I am working on an old system that has some MS DOS operating software. When I try to access the hard drive I get; "Access code error = 51".
Anybody have an idea what that means???

Everything I can find on it relates to a "Remote computer not listening" error. Thats all I know about it, don't know what would cause it. Are you booting in dos, to where perhaps something is loading in config.sys or autoexec.bat that might be mapping network drives or something?

How are you booting it up? With a DOS floppy? If so, at the A prompt (A>) type fdisk to see if the hard drive is partitioned and formatted. Write down the info, then press ESCape to exit.

Next reboot the machine without a diskette. On the first screen that appears press the key shown to access SETUP. It is usually F2 or DELete.

Under the basic bios settings look at the description of the hard disk (type, cylinders, etc...). If the setup settings for the drive do not match what is correct for your hard drive (determined by looking at the make and model number on the actual drive in the PC - then looking up the specs on the internet at the manufacturers site) change them so that they do and try accessing it again.

That would be the first things to check along with making sure that data and power cables to the drive are connected good!

Don

'70 Fanatic

1. You should boot from a boot disc.
2. After booting, go to your c: drive. type c: and hit enter.
3. You should now be at your C:\ prompt. type edit config.sys and hit enter.
4. Post what it says

Also when at your C:\ prompt. type dir and hit enter. This should show you the contents of your C: drive.

Good luck, Jon

I booted from floppy, that works, Then tried to access the harddrive,,....no luck, Got the same error. Turns out it was a bad harddrive. I installed a new one and all is good again.
Thanks.