> The autoexec.bat and config.sys files are empty but are added to this
> start up disk recently after this DOS Start Up floppy disk is read.

Those files are empty because they were copied from your machine.  XP has no
use for them.

[[The MS-DOS startup disk only allows the system to boot into an MS-DOS
prompt. The disk contains no additional tools. ]]
To create an MS-DOS startup disk
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/win_create_dos_startup_disk.mspx

> will appear but it did not, instead Windows Millennium appeared; this
> seem strange?

That was just the version of command.com that was open, Windows Millennium
did not get installed on your machine. The Windows XP MS-DOS Startup Disk is
basically a scaled down version of a Windows Millennium Startup Disk.
That's why command.com opens with Windows Millennium showing.

The commands that you get are...
External commands: you already mentioned those, but...
KEYB.COM  Configures a keyboard for a specific language.

You can use MODE:
To configure a serial communications port
To display the status of all devices or of a single device
To redirect output from a parallel port to a serial communications port
To select, refresh, or display the numbers of the code pages for the console
To change the size of the command prompt screen buffer
To set the keyboard typematic rate

Internal commands, here's a list, not all the commands are available:
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/i/intecomm.htm

An MS-DOS startup disk is not a substitute for a boot disk.  All it does
is get you to an A:\ prompt even if you cannot boot your machine any other
way.

These may be helpful...

How to use System files to create a boot disk to guard against being unable
to start Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314079

[[You may be able to use a Windows XP bootable disk to start the operating
system on a computer running Windows XP.]]
How To Create a Boot Disk for an NTFS or FAT Partition in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305595

Creating a boot disk for an NTFS or FAT partition
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311073

-- 
Hope this helps.  Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

Hi there

I am having similar problems, and worse, I have tried both a boot disk created from the XP system AND created the MS-DOS start up disk that the computer is not reading.  Any other recommendations on how to change the active drive so that the computer can start up? (I installed a 4th drive that is a laptop drive that is confusing the computer and not starting)

Thank you.