Windows 98 to Dos

shenry

shenry

Member
Hi.I have a very old computer at home with Windows 98SE running on it.I'm aware that it has its own version of DOS in it.Anyway how can I set it to boot into DOS instead of Windows, is this even possible?
 
windows 98 start up disk. if you don't have one, download it from bootdisk.com. put it on a floppy. don't put a zip file on the floppy extract first if it's zipped. boot from floppy.
 
If I'm not mistaking...you can hold the shift key down during boot. I know in previous versions of windows that'd bypass the startup files(IE the WIN command) though I don't remember if that also worked with 98. It's been so long since I've used it.
 
You can edit the autoexec.bat file and remove the line for C:\Windows\win.exe then exit and save. That will force dos. Or you can use the selective startup method where you choose not to load all startups and the other items. You would press F8 on most systems to select that option.
 
Msdos.sys is the boot configuration file that you can set it to load ms dos on boot up. It's been a long time since I've tried it so i'm not to sure what line you need to add.
 
shenry said:
Hi.I have a very old computer at home with Windows 98SE running on it.I'm aware that it has its own version of DOS in it.Anyway how can I set it to boot into DOS instead of Windows, is this even possible?
Click to expand...

why would you want to boot to DOS?
 
Here are the procedures step by step:

* STEP1: Reboot your Win95/98 system. When you see "Starting Windows 95..." on the screen, hit the F8 key. This will cause the Boot Menu to pop up. Select "Command Prompt Only" and hit Enter. You will soon end up at the C>prompt.
* STEP2: Modify your MSDOS.SYS file. It is a read only, hidden, system file. To remove those attributes type: attrib -r -h -s msdos.sys<Enter>

* STEP3: Make a backup copy of your MSDOS.SYS file by typing: copy msdos.sys msdos.old <Enter>
* STEP4: Edit MSDOS.SYS. Now type: edit msdos.sys<Enter> You will see a section labeled [Options]. Modify the [Options] section and add the lines you do not have as follows (The order does not matter):
o BootGUI=0 (This line alone will cause Win95 to boot to DOS prompt only) (Or try these next three or four lines):
o BootMenu=1 (This will cause boot menu to always appear on bootup)
o BootMenuDelay= 10 (Default is 30 seconds)
o BootMenuDefault= Whatever number choice on the Boot Menu you want.
o BootMulti= 1 (Add this line if you installed Win 95 over an older DOS (-it will allow you to boot up with the older DOS. It adds an additional boot menu choice)
o Logo=0 or 1 (Turns the splash graphic off or on)
o Network= 0 or 1 (Again, it depends on your system)
o AutoScan=0 OSR2 USERS ONLY-add this command here to stop your machine from running Scandisk on a reboot after a lockup or power outage.

* STEP5: Reboot and test it. If it's what you want, put the attributes back on MSDOS.SYS by typing: attrib +r +s +h msdos.sys<Enter>
Click to expand...

From http://winmac.mvps.org/win95dos.html
The BootGUI= 0 will work for Win 98
 
Getting Windows 95 / 98 to boot to MS-DOS.
Issue:
Getting Windows 95 / 98 to boot to MS-DOS.



Cause:
By default, Windows 95 and 98 will automatically load into Windows when installed.​
Solution:

Remember that when dealing with any system files, be cautious of what is changed. If the files are changed inappropriately the system may not boot.
Click Start / Shutdown / Shutdown the computer in MS-DOS mode.
Type cd\ to get to the C:\> prompt.
Type attrib msdos.sys -r -a -s -h
Type edit msdos.sys
Locate the line BOOTGUI=1 and change the line to BOOTGUI=0
Save the file and reboot your computer. http://www.xmission.com/~comphope/issues/ch000132.htm


System Configuration Editor Tool

To modify the Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files in Windows 95 and Windows 98:

1.Click Start, click Run, type sysedit in the Open box, and then click OK.
2.On the Window menu, click either C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT or C:\CONFIG.SYS, depending on the file that you want to modify.
3.After you make the changes to the file, click Save on the File menu, and then click Exit on the File menu.
4.You must restart your computer before the changes to the Autoexec.bat or Config.sys files take effect.

MS-DOS Mode

To modify the Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files in MS-DOS mode:
1.At the MS-DOS prompt, type edit autoexec.bat or edit config.sys depending on which file that you want to modify.
2.After you make the changes you want, press ALT+F and then X. When you are prompted to save the changes press Y or ENTER.
3.You must restart your computer before the changes to the Autoexec.bat or Config.sys files can take effect.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232558/EN-US/
 
Last edited:
Dylan_ said:
ROFLMAO To play DOS Games??? LOL
Click to expand...

98 has the shutdown to dos mode already included there. ME was the one that lacked that. Some dos games will easily run through a dos window with no problem. By using the step by step startup option and only allowing the autoexec.bat and boot.cfg to load you can even run some 8bit dos games. (That was nice seeing the original 8bit Duke Nukem run on a 98 system at the time. :D )
 
16bit dos games will run through a dos window simply by double clicking the executable through Windows Explorer or creating a desktop shortcut. The command prompt is used for entering manual commands. To start a program there you would have to include the location as well as the name of the executable file for starting the game or program to be run.
 
Thanks ou've been a real help.

I've also found another way to do it just if anyones interested.

I just renamed the command.com file to win.com and put it in the windows

directory then when it asked do yopu want to overwrite just click yes.

But be warned once you've done that theres no way to get it back besides

reinstalling windows.
 
You will be the one reinstalling Windows there with that change. :P You might as well as have edited the autoexec.bat file and removed the line for C:\Windows\win.ini or something to that effect. At least you could re-edit and retype the line back in for autoloading Windows. And you could simply load Window by changing to the Windows directory and typing win.ini and pressing the enter for a manual loading.
 
Hey, start up 98, press shutdown or whatever (been long since i used it.) then it should ave an option to "boot in msdos mode"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top