MS DOS questions!

V

verlon

New Member
Hey, my earlier computer pretty much crashed and it won't open Windows anymore. I am able to access DOS on a repair mode, but that's it.

I have a number of important files in its harddrive, and I'd like to get them out of there before re-installing Windows and losing all my previous files.

I am able to copy files from the C: to a flash drive, but I'm not able to access any directories that have longer two part names (such as My Documents etc.)

I know I can write "cd files" for example to access a directory named Files on C: drive but what commands could I use to access the files on these other directories?

Am I able to, for example, copy all JPG files from all directories to a flash drive by using some command like "copy C: slash something *.jpg f:"?

All help would be much appreciated.
 
In DOS you need to use the old 8.3 file format
ie CD docume~1 <enter>
So you just apply that to all other folders/files that are longer than 8 characters long ;)

By the way, there are much easier ways to backup than doing all this manual work !
There are many BootCDs you can use like Ubuntu live BootCD etc
Or you could just mount the drive as a slave drive in another computer

I hope this helps ;)
 
My tool of choice is this program/disk called BartPE. It's made using a copy of Windows and can be loaded with tons of useful programs. It takes a little work to get it exactly right, but once you configure your own copy, it's a real life saver. It's also great for repairs as it boots to it's own OS and can contain virus/spyware scans. It's much easier than trying to boot an infected machine up :P

But back to your question; what version of DOS are you using? I was thinking any current version essentially eleminted the 8.3 filename system.
 
Hey, thanks for the replies.

I'll definitely try CD docume~1 when I get off from work. If it works, then all my problems are solved. :)

How would I mount the c: to use it as a slave drive? Do I need some external cord for that?
 
And oh, I forgot to mention, I'm not sure what version of DOS I have, but it's on Compaq Presario which I got in 2006. I got a Mac now. :)
 
OS X will natively read NTFS, so you can always mount it in an enclosure and copy files that way. I am assuming your Windows installation is the problem and not your file system?
 
from the dos command line you can type xcopy
'c:/*.jpg/s/' this will include all sub directorys.

Or if you know where they are at the cd c:\
then goto the directory where the pictures are at.
like c:\pictures\*.jpg/s

sorry im rusty. i think ya need the forward slash like in the bottom.
the s switch is for sub directories.

from the dos prompt you can type 'help'.
this should show the switches.
boot disk will give better support though than windows.



there was a time before windows.
nothing but dos and was comfortable with it.
still am, but forgot much.

xcopy c:\*.jpg d:\backup
just thought i would complete it to get it to maybe a external drive.
been a long time.
should work.

command line would be xcopy/? (all the flags) for this command.

help to view all commands.
 
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another proggy i use is ntfsdos. i have the pro ver i bought.
the free ver on a boot disk or cd will allow you access and read the ntfs.
the pro will allow you to delete and copy.
Might want to check wininternals
 
Old days. im thinking it more now. started with msdos 4 and no windows.
Another command of interest was the replace. it will copy missing files to the other directories that are not there.
miss dos. love xp.
works for me.
still a time and place for it.
not much.

cheers...tremmor
bored
 
Hey thanks tremmor for your multiple replies, you can also use "Edit" and add to your post; if your post is still the last post in the thread ;)


verlon said:
How would I mount the c: to use it as a slave drive? Do I need some external cord for that?
Click to expand...
I usually mount old IDE connected drives in place of the CD/DVD Drive inside the Desktop
But you need a minimum amount of experience to remove the side cover, unplug the CD/DVD Drive, and plug in your Hard Drive; then turn on the computer

Once booted up, you can see your drive, in "My Computer" (on a Windows machine)
 
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