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Q284943: How to Create a Windows 95 Startup Disk in MS-DOS

Article: Q284943
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): 1,2,2.1,2.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): osr2 win95
Last Modified: 29-JUN-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 95 
- Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release, versions 1, 2, 2.1, 2.5 
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SUMMARY
=======

This article describes how to create a Windows 95 Startup disk in MS-DOS.

This article is based on the assumption that the system files on the hard drive
are in good condition, and are not corrupted, or that you have access to a
functioning Windows 95-based computer.

MORE INFORMATION
================

1. Restart the computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press
  F8, and then choose Command Prompt Only on the Startup menu, or open an
  MS-DOS window inside of Windows 95.

2. Insert a blank, non-write protected floppy disk in the floppy disk drive (if
  you use a disk that has any data on it, the data will be lost).

3. Type the following commands, pressing ENTER after each command. Do not
  include the comments that are included in parentheses.

  "format a: /s" (without the quotation marks) (this will copy over
  Command.com, IO.sys, Msdos.sys, and if the hard drive is compressed,
  Drvspace.bin)

  "copy c:\windows\command\attrib.exe a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\chkdsk.exe a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\debug.exe a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\edit.com a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\fdisk.exe a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\format.com a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\scandisk.exe a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\scandisk.ini a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\sys.com a:" (without the quotation marks)

  "copy c:\windows\command\drvspace.bin a:" (without the quotation marks)
  (format /s will copy this over if the drive is compressed)

  "copy c:\windows\regedit.exe a:" (without the quotation marks)

4. Uninstal.exe is found in the Win95_02.cab file, and it must be extracted.
  This file is only needed if you are planning on uninstalling Windows 95.

For additional information about how to extract files, click the article number
below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q129605 How to Extract Original Compressed Windows Files

5. Ebd.sys is an empty file that is included on the EBD made by Windows, but it
  is not necessary.

For additional information about the contents of the Windows 95 Startup disk,
click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge
Base:

  Q142943 Contents of Windows 95 and Microsoft Plus! Startup Disks

Additional query words: ebd emergency boot disk

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Keywords          : osr2 win95 
Technology        : kbWin95search kbOPKSearch kbWin95 kbWin95OPKOSR2 kbWin95OPKOSR25 kbWin95OPKOSR1 kbWin95OPKOSR210
Version           : :1,2,2.1,2.5
Issue type        : kbhowto

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