Switching between Windows XP & DOS mode

XP is not a DOS OS. The command line in XP is an emulator for DOS. This is one of the reasons XP is more advanced. I think DOS stands for "Dinosaur Operating System".

Vic

It depends on how DOS you want to go.

To start there were a lot of DOS's available (Disk Operating System) but it is assumed that you are referring to MS DOS.

Most of DOS is available in XP.

The command interpreter (including BAT files) through CMD.

You can even run DOS programs directly from XP by adding it to the GUI as a shortcut with personalized resource settings.

Through a compiler you can even access a DOS version no.

Try installing RAID drivers on XP.

(DRDOS6 on a 12 MHz 286 was awesome, even by today's standards)

I haven't don RAID drives but I have noticed that the DOS drivers has been enhanced past the capabilities of the hardware interfaces.

With low level drivers in assembler a lot of problems could be reworked. I am for example running a Hercules mono screen (8 ISA) as a second screen on XP.

I also had a DRDOS 6 running (after a MS DOS 6.0 disaster) it was a step ahead (MS DOS 7.x at least).

DRDOS was light years ahead of the MS crap, I was seriously pissed when MS disallowed W3.1 to run under it.

Switching, would require you to restart you PC and boot from a DOS floppy or CD...

You could just go to Start/Run and type in CMD, and you have a DOS Window.

I guess it depends on what you are trying to achieve.

Can a boo-table "fdisk" used to switch from DOS mode to Windows when there is a problem to go back to Windows ?

You can always boot from DOS as long as you have a DOS boot disk. You can download one online for free, just do a little research.

Like I mentioned earlier, Floppy or CD. You could probably put a copy of DOS on your boot drive and have the option to boot from XP or DOS. Some motherboards will even let you boot from USB... something to think about.

Have fun!

http://www.freedos.org/

So, if we are on DOS mode, what is the command to be issued to go back to windows ?

Exit

Maybe it is better to understand what exactly you are trying to do.

Another possible answer for running DOS and Windows back and forth is a virtual machine. VM software can emulate another computer from within a window. For example you could run a MS-DOS system from within a window.

But I really have no idea what your trying to accomplish.

The reset button

Alt-Tab will switch you back and forth between DOS command window and other windows (if any open at the time), or Windows desktop GUI

As I mentioned earlier you go to start then run and type in CMD, click ok, then you can type HELP and get a list of commands you can use. To exit you can simply close the window or type in EXIT and hit Enter. You can go full screen by hitting Alt and Enter simultaneously. There is lot of thing you can do from DOS. Play with it for awhile.

Have Fun!

Another place you could look at is "VMWare player" where you would run DOS under a virtual machine within your Windoze enviroment, or Linux if you wish to run a superior OS inside Windoze

DOS has major problems when you extend your RAM >48 Megs (I have a second system with 48 Megs installed on a Cyrix 686)

The problem is that the memory allocation registers are in the 64K base system ram area, when you add more system RAM >48 Megs, you will notice performance issues, but also issues when you try to run programs that require that base memory... (otherwise I would be running >48Megs on here)

A further problem might be if you are using NTFS disk format, you may need to go back to FAT32......

Hello zacky,

go to Start, Run, CMD, reboot into any DOS you choose from the Command section.

bb

Hello zacky,

Try these pages. Thay are helpful.

How To Use the AT Command to Schedule Tasks In Windows 2000, you can use the Task Scheduler tool in Control Panel to schedule tasks. You can also use the at command to schedule tasks manually. ... support.microsoft.com/kb/313565 - Similar

How to Use Command Line Shortcuts 1 Mar 2004 ... Why would you use command-line tools when Windows XP already ... Open Command Prompt from the shortcut created in the previous section or by ... www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/.../ballew_commandline.mspx - Cached - Similar

Useful Windows XP DOS Commands & Tricks - Digital Inspiration does anybody know. Why when i am printing in a "cmd" windows to a network printer after appliing the "net use lpt" command ,it take a long time too print ? ... labnol.blogspot.com/.../useful-windows-xp-dos-commands-tricks.html - Cached - Similar

The Windows Command Line, Batch Files, and Scripting- Using the ... The Windows command line is a mainstay for systems administrators and power ... Commands that everybody can use · Configuring the command prompt window ... commandwindows.com/ - Cached - Similar

Windows XP/2000 Commands and Tools We wanted to focus on tools that are particularly helpful that everyone would use. For the official list, please visit: Microsoft Windows XP Pro Command ... www.networkclue.com/os/Windows/commands/ - Cached - Similar

bb

You were rude first.

