Start MS-DOS

[Guest]

How can I start my computer in MS-DOS mode? (In case my operation system is
Windows XP) And how can I back to XP?

 

[Test User]

How can I start my computer in MS-DOS mode? (In case my operation system is
Windows XP) And how can I back to XP?

Unless you first installed DOS and then XP, you don't. DOS is not
included.

You*can* start XP in Safe Mode - Command Prompt Only if you really want the
look of a command window, but there are few benefits from this. The type
of program that will not run under XP's GUI won't run in the command window
either, even in Safe Mode.

What is it you are actually trying to do?

If you wish to install DOS on your system, you must first install DOS and
then XP from a bare drive. You cannot use NTFS if you wish DOS to have any
access to the hard disk areas that XP looks at, since DOS knows nothing of
NTFS.

If you need to run a simple task (such as flashing a BIOS) you can just boot
from a DOS floppy. However, bear in mind that if your system is formatted
NTFS as many are now, you won't have any access to the hard disk.

HTH
-pk

 

[Gordon]

How can I start my computer in MS-DOS mode? (In case my operation system
is Windows XP) And how can I back to XP?

You can't. Period. There IS no "MSDos" in XP.

 

[José Gallardo]

As there is not any MS-DOS in Windows XP, you cannot do this.

 

[DL]

Start/Programs/Accessories........Command Prompt
Or from bootup Safe Mode
If you mean a full system backup, Then eg Ghost, Acronis True Image

 

[Wesley Vogel]

First you have to acquire MS-DOS. Windows XP doesn't have it.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Gordon]

Start/Programs/Accessories........Command Prompt

That's NOT Dos - it's a Dos emulator. And the Op was asking if he could BOOT
into Dos as well.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for everyone.
I would have liked to run ms-dos to delete an unuseable file with norton
commander.
I have a file that i can not open or delete. I could delete these files with
the help of norton commander earlier (when i had win 98).

 

[Test User]

Thanks for everyone.
I would have liked to run ms-dos to delete an unuseable file with norton
commander.
I have a file that i can not open or delete. I could delete these files with
the help of norton commander earlier (when i had win 98).

Not if the disk is formatted NTFS, you couldn't.

Set up the system so that the Recovery Console can see more directories (if
needed for that file) and then boot from the CD and use the RC to delete the
file.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310497/

First, though, restart in Safe Mode - Command Prompt and locate the file,
and check its attributes. Some spyware/trojans/viruses will put a $ in the
filename, which makes it more difficult to delete. You may need to take a
few attempts at renaming it first.

What is the file?

-pk

 

[Wesley Vogel]

As someone else posted, you can boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Or just boot into Safe Mode and open a Command Prompt.

[[To start your computer at a command prompt
1. Print these instructions before continuing. They will not be available
after you shut your computer down in step 2.
2. Click Start, click Shut Down, and then, in the drop-down list, click
Shut down.
3. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click Restart, and then click OK.
4. When you see the message Please select the operating system to start,
press F8.
5. Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode with Command Prompt, and then
press ENTER.
6. If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot system, choose the installation
that you need to access using the arrow keys, and then press ENTER.
Notes
NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will
function.]]
---

Edit the boot.ini or...

Use the System Configuration Utility (msconfig.exe).

Edit the boot.ini by adding these switches:

/safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)

[[Safe Mode with Command Prompt (SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal(AlternateShell)):
This option is the same as Safe mode, except that Cmd.exe starts instead of
Windows Explorer.]]

Start | Run | Type: msconfig | OK |
Boot.ini tab | Select the following:
/SAFEBOOT
MINIMAL (ALTERNATESHELL)

Those two settings get you this switch >>>

/safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)

/safeboot: = This switch causes Windows to start in Safe Mode.
minimal(alternateshell) = Command Prompt (cmd.exe), if...

This switch starts Windows in Safe Mode with a command prompt...

If these keys have the AlternateShell Value Data listed as cmd.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\SafeBoot

and/or

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot
Value Name: AlternateShell
Value Type: REG_SZ
Value Data: cmd.exe

[[Note: The /sos, /bootlog, and /noguiboot switches are not required with
any one of these settings, but the switches can help with troubleshooting.
These switches are included if you press F8 and then select one of the
modes. ]]
++++++++++++

I forgot to add...

Edit the boot.ini by adding these switches.
/safeboot:minimal(alternateshell)
===

After making those boot.ini changes using msconfig, you need to click Apply
and Close.

Then click on: Restart.
===

After booting into the Safe Mode with the Command Prompt.

And when you're done using the command prompt...
Close the command prompt by typing:

exit

Hit the Enter key.

Or...

Click on the Close [X].

Or...
Start the Windows shell.

Type:

explorer

Hit the Enter key.

Or...
Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer | OK |

Either way, this warning will come up.

--------
Desktop Warning
Windows is running in safe mode.

This special diagnostic mode of windows enables you to fix a
problem which may be caused by your network or hardware
settings. Make sure these settings are correct in Control Panel, and
then try starting Windows again. While in safe mode, some of your
devices may not be available.

To proceed to work in safe mode, click Yes. If you prefer to use
System Restore to restore your computer to a previous state, click
No.
--------

Also, when done doing whatever, you need to open msconfig again...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: msconfig | OK |

UNSelect: /SAFEBOOT under the boot.ini tab | Click Apply |
Under the General tab Select: Normal Startup - load all device drivers and
services | Click Apply and Close

Or...

Open Task Manager...
Ctrl + Shift + Esc | File | New Task (Run...) | Type: explorer | OK |

And open msconfig from Start | Run

Or Windows key + R to open the run box.


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[pcbutts1]

To delete undeletable files use the excellent program by Cedrick Collomb
called Unlocker
http://www.pcbutts1.com/downloads/unlocker170.exe

--


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[Bruce Chambers]

How can I start my computer in MS-DOS mode? (In case my operation system is
Windows XP) And how can I back to XP?

There is no way to reboot a WinXP PC into Real Mode DOS unless
you've set up a dual-boot system. The WinNT family of 32-bit graphical
desktop operating systems, of which WinXP is the latest generation, has
never used, included, or "ridden upon" MS-DOS. The Recovery Console's
CLI (Command Line Interface) is the closest you can come to the old "DOS
mode." What, specifically, are you trying to accomplish?


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Andrew Murray]

XP doesn't have "DOS Mode".

 

[Jeff Needle]

Of course, there's the "command prompt" under Accessories, but it's not
really a DOS prompt.