DOS ain't dead

MS-DOS LABEL: "Cannot make directory entry" error? (Users)

posted by CluelessInSeattl, Seattle, USA, 26.12.2013, 17:19

I'm trying to change the volume label in MS-DOS 6.21 on a set of 3 back-up floppies.

I used DISKCOPY to create copies 2 & 3 of a floppy that I've been using to keep an archive of the development of a tricky batch file I've been working on.

After making the copies I tried to create volume labels for the three diskettes.

But when I typed in a new label at the LABEL prompt, I got this error message:

"Cannot make a directory entry."

The existing label is "AC" (which appears on all three diskettes but which means nothing to me. My memory is so poor these days though, that I could very well have created that label on the original floppy ages ago and then forgotten about it).

I hunted around on the web and found one set of instructions that suggests that the diskette may have once been used with the Windows 95 LFN system.

ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/misc1/PEROPSYS/WINDOWS/KB/Q118/4/93.TXT


If that's the case (and it very well could be, because the floppy I made the copies from is an old one and may have once been used for Win 95 data back in the day).

The article suggests reformatting the disk. But if I do that, then I lose all the data on it.

So, I'd be grateful for some ideas on how to make copies of these diskettes onto fresh diskettes so that I would be able to change the volume label on the new copies.

---
Will in Seattle
a.k.a. "Clueless"
Running MS-DOS 6.21

Complete thread:

• MS-DOS LABEL: "Cannot make directory entry" error? - CluelessInSeattl, 26.12.2013, 17:19
  • MS-DOS LABEL: "Cannot make directory entry" error? - RayeR, 26.12.2013, 18:41
  • MS-DOS LABEL: "Cannot make directory entry" error? - Arjay, 27.12.2013, 04:15