MSDOS 3.3 SELECT.EXE switches

Post by Julian Cann
I am installing MSDOS 3.3 onto Virtual PC 2007.
Can anyone tell me the switch options for the SELECT.EXE installer?
I have only ever used the setup.exe in later DOS versions.
I am planning to install Windows 2.03 onto this build.
--
...
Jules
Brisbane, Australia

There isn't much in the way of switches for SELECT.COM but you can find the
list at http://www.geocities.com/rick_lively/index.htm

Richard Bonner

2008-04-22 12:01:04 UTC

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual(*) and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are axtually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".

Here is the syntax for "UK":

SELECT B: A: 044 UK

Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.

Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/

Julian Cann

2008-04-24 12:07:27 UTC

In article <fukk20$n2r$***@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca>, ***@chebucto.ns.ca
says...

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual(*) and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are axtually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".
SELECT B: A: 044 UK
Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.
Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/

Richard I am trying to install DOS on the C: drive in preparation for
Windows 2.03.
After the select command I always get an invalid drive spec for C: as
the destination drive.
I have tried fdisk and format for C: but have had to use a DOS6.22 boot
disk as the fdisk command in my DOS3.3 disk just seems to hang. Is
DOS3.3 16 bit or maybe less, hence the DOS6.22 commands create an
invalid disk format maybe?
regards

--
...
Jules
Brisbane, Australia

Richard Bonner

2008-04-22 12:03:05 UTC

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual(*) and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are actually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".

Here is the syntax for "UK":

SELECT B: A: 044 UK

Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.

Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/

(*) I collect DOS versions and manuals.

R.

Julian Cann

2008-04-24 12:32:41 UTC

In article <fukk5p$n2r$***@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca>, ***@chebucto.ns.ca
says...

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual(*) and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are actually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".
SELECT B: A: 044 UK
Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.
Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/
(*) I collect DOS versions and manuals.
R.

Hi Richard,
thanks again for your help.

Although I have been unsuccessful in installing DOS3.3 I have succeeded
in installing Windows 2.03 over a DOS5 C: drive. That was my ultimate
aim, so I guess I have succeeded but I am left wondering how to install
DOS3.3?
regards

--
...
Jules
Brisbane, Australia

Esra Sdrawkcab

2008-04-24 13:37:36 UTC

Post by Julian Cann
says...

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual(*) and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are actually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".
SELECT B: A: 044 UK
Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.
Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/
(*) I collect DOS versions and manuals.
R.

Hi Richard,
thanks again for your help.
Although I have been unsuccessful in installing DOS3.3 I have succeeded
in installing Windows 2.03 over a DOS5 C: drive. That was my ultimate
aim, so I guess I have succeeded but I am left wondering how to install
DOS3.3?
regards

boot to floppy,
sys c:
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos

edlin c:\config.sys
add, check:

country=044,,c:\dos\country.sys
lastdrive=z
shell=c:\dos\command.com c:\dos /p (check this!)
(stacks, files fcbs)
(also win stuff such as himem.sys amd emm386.exe, and any other device
drivers; personally I ditched the display.sys and chcp, but if you want
to use it, look at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60080)
etc

edlin c:\autoexec.bat
add, check:

path c:\dos;c:\
keyb uk,,c:\dos\keyboard.sys
prompt $P$G
etc

(things were a bit manual in those days, before a lot of automated wizards!)

Richard Bonner

2008-04-24 21:53:38 UTC

Post by Julian Cann
says...

Post by Julian Cann
I am installing MSDOS 3.3 onto Virtual PC 2007.
Can anyone tell me the switch options for the SELECT.EXE installer?
--
Jules
Brisbane, Australia

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are actually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".
SELECT B: A: 044 UK
Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.
Richard Bonner

Hi Richard,
thanks again for your help.

*** You're welcome.

Post by Julian Cann
Although I have been unsuccessful in installing DOS3.3 I have succeeded
in installing Windows 2.03 over a DOS 5 C: drive. That was my ultimate
aim, so I guess I have succeeded

*** Windows versions up to WIN 3.11 For Work Groups should load on any
MS-DOS version from at least 3.00 onward. They will also load on other DOS
versions, but may display error massages courtesy of sleazy Microsoft
putting them there to scare people toward their DOS version.

but I am left wondering how to install DOS 3.3.

