At 12:21 AM 4/19/02 +0100, jfisher wrote the following: >My question is how on earth do Tiny manage to keep their precence on the >computer even after a format. >And of course is there a way to clear Tiny off the computer and install the >normal os.
MBR - Master Boot Record The boot code for any OS is stored here. Many format operations do NOT affect the MBR so in effect whatever startup code is located here stays forever. Primary example of this is when you try to install Linux and Windows, realize that Windows will screw up the boot record, delete the Linux partition, try to install Windows first, oops Windows setup runs into a problem and stops and you go back and forth scratching your head trying to get this resolved. Try the undocumented "fdisk /mbr" command first before formatting the disk. FDISK /MBR Rewrites the Master Boot Record (Q69013) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q69013 If you really want to wipe the boot record use DOS debug. Note: The following advice will completely wipe your Master Boot Record, which contains all your partition information. DO NOT DO THIS unless you know that this is exactly the result you want. Boot with a DOS floppy that has "debug.exe" on it. Execute "debug". At the '-' prompt with are going to "block-fill" a the 512-byte MBR with zeroes: f 9000:0 200 0 Start assember code with the 'a' command, and enter the following code: mov dx,9000 mov es,dx xor bx,bx mov cx,0001 mov dx,0080 mov ax,0301 int 13 int 20 Press Enter key to exit the assembler and press "g" to execute, then "q" to quit. Your hard disk is now in a virgin state, ready for partitioning, formatting and installation of an OS. -- Gerry Boyd ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
