Windows XP and Windows Vista do not offer DOS to USB support. Operating systems before that, however, have tricks to get USB's working. To make this happen the user must download a USB driver. This can be found at the end of this article for the required ZIP file needed. After a little bit of editing to the autoexec.bat and config.sys files, you'll be up and running.
Instructions
Download the required USB driver from the link at the bottom of this page. Install the driver onto you're OEM boot disk. Run the driver exe that you have downloaded. It will load the required drivers for you.
Restart the computer. Press F8 as soon as you see the Windows logo to get to the boot menu. At the boot menu select "MSDOS Command prompt."
Insert the OEM boot disk.
Open the config.sys file from DOS. From the DOS prompt simply type "Edit a:\config.sys" without the quotes. The config.sys file will open allowing edits to be made. This config.sys is on the a:\ drive. We are altering the OEM boot disk, not the computer.
Add the following lines to config.sys:
Device =a:\himem.sys
Devicehigh= a:\emm386.exe
Device=a: \usbaspi.sys
Dos=high,umb
Save config.sys.
Open the autoexec.bat file from DOS. From the DOS prompt simply type "Edit a:\autoexec.bat" without the quotes. The autoexec.bat file will open allowing edits to be made. This autoexec.bat is on the a:\ drive. We are altering the OEM boot disk, not the computer.
Add the following lines to autoexec.bat:
@echo off
Duseldr a:\duse.exe
Mscdex /D:usbcdrom /s /m:15 /v
The last line is actually for your cdrom device. This method is to allow all USB devices to work from DOS, not just the USB drive.
Save autoexex.bat
Restart the computer. The computer will boot off of the disk and you will have USB support.
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