[Ham-Computers] RE: DOS in XP-Home

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

John,

As Jay mentioned earlier, all Windows "NT" kernel systems don't have an
underlying OS like earlier versions of Windows had.  Technically, "CMD" in
NT/2K/XP is working at the *lowest* level of the kernel and you can start
without the GUI (Command Prompt Safe Mode), but there's no easy way to do
much at a CMD prompt without the GUI loading first (GUI mode also loads all
drivers and services).  Command Prompt Safe Mode is designed for
troubleshooting - primarily for enabling/disabling devices and services that
may be causing the GUI to not load.

There is a way to have a true DOS mode, but this involves a dual-boot
situation.  You install DOS/Win9x first, then install WinXP.  You can either
install XP into the existing FAT/FAT32 partition, or, install XP onto
another drive.  The installer will create a boot manager that will prompt
and ask what OS you want to use.  You can also do the same with a 3rd-party
commercial application such as Partition Magic - the 3rd party apps are much
more flexible that 2K/XP's boot manager.

Another option is to build a bootable DOS USB key.  I have a 64MB key that's
formatted with Win98SE's "DOS" and use it for drive imaging and
troubleshooting.  This method requires that the system BIOS support booting
from a USB key (in HD emulation mode), but it works and is convenient.  It's
a bit of a pain to build the bootable key, but once it's done, you shouldn't
need to do it again.  Or, if you're like me, you'll create an image of the
key with something like GHOST so that you can create more bootable keys, if
needed.  As far as DOS is concerned, the key looks like an extremely fast
hard drive.  Don't try installing Windows on it though...when the 32-bit USB
drivers load (in Windows), it resets the USB controllers and the connection
to the drive is lost.

I can supply generic details on how to build a bootable key, but it depends
highly on how your system's BIOS is configured to handle USB keys...some
emulate a hard drive, others emulate a large floppy.  I'm only familiar with
the HD emulation.  You'll need a bootable DOS floppy, FDISK, and FORMAT to
create the key - additional DOS apps/commands can also be added later if you
have them.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 5:50 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] DOS in XP-Home


In Win95B and Win98SE we had the ability to restart in the MS/DOS mode via
Start/Shut Down/Restart in MS/DOS mode.

This option isn't available in XP-Home.

Is there any way an XP user can restart in the MS/DOS mode thereby avoiding
the Command Prompt (DOS) session running underneath Windows XP?

John W0IKT