*** If you have the install discs, it should install. Maybe the discs
you have are an upgrade or proprietary version.

boot to floppy,
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos

*** Ah-ha! You may need to expand some of the files if they are in
compressed format. If any file extensions contain an underscore, try
EXPAND. Since that did not come out until Version 5, this may not be the
case, though. it's been a long time since I toyed with 3.3.

lastdrive=z

*** Reset this to the actual last drive in your system. You will save
memory.

(things were a bit manual in those days, before a lot of automated wizards!)

*** They were. I like the option, though.

Richard

Esra Sdrawkcab

2008-04-25 08:11:44 UTC

Post by Julian Cann
says...

Post by Julian Cann
I am installing MSDOS 3.3 onto Virtual PC 2007.
Can anyone tell me the switch options for the SELECT.EXE installer?
--
Jules
Brisbane, Australia

Hi Richard,
thanks again for your help.

*** You're welcome.

Post by Julian Cann
Although I have been unsuccessful in installing DOS3.3 I have succeeded
in installing Windows 2.03 over a DOS 5 C: drive. That was my ultimate
aim, so I guess I have succeeded

but I am left wondering how to install DOS 3.3.

*** If you have the install discs, it should install. Maybe the discs
you have are an upgrade or proprietary version.

boot to floppy,
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos

You got there: dos 3.3 didn't have _files or use expand.exe

lastdrive=z

*** Reset this to the actual last drive in your system. You will save
memory.

Recommended if it's a networked PC. It doesn't cost much memory really,
it's just we had to fit so much in under the 640k limit back then.

(things were a bit manual in those days, before a lot of automated wizards!)

*** They were. I like the option, though.

Happy daze!

Richard Bonner

2008-04-25 11:56:46 UTC

but I am left wondering how to install DOS 3.3.

*** If you have the install discs, it should install. Maybe the discs
you have are an upgrade or proprietary version.

boot to floppy,
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos

You got there: dos 3.3 didn't have _files or use expand.exe

*** OK. So what happens when you try to boot from the hard drive?

lastdrive=z

*** Reset this to the actual last drive in your system. You will save
memory.

Recommended if it's a networked PC. It doesn't cost much memory really,

*** I believe it's 80 bytes per letter, and 176 in older DOS versions,
so 23 extra letters means 1,840 - 4,048 bytes. If you are not using an
after-market memory manager, that approximately 2k - 4k might be

Post by Esra Sdrawkcab
it's just we had to fit so much in under the 640k limit back then.

*** True, but as this sounds like a hobby system with DOS 3.3 and WIN 2,
it seems as though that would be a consideration.

Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/

Julian Cann

2008-04-25 01:36:58 UTC

In article <A20Qj.72393$***@newsfe3-win.ntli.net>, ***@127.0.0.1
says...

Post by Julian Cann
says...

*** I am looking in my MS-DOS 3.3 manual(*) and no switches are listed
for "SELECT". As such, I assume you are actually looking for the country
and keyboard codes, but the manual lists neither for Australia. I guess
Microsoft expected you would use "UK" or "US".
SELECT B: A: 044 UK
Note that SELECT expects you to have the DOS install disc in the `A'
drive and a blank disc in the `B' drive. I don't know if it will work any
other way.
Richard Bonner
http://www.chebucto.ca/~ak621/DOS/
(*) I collect DOS versions and manuals.
R.

Hi Richard,
thanks again for your help.
Although I have been unsuccessful in installing DOS3.3 I have succeeded
in installing Windows 2.03 over a DOS5 C: drive. That was my ultimate
aim, so I guess I have succeeded but I am left wondering how to install
DOS3.3?
regards

boot to floppy,
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos
edlin c:\config.sys

Hi Esra,
it seems that whatever I do always returns an invalid drive
spec for my C: drive.
When I boot from the DOS3 floppy I get the change/accept date and time
option then my normal A> prompt.
Using sys C: on a clean unformatted C: disk gives the drive spec.
error.
With a pre-formatted (DOS5 or 6) fdisk/formatted drive also gives the
error.
Both Fdisk and format from my DOS3.3 install floppy accept the commands
then hang with a blinking cursor on the next line.
The contents of the floppy look perfect with DIR, and there are no
underlined file names for compressed files.
I guess I have to assume that my DOS3 floppies are corrupt.
I have installed versions of DOS many times but never lower than V.5

Heh ho what fun. To be honest it isn't critical as I am just going
through a major retro phase and installing earlier and earlier versions
of DOS/Windows purely for the intellectual pleasure. Maybe I have met my
Waterloo with DOS3?
Any further suggestions gratefully received.
regards

--
...
Jules
Brisbane, Australia

Esra Sdrawkcab

2008-04-25 08:15:06 UTC

Post by Julian Cann
says...

