Discussion:
Invalid media type reading drive c
(too old to reply)
grif
2005-04-28 03:40:01 UTC
Permalink
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
a: to c:
Ben Myers
2005-04-28 04:00:40 UTC
Permalink
If you are trying to reinstall Windows 95, use "fdisk.exe" to create a primary
DOS partition, then format it with "format.com".

Ben
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
grif
2005-04-28 05:14:03 UTC
Permalink
Thanks, Ben. I can get thru both of those operations but cannot get past the
"invalid media type reading drive c" Abort-Retry-Fail error message
Post by Ben Myers
If you are trying to reinstall Windows 95, use "fdisk.exe" to create a primary
DOS partition, then format it with "format.com".
Ben
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
Ben Myers
2005-04-28 19:59:06 UTC
Permalink
If you are trying to install the original version of Windows 95, delete the existing
partition or partitions, then use Fdisk to create a new one. If you are asked
about "Large disk support", answer "No". After creating the partition, restart
the computer, format the new partition, then run Windows setup. If this doesn't
help, try creating a new boot floppy.

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Ben
Post by grif
Thanks, Ben. I can get thru both of those operations but cannot get past the
"invalid media type reading drive c" Abort-Retry-Fail error message
Post by Ben Myers
If you are trying to reinstall Windows 95, use "fdisk.exe" to create a primary
DOS partition, then format it with "format.com".
Ben
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
Jeff Richards
2005-04-28 05:01:23 UTC
Permalink
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
grif
2005-04-28 05:16:02 UTC
Permalink
Hello, Jeff. I am trying to re-install the OS. At the command prompt I had
typed chkdsk and got the media type message.
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
Jeff Richards
2005-04-28 05:31:35 UTC
Permalink
Has this disk been working previously, or are you just setting it up? Does
it have anything valuable on it? If not, run hardware diagnostics in
read/write mode to confirm it's working OK, then partition it and FDISK it
and format it. If it has useful stuff on it then run hardware diagnostics
in read-only (non-destructive) mode. If that checks out OK then do FDISK
/Status to see what the partitioning is.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
Hello, Jeff. I am trying to re-install the OS. At the command prompt I had
typed chkdsk and got the media type message.
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
grif
2005-05-02 20:50:13 UTC
Permalink
Thanks, Jeff. The disk was working fine until during the installation of
Win98 the CD was inadvertently removed. It's been a disaster since then.
Nothing of value on the disk. I'll try your suggestion
GHC
Post by Jeff Richards
Has this disk been working previously, or are you just setting it up? Does
it have anything valuable on it? If not, run hardware diagnostics in
read/write mode to confirm it's working OK, then partition it and FDISK it
and format it. If it has useful stuff on it then run hardware diagnostics
in read-only (non-destructive) mode. If that checks out OK then do FDISK
/Status to see what the partitioning is.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
Hello, Jeff. I am trying to re-install the OS. At the command prompt I had
typed chkdsk and got the media type message.
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
Jeff Richards
2005-05-02 21:31:15 UTC
Permalink
Remember that you must disable virus protection in BIOS setup before
starting the installation, and re-enable it again at the end. Having virus
protection in the BIOS turned on during installation can create the problem
you are seeing.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
Thanks, Jeff. The disk was working fine until during the installation of
Win98 the CD was inadvertently removed. It's been a disaster since then.
Nothing of value on the disk. I'll try your suggestion
GHC
Post by Jeff Richards
Has this disk been working previously, or are you just setting it up?
Does
it have anything valuable on it? If not, run hardware diagnostics in
read/write mode to confirm it's working OK, then partition it and FDISK it
and format it. If it has useful stuff on it then run hardware diagnostics
in read-only (non-destructive) mode. If that checks out OK then do FDISK
/Status to see what the partitioning is.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
Hello, Jeff. I am trying to re-install the OS. At the command prompt I had
typed chkdsk and got the media type message.
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing
when
the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message
that
I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to
cd
from
grif
2005-04-28 05:18:04 UTC
Permalink
Also, I haven't gone to any third-party utilities of formatting options yet.
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
grif
2005-04-28 05:20:03 UTC
Permalink
Is there some sort of switch I can use in conjunction with format.exe that
will allow me to work thru this?
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
grif
2005-04-28 05:23:29 UTC
Permalink
Even trying a "dir/p" at the commnad prompt gives me the same error message.
Are these specific messages explained on the microsoft site and I just haven'
found them yet?
Post by Jeff Richards
It usually means the drive is accessible, but the format isn't recognised.
It might be unformatted, or formatted with a format type that the OS doesn't
recognise, or the drive could be faulty. What exactly are you doing when the
message appears.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
Post by grif
I am grif of 12/1/2004. I have finally developed this error message that I
hope is the bottom of my problem. Can anyone make a workaround suggestions
via format or fdisk or command prompt. I have at least been able to cd from
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