If you can't take it, don't try to give it it either........even if you are at a low ebb personally.....get some help asap.

GA and well phrased.

Hello Andy,

I hope you are fine?

I see we have the 'silly season' starting again?

I am assuming the GA is for me, but if not why not! LOL ROTFWL!

Take care

bb

It is for you.

You showed a cool face inspite of some complete and utter stupidity.....

He seems to have regretted being so obtuse, which is really great.....he was having a bad week......

unfortunately I could not solve the problem and i am still struggling with it, here is my problem in details:

I was trying to install Norton Ghost 2003 into my computer (which uses Windows XP) and during the installation process it stopped ( stack over flow) and i got a frozen widows screen.

I started my computer in Dos Mode but if want to switch to Widows it goes gain to frozen Norton screen and does not go to normal Widows screen.

The same problem happened two moth ago and i went to repair shop and he started the computer with a CD in it ( called fdisk) and when a screen opened he typed some text command ,and then we got the normal windows screen and the problem solved.

This time, I am trying to do the same thing but i do not know what is the "fdisk " and what is the text command should i issue ?

Hello zacky,

Sorry you are still shut out.

One thing I would do for sure is get rid of Norton in all its forms!!!!!!!!!!

It completely screwed my computer to a standstill, then I could not un-install it at all. Problem is, it has so many files that are not that obviously 'Norton' you have to do all kinds of searches on the computer and still not find them all. If you do not it can either re-install itself, and or stop other anti-virus and other anti this and that to stop working also.

Although you think, and it looks like, you are protected, you effectively have no protection whatsoever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:=0 .

This mean any bug, virus or Trojan can enter and create havoc.

In my opinion, any so called 'safety, (cleaner) program, which prevents you from uninstalling it and thus trying a program that works better, should not be allowed to be on the market in the first place.

You may not agree with me and what I say, which is fine. It is just my little bit to try and help.

I know if you have bought Norton 360 and Ghost it is a big investment, but it is completely useless if it stops you using your computer the way you want to.

In all probability any of the Norton prog' parts and files will stop any other anti virus from working. It may even stop another program installing.

I used Norton when it first came out, and then it stopped finding virus and Trojans which screwed my machine and I had to re-install. I tried it again after about 6 years and it was so huge and planted files all over the place, if it had worked it would have been fine, but at some time you will want to change to another anti-virus, and Norton will not allow the new anti-virus to take over.

The message I was getting constantly when trying to un-install it was, "this program is in use by another system".

Can you tell me how old your computer software is please? If it is just a couple of years old you can reinstall Windows XP? Do you use Windows XP?

Please get back to me and I will try and help. But I need to know what you have tried and what error messages you are getting.

I will explain where possible, how to un-install and re-install Windows. This is where it is useful if you have CD's and DVD's of the actual programs........... other than Windows, as it makes a re-install easier.

Get back to me please.

Thanks babybear for your help , i know i can re-install windows xp ,but i want keep all the programs in my computer safe (no delete).

I can go again to the repair shop to fix it in 2 minutes ,but i have to pay him a new fee.

Hello zacky,

Perhaps it would be worth asking the repair shop to explain what they are doing, and or ask for a copy of the restart disk they use?

I have a few friends in Thailand and surrounding areas, and the computer shops there would, as a starter, 100% format the HD, then reinstall the OS.

If the computer then worked, they would charge you a certain fee and give it back.

If the problem was hardware, they would still do Step 1 before fixing the hardware issue.

So, be wary of computer shops when you give them your prized computer...

Also, be vary careful of whats on your computer before giving it to them, I highly doubt you get them to sign confidentiallity agreements or anything like that, cause I'm not just talking about "porn" on your system, but you could have family snaps, or business accounts or other critical information that you would prefer the public not to see.