Add MS-DOS to Boot.ini

[DragonNOA1]

This is what my boot.ini looks like now. What would I have to add/change to add DOS as another option to boot into?

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=C:\
[operating systems]
C:\="Microsoft Windows 98"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect

p.s.: by the way the command.com file and all the other DOS files are located on the C: (main) drive.

[bailey]

I think first you would need to creat a partition to install a version of dos, before you can boot to it.
there is no dos in xp.

[DragonNOA1]

That makes sense, I'm stupid. So I should make a partition with only DOS on it, can it be fat32 or should it be fat16? does it matter? or should it be something before that? I don't know, i'll go check it out on the web, but thanks bailey!

[GaryRouth]

If you have a DOS game, you can try using "Compatibility Mode" when you install it (you right-click the setup.exe or whatnot, and select Compatibility, and choose DOS from the list the Compatibility Wizard presents). . . sort of a "virtual DOS" . . .
I haven't had an XP system around for a while, though: so I'm a little skimpy on the details

Happy Holidays! ['tis the Season ]
. . . Gary

[hmmm....just re-reading your 1st post... seems that since you have Win98 on the C partition already, you could also try it's DOS mode --- I think it's DOS 7 or maybe 6.1...]

[DragonNOA1]

Thanks Gary,

But I was mainly trying to boot up to just DOS, like back in the oldin days. Just mainly for kicks but I forgot that each operating system needs it's own partition and you can't boot to DOS if 98 is installed, unless you press F8 or w/e to bring up the menu to boot to DOS only. But thanks Gary, I've tried compatibility mode with one DOS game that didn't work to well, but that's why I'm dual-booting to begin with. A "Compatibility Mode" in it's own sense.

[fifi]

DragonNOA1, If you still interested, you will need to partition to FAT (FAT16) and instal DOS, WIN95 or WIn98. The you may use an OS boot selector program (you dont have to) that will select which OS you will boot into. But in the DOS partition you will edit your msdos.sys file and edit the line "bootGUI=1". Change the 1 to 0 and it will always boot into DOS. I have done this many times but I dont think you can do it with boot.ini.

[DragonNOA1]

Thanks fifi.

The question is if I'm STILL interested. Well not really. I was going a little crazy because I just installed XP for a functioning dual-boot and was looking to add as many OS's as possible. But really, DOS is impractical and not needed. It would just be there so I could brag and tell all my friends I have one of the fastest computers..... and it's only running DOS! Thanks though, I'll keep a record of your POST in case I do ever feel like messing around with it, you never know.