive's dimensions), or your drive has more than 1024
cylinders.
Contact your hardware manufacturer to determine if your BIOS is
set correctly. If it is not, correcting the setting should
allow Fdisk to recognize the entire hard disk. If your BIOS
does not support your drive type, and your hard disk doesn't
exceed 1024 cylinders, you may need to order a new BIOS from
your hardware manufacturer. For more information, contact your
hardware manufacturer.
| Modification Type: |
Major |
Last Reviewed: |
11/19/1999 |
| Keywords: |
kbinfo KB96847 |
|