What files are neccesary to make a disk bootable?

[layne151]

I am not interested in the files that load cd rom drivers or mouse drivers, just the essential ones that MUST be there in order for the disk to be bootable?

 

[DAM]

autoexec
command
extract
fdisk
findramd
format
setramd


these are the ones that i have on the boot disk that i use. there are also alot of hidden files.




dam()

 

[Workin']

You only need these 3 files:

command.com
msdos.sys (hidden)
io.sys (hidden)

 

[layne151]

thanks what is drvspace.bin for?

 

[Regulator]

drvspace.binis for compressed drives. You might also see dblspace.bin or something similar which is also for compressed drives.

 

[AndyHui]

You need more than just files....you need the MBR to be bootable on the disk.

For a "bare" bootdisk, go into the DOS Prompt, insert a blank, formatted floppy disk and type sys a:. It will create the MBR, and copy the 3 required files, io.sys, msdos.dos and command.com

 

[vi edit]

or, you can just pull up a dos prompt and type in "sys a:"

 

[vi edit]

dammit! too slow 😛

 

[AndyHui]

vi_edit: hehehe....😛