Microsoft KB Archive/64598

FORMAT /s in MS-DOS 3.30 needs COMMAND.COM in Root PSS ID Number: Q64598 Article last modified on 07-14-1993 PSS database name: O_MSDOS

3.20 3.21 3.30 3.30a

MS-DOS

Summary:

When FORMATting a floppy disk with the /s (system) switch, under the Microsoft MS-DOS Packaged Product versions 3.20 through 3.30a, the file COMMAND.COM must be in the root directory of the primary partition of the hard disk or the floppy disk (boot drive). If this is not done, you are prompted to insert a DOS disk before MS-DOS can format the new disk.

More Information:

This problem occurs even if you have the SHELL statement in your CONFIG.SYS file or the COMSPEC statement in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft MS-DOS versions 3.20, 3.21, 3.30, and 3.30a. This problem does not occur in later versions of MS-DOS.

Additional reference words: 3.3 3.2 noupd

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.