Can't access directories from cmd pompt in Win2k

[skipholiday]

I am trying to access my c drive from the cmd prompt.When I get to the a prompt I type in c: and it goes to c. Then I type in dir and it only shows 14 files and 0 directories?
The files I see appear to be the same as the boot disk.I don't see my winnt folder at all.Any solutions would be greatley appreciated.
Thanx
Skipholiday

 

[thecareaga]

if any of those directories are hidden, they will not be seen from the command prompt. i.e.\\C:\winnt$

 

[skipholiday]

None are hidden.
Thanx allot

 

[mattjurado]

I'd double check on that...

CD over to the root of c:, type the following

attrib -r -h -s *.*

Now do a dir (you might get a message about pagefile.sys, ignore it)

Matt J.

P.S. Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[skipholiday]

Maybe I did it wrong, I just went to folder options and checked show hidden files and folders. Do I type just like that?attrib -r -h -s *.*
Thanx allot

 

[BionicJohn]

> attrib -r -h -s *.*

Be careful with that command - if you change the attributes of read-only hidden system files in C:\ and do not reset them, you may find your PC will not boot.

To view the hidden system files from the DOS prompt, use the command DIR /A:HS

For more details of DIR command, enter DIR /? and press the return key.

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[skipholiday]

When I type the dir /a:hs comman it says volume in drive c is ramdrive?
When I type the attrib -r-h-s*.* command it says parameter format not correct.Any other suggestions?
Thanx allot
Skipholiday

 

[mattjurado]

I just typed the command on my 2000 laptop, you should be safe.

Type it just as it appears below...

attrib -r -h -s *.*

Not there are spaces between -r -h and -s, and then another space, then *.*

Matt J.

P.S. Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[BionicJohn]

> > When I type the dir /a:hs comman it says volume in drive c is ramdrive?

You should see something like:

Volume in drive C is Win2K
Volume Serial Number is 24DF-F64C

Directory of C:
09/01/2004 00:07 192 boot.ini
04/05/2003 16:41 0 IO.SYS
04/05/2003 16:41 0 MSDOS.SYS
04/05/2003 16:46 34,724 NTDETECT.COM
25/06/2003 18:45 214,432 ntldr
29/02/2004 18:35 1,207,959,552 pagefile.sys
24/08/2003 10:25 <DIR> RECYCLER
04/05/2003 16:44 <DIR> System Volume Information
8 File(s) 1,208,523,268 bytes
2 Dir(s) 6,280,486,912 bytes free


To see all the files in C:\ using the attrib command, just type "attrib C:\" (without the " delimiters of course).
It will not show the folders, only the files and there attributes.

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[skipholiday]

It still says contents of drive c is ms ramdrive?
I'm trying this on 2 different pc's and getting exact same responce.
I must be doing something wrong.
Thanx allot for all your help.

 

[BionicJohn]

> It still says contents of drive c is ms ramdrive?

What do you see in windows' "My Computer?"

A RAM Drive is not usually C: as that is usually your boot drive. Your drvie letters seemed muxed ip.

A possiblity is your BIOS cannot handle a larger drive.

Have you installed a new HDD or changed the partition settings?


Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[Blujacket]

Yep, anytime the RAM drive gets set on C: it usually means the hard drive has not been 'seen'.

 

[skipholiday]

I'm using a 98 floppy to get to the command prompt.Then I check with cdrom support,then I go from a: to c: and thats where I don't see anything but the ms_ramdrive.
When I look in my computer I see a:, DISK1PART01 (C,DISK1PART01 (D,Control Panel,
The c and d are both in brackets exactley as shown.
Thanx allot
Skipholiday

 

[BionicJohn]

> I'm using a 98 floppy to get to the command prompt.Then I check with cdrom support,then I go from a: to c: and thats where I don't see anything but the ms_ramdrive.

That probably explains it.

But how are getting "My Computer" to run if you are booting from a Win98 start disk and have Win2K installed?

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[skipholiday]

I get to My Computer when I boot normally.
I use the floppy only to get to the command prompt.I changed the drive letter to (C and it still does the same thing. Am I slow or what?
Thanx for all your time.
Skip

 

[Blujacket]

I didn't see it mentioned but are you booting to a Win98 floppy on a Win2000 computer? If the hard drive is formatted NTFS, Win95/98/ME won't see it, explains the C: RAM Drive.

 

[BionicJohn]

> If the hard drive is formatted NTFS, Win95/98/ME won't see it, explains the C: RAM Drive.

Absolutely.

Iechyd da! John
Glannau Mersi, Lloegr.

 

[skipholiday]

Fat 32

 

[tsuji]

Hello skipholiday,

Type at prompt : set. What is the output on the screen?

regards - tsuji

p.s. I would be taking this thread as a joke until skipholiday prove his/her case with evidence!

 

[Gloryhound]

All you get is RAM DRIVE for c: and your using FAT32? This indicates that the drive is not present or not partitioned. Yet it still boots normally? must be NTFS. In which case, make a boot disk for one of the latest versions of windows, these support the NTFS and you should be able to cruise around.