DFFR Methods...Which Is Right?!?

Question

I have recently done 2 DFFRs on Windows XP Pro (Dimension 8400) using a DEBUG method that begins with: F 200 L100 0 ...A CS:100...MOV AX,301...   I was just told by another tech that that was for ME that I should have used a method that begins with:A 100.....INT 13...[enter]...RAX...   Which is correct? Is the first one really only for ME and did I therefore not do a complete or correct job? Will this create problems later on? There were no error messages along the way.   I would really appreciate your help...thank you!

BigBrother · Answer

JJC777,

The one that you choose to use is up to you. The difference is primarily with syntax of how the command file is handed to the debug executable. With large drives, the L1000 parameter of the debug script that you used should be increased to account for a larger boot strap. If you look at the second debug script, it has an L parameter which is much larger -- usually 9000.

Either one is correct. However, in Windows XP, it is usually not necessary to wipe the boot strap on the hard drive. Simply deleting the desired partition and reformatting is usually sufficient.

The reason for wiping the boot strap on a hard drive is to insure that any potential boot sector virus will be eradicated. Boot sector viruses are rare these days. It does not hurt the hard drive to run either of these scripts if your objective is to insure a truly clean reinstall of the OS.

Steve

PoGi-TaZ · Answer

You dont actually need to debug the hard drive for windows xp. just boot to the cd and delete the existing partition to install windows.

BigBrother · Answer

PoGi-TaZ,

On Dell's newest systems, debugging the hard drive will destroy access to the "restore" partition. The restore partition is what is needed to reinstall the OS, drivers and all of the applications. Debugging the hard drive will complicate the situation if you ever need to do a complete OS Reinstall.

Steve

JJC777 · Answer

P.S. Thank you BigBrother for explaining what some of that debug syntax really meant...I was always very curious about that! Thanks!!

JJC777 · Answer

Thank you all for your replies...I really appreciate it!   Regarding debugging and losing Dell's restore partition...this seems to be true...at least it was in my case.  I was not aware this would happen, but learned from a tech after the fact that this is 'quite common'. Hmmm...   Anyway, not really a big deal in the end as Dell's restore had a lot of stuff I wanted off anyway...AOL, other ISP program promos and some software. While a bit of a time drain to re-install, afterwards I made my Ghost image (on my external HD) and now have my own default/restore fallback.   Thank you all again for your help and insight!

Storage, Drives & Media

DFFR Methods...Which Is Right?!?

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