KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q101763: MS-DOS Err Msg: "Unrecoverable Error" Returning to MS-DOS 5.x

Article: Q101763
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:6.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 22-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system version 6.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

After upgrading to MS-DOS 6.0 from MS-DOS 5.x, one way to return to MS-DOS 5.x
is to use the Uninstall disk created during the MS-DOS 6.0 upgrade process.
However, if the Uninstall disk is unavailable and you decide to follow the
instructions on the original MS-DOS 5.x upgrade disk by running the Setup
program, you may receive the following message:

  UNRECOVERABLE ERROR
  Cannot identify your version of DOS.
  Returning to DOS.
  Press ENTER to continue.

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, reboot your machine with a startup disk containing
system files of MS-DOS (version 2.11 to 5.x) and then run the Setup program for
MS-DOS 5.x.

Additional query words: 6.00 4.0 4.01 5.0 5.0a 5.00 5.00a

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS600
Version           : MS-DOS:6.0

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.