VOGONS

Search

Common searches

SYS.COM freezes machine

Topic actions

First post, by kingcake

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

I'm using a syba cf to ide adapter with a 128M industrial cf card in a packard bell.

I can format and read/write to the card all day long without problem.

But if I run sys a: c: to copy dos boot files to the cf card the machine freezes. The activity light on the syba stays lit indefinitely.

I left the machine for hours and it never times out or gives any error.

I verified the CHS with ideinfo and the bios settings are correct.

Any idea of a workaround for this?

Reply 1 of 10, by Warlord

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

try command FDISK /MBR then just manually copy command.com, io.sys and msdos.sys

Although I disagree with using dos for formatting and partitioning solid state media. I use other tool for this.

http://wp.xin.at/archives/1449

Last edited by Warlord on 2020-08-04, 23:17. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 5 of 10, by kingcake

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Warlord wrote on 2020-08-04, 23:15:

try command FDISK /MBR then just manually copy command.com, io.sys and msdos.sys

Although I disagree with using dos for formatting and partitioning solid state media. I use other tool for this.

http://wp.xin.at/archives/1449

partitioning and formatting is not the issue

Reply 8 of 10, by matze79

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank l33t
Rank
l33t

Its called Virus protection some times in bios.

https://www.retrokits.de - blog, retro projects, hdd clicker, diy soundcards etc
https://www.retroianer.de - german retro computer board

Reply 9 of 10, by debs3759

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

BIOS virus/boot protection usually displays a message to ask whether you want to proceed or to say the boot sector is protected. Also, if that was the problem, it would not be possible to format the drive.

See my graphics card database at www.gpuzoo.com
Constantly being worked on. Feel free to message me with any corrections or details of cards you would like me to research and add.

Reply 10 of 10, by kingcake

Posted on 
User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Well I figured out a work around. I installed Ontrack driver overlay to see if it's bios extensions would fix the problem...and they did. With ontrack I can sys, format /s fdisk /mbr all day long no problem.

I hate to use a drive overlay when I don't have to, but it fixes the issue with my bios.

Go to top of page Go to top of page
Back to General Old Hardware
Close window
Close window