[comp.graphics] MS-DOS vs. IBM DOS, help wanted

ghuang@umvlsi.ecs.umass.edu (Guyang Huang) (08/02/90)

Hi There, I need some technical help again.

I've tried to upgrade my dos version on my IBM AT 286 clone. I have a
MS-Dos 3.3 currently and I got an IBM Dos 4.01 from a friend. I had
problem to upgrade since these two dos have some difference. But I don't
want to spend more than $120 to buy a MS-dos 4.0. Is there any way to
upgrade a Ms-dos with an IBm Dos without re-formatting my hard drive
first? I like the dos 4.01 very much but just hesitate to rebuild my
hard drive. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks in avance.



Matthew Huang

hh2@prism.gatech.EDU (HAAS) (08/02/90)

In article <1132@umvlsi.ecs.umass.edu> ghuang@umvlsi.ecs.umass.edu (Guyang Huang) writes:
>
>I've tried to upgrade my dos version on my IBM AT 286 clone. I have a
>MS-Dos 3.3 currently and I got an IBM Dos 4.01 from a friend. I had
>problem to upgrade since these two dos have some difference. But I don't
>want to spend more than $120 to buy a MS-dos 4.0. Is there any way to
>upgrade a Ms-dos with an IBm Dos without re-formatting my hard drive
>first? I like the dos 4.01 very much but just hesitate to rebuild my
>hard drive. Any suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks in avance.
>

I have 'upgraded' from MS-DOS 3.3 to IBM DOS 4.0 by simply using the
SYS command to transfer the system to the hard drive. HOWEVER, this
will not re-partition the hard drive, so you're still stuck with
a partition that is 32MB or less.  It is my opinion that the largest
or perhaps the only reasons to switch to DOS 4.0 are:

1.) Have disk partitions greater than 32 MB.
   -or-
2.) Software compatibility.

If YOUR reason is #1, then your going to have to re-format your hard
disk ANYWAY. When you consider that DOS 4.0 takes up more of your
base (640k) memory than previous relesses, your may want to stay with
DOS 3.3. I know many people who prefer 3.3 for that very reason.
But if you need Big disks and 4.0, bite the bullet and repartition.

Good luck . .

-- 
Harry Haas  GTRI/RAIL/TDD        "What makes it DO that!?" - Bones 
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp:	  ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!hh2
Internet: hh2@prism.gatech.edu             HHaas@GTRI01.GATECH.EDU

dailma@microsoft.UUCP (Dail Magee, Jr.) (08/08/90)

In article <1132@umvlsi.ecs.umass.edu> ghuang@umvlsi.ecs.umass.edu (Guyang Huang) writes:
>                                             . . . Is there any way to
> upgrade a Ms-dos with an IBm Dos without re-formatting my hard drive
> first? . . .

Although I have not checked IBM's PC-DOS 4.01 specifically, I know
that MS-DOS 4.01 can be installed _without_ reformatting the hard
disk--a nice and most welcome touch.  (Just the same, backup your
entire hard disk before updating your system.  I love computers,
but I trust 'em as far as I can throw 'em.)

(Note:  I work for Microsoft, but I do not speak for Microsoft.
'Nother words, blame me, not my employer.  On second thought, don't
blame me, either.  :-)

:-( Dail Magee, Jr. - Microsoft Press - One Microsoft Way - Redmond, WA - USA
8-) Internet:  dailma@microsoft!beaver.cs.washington.edu
;-) UUCP:  ...!uunet!microsoft!dailma  (I think; try it)
*-( Disclaimer:  These are my opinions; if you don't like 'em, I disclaim 'em.