Post by Julian Cann
says...

Post by Julian Cann
I am installing MSDOS 3.3 onto Virtual PC 2007.

[]

Post by Julian Cann

Post by Esra Sdrawkcab
boot to floppy,
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos
edlin c:\config.sys

Ah I forgot the fdisk/format stage!

Post by Julian Cann
With a pre-formatted (DOS5 or 6) fdisk/formatted drive also gives the
error.

C primary partition must be less than 32M for DOS 3.3 to see it. (you
can create more secondary ones, using up the alphabet, but these too
must be 32M or less)

Post by Julian Cann
Both Fdisk and format from my DOS3.3 install floppy accept the commands
then hang with a blinking cursor on the next line.
The contents of the floppy look perfect with DIR, and there are no
underlined file names for compressed files.
I guess I have to assume that my DOS3 floppies are corrupt.

Nah, nearly there!

Post by Julian Cann
I have installed versions of DOS many times but never lower than V.5
Heh ho what fun. To be honest it isn't critical as I am just going
through a major retro phase and installing earlier and earlier versions
of DOS/Windows purely for the intellectual pleasure. Maybe I have met my
Waterloo with DOS3?
Any further suggestions gratefully received.
regards

Esra Sdrawkcab

2008-04-25 08:16:28 UTC

Post by Julian Cann

Post by Julian Cann
I am installing MSDOS 3.3 onto Virtual PC 2007.

[]

Post by Julian Cann

Post by Esra Sdrawkcab
boot to floppy,
md c:\dos
copy *.* c:\dos
edlin c:\config.sys

Ah I forgot the fdisk/format stage!

Post by Julian Cann
With a pre-formatted (DOS5 or 6) fdisk/formatted drive also gives the
error.

C primary partition must be less than 32M for DOS 3.3 to see it. (you
can create more secondary ones, using up the alphabet, but these too
must be 32M or less)

AND Formated to FAT16, i.e. do NOT enable large disk support in later
DOS's fdisk

Post by Julian Cann
Both Fdisk and format from my DOS3.3 install floppy accept the
commands then hang with a blinking cursor on the next line.
The contents of the floppy look perfect with DIR, and there are no
underlined file names for compressed files.
I guess I have to assume that my DOS3 floppies are corrupt.

Nah, nearly there!

Post by Julian Cann
I have installed versions of DOS many times but never lower than V.5
Heh ho what fun. To be honest it isn't critical as I am just going
through a major retro phase and installing earlier and earlier
versions of DOS/Windows purely for the intellectual pleasure. Maybe I
have met my Waterloo with DOS3?
Any further suggestions gratefully received.
regards

Richard Bonner

2008-04-25 12:01:37 UTC

Post by Julian Cann
it seems that whatever I do always returns an invalid drive
spec for my C: drive.
When I boot from the DOS3 floppy I get the change/accept date and time
option then my normal A> prompt.
Using sys C: on a clean unformatted C: disk gives the drive spec.
error.

Ah I forgot the fdisk/format stage!

*** Then remember to set the active partition as the `C' drive so the
system will boot.

Post by Esra Sdrawkcab
C primary partition must be less than 32M for DOS 3.3 to see it. (you
can create more secondary ones, using up the alphabet, but these too
must be 32M or less)

*** I had forgotten about that.

Post by Julian Cann
Heh ho what fun. To be honest it isn't critical as I am just going
through a major retro phase and installing earlier and earlier versions
of DOS/Windows purely for the intellectual pleasure. Maybe I have met my
Waterloo with DOS3?

*** Keep trying. It is an educational experience to get those versions
running. Using them will give you a basis for today's versions.

Richard

Julian Cann

2008-04-26 02:05:12 UTC

In article <fush71$13j$***@Kil-nws-1.UCIS.Dal.Ca>, ***@chebucto.ns.ca
says...

Ah I forgot the fdisk/format stage!

*** Then remember to set the active partition as the `C' drive so the
system will boot.

Post by Esra Sdrawkcab
C primary partition must be less than 32M for DOS 3.3 to see it. (you
can create more secondary ones, using up the alphabet, but these too
must be 32M or less)

*** I had forgotten about that.