restarted to msdos won't go back to windows

C+A+D from DOS mode, and no more windows...heheh...
Want the fix?
Boot to a command prompt, diskette, whatever.
Attrib -h -r -s -a msdos.sys
Edit msdos.sys
Look for the line something like: BootGUI=0 and change it to read "BootGUI=1 "
Save and restart.
Not to say that this works every time, but a restart in DOS, or an improper exit from DOS can rewrite msdos.sys to ONLY boot to DOS, or it's version of a command prompt.

 

Thanks reboot

I had forgotten that that file may also be effected.

What I used to do when all was working properly I would keep a copy of ALL files in the root folder on floppies. ( at least the files involving boot up ) And then just copy them back ( after booting to a floppy ) if needed.

BillyBob

 

I still say to use EXIT to restart Windows from a restart in MS-Dos Mode, because...........
Microsoft says so......
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;138996
Description of Restarting Computer in MS-DOS Mode
========================copy/paste===========================
When you restart your computer by choosing the "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode" option in the Shut Down Windows dialog box, Windows closes all running programs, removes itself from memory, and then starts a real- mode command prompt. If the Use Current MS-DOS Configuration option is selected in the "Exit to DOS.pif" file that is used to restart the computer in MS-DOS mode, the Dosstart.bat file in the Windows folder is processed. If the Specify A New MS-DOS Configuration option is selected, the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files listed in the "Exit to DOS.pif" file are used instead of the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files in the root folder.

To restart Windows normally after restarting the computer in MS-DOS mode, type exit at the command prompt and then press ENTER.
===================================

but more importantly, certain people I've learned to trust say so.......

from a groups.google search:

From: Gary S. Terhune (grystnews@mvps.org)
Subject: Re: windows does not start. Always goes to msdos prompt
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion
Date: 2003-06-25 20:20:09 PST

Not sure what the resolution is (others are more familiar with it), but the *prevention* is to never use the WIN command in Windows 9x and up. Causes
nothing but trouble.

If you use Restart in MS-DOS Mode, or you use a DOS Shell (window), use EXIT to get back to Windows. (In the first case, a Windows stub remains and the EXIT command restores things that need restoring. In the second case, WIN is already running.)

If you went to Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu, or any other special Mode, for that matter, reboot the machine entirely--Use Ctrl-Alt-Del from a "pure" DOS mode (but not from "Restart in MS-DOS Mode. ") Use Start=>Shutdown from Safe Modes.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS MVP for Windows 9x

=================================================================

From: glee (glee29@mindspring.com)
Subject: Re: You are still running a DOS program
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win98.gen discussion
Date: 2002-11-24 19:36:04 PST

When you Restart in MS-DOS Mode, there is still a Windows stub loaded....if you run the MEM command, you should see it. The correct way to return to Windows from a Reboot to MS-DOS Mode is to type EXIT at the DOS prompt.

If you boot to Command Prompt Only from the Boot Menu, using the F8 boot key or holding down the Ctrl key during boot-up, you should reboot to Windows by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del.....this is not used when Restart in MS-DOS Mode is used from the Start>Shutdown menu, just as EXIT is not used when booting to Command Prompt Only.

Read here:
http://users.iafrica.com/c/cq/cquirke/whatdos.htm
especially the two sections headed "DOS mode via a .pif..... "

--
...glen
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems

 

This is one of the few ( very few ) cases where I will defend Microsoft.

BillyBob

 

It must be three years since I last used Restart in MS-DOS mode when
I, like many others, took my eye of the ball and got myself into a right state.

I am not entirely of the opinion the facility was introduced with our best interests
at heart but was another 'trick' to hide the fact that we were still going through DOS
to get to Windows, the trick being we can request a visit from Windows to that old
thing we used to use once.

Of course, to keep out of trouble a Restart followed by Ctrl for some folk or F8 for
others is the safer route. We have F5, F6, Ctrl-F5 and Shift-F5 to play around with
as well. I don't think so.

You may laugh but I reverted to going through the Windows Startup menu with

BootMenu=1
BootMenuDefault=1
BootMenuDelay=3

in Msdos.sys.

I rarely see the Startup menu as I'm ususally making a cup of tea first thing but on
those occasions when I want to use 'that old thing we used to use once' I've got
3 seconds to hit an arrow key to stop the count down and then I can sit back and wait
until my brain has got into gear before deciding 'where I want to go today.'

I got rid of my standby ages ago as well. What I'd like is to get rid of 'Restart in MS-DOS
mode' and have it replaced with a button to select a 'Shift Restart' as very often I forget to
use that method where appropiate.

BTW, the software unloaded is the same for Restart and Restart in MS-DOS mode with the
bit left via the latter being the Windows/VXD bootstrap layer allowing us to get back to
Windows with 'exit'; or not, as the case may be, which is where I came in.

 

If you are indeed referring to the one and only MS DOS Mode arrived at from the Start/Shutdown menu in Windows, no it is not the same. There is quite a difference.

A Restart proccesses the registry and restarts Windows with no changes to any files in the root folder.

Restart in the MS DOS Mode not only unloads programs and processes the Registry but it also * MAY * may make changes to files in the Root folder. Depending on the setup of the Exit to DOS .PIF file.

The restart in MS DOS Mode also processes the DOSSTART.BAT on the way back up.

This is why "EXIT " is best to use as it undoes every change thatt the restart In MS DOS Mode may have made.

A cntrl-ALT-Del overrides this process and does not put thing back where they were for Windows. And may well stop Windows from loading.

Please do not confuse the MS DOS Mode with the Command Prompt that can be had from the F8 Menu at boot up. That is also often referred to as MS DOS Mode. It is not. That is the Command Prompt. Which is something different yet.

BillyBob

 

Some good points there, BillyBob.

It strenghtens my approach to keep it simple. The Windows Start Menu or the console window are the only two ways I talk to DOS and, yes, I am very aware that 16 on top of 32 on top of 16 often behaves unpredicably compared with 16 on its own; you have to keep your 32 hat on when fishing in the console.

Regretably, working directly in the console window is referrd to as the Command Prompt, which it is of course, but may lead some folk to expect a batch file to work always exactly as it would via the 'Command prompt only' at the Windows Startup Menu.

 

OOPPS !!! Something is very unclear here.

I have to assmume here that we are discussing 95 or 98. XP does not have the MS DOS Mode. AND I for one MISS IT

I am at the Windows desktop.

I select Start/Shutdown And select Restart In MS DOS Mode. That does as I describe in my previous reply.

Now if I go through Programs and/or System tools there is a selection for MS DOS PROMPT. ( in XP is is called the Command Prompt ) This is no where near the same as COMMAND PROMPT

At the DOS PROMPT the FULL Windows is running. And it ALSO requires " EXIT " to get out of PROPERLY.

There are three ways to get to DOS in Win95 thru 98SE.

#1 from the F8 menu at boot up. This is the Command Prompt. And has FULL DOS capabilities.

#2 Select Start/Shutdown Restart in MS DOS Mode. Somewhat full capabilities except that "WIN" ( part of Windows ) is also running.

#3 Select MS DOS Prompt from the Start/ Program List. And this is quite limited.

They are all named differently and for a very good reason.

THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT And all have different capabilities.

Saying that " I am in DOS " is just like saying I am using Windows USELESS How did you get to DOS you are in and/or WHICH version of Windows.

It is not simple and can not be kept that way. Imporperly handled DOS can get your ( and has gotten my ) Butt in some serious Windows re-installing trouble.

BillyBob

 

If I wanted to talk about XP in a 98 forum then I'd cite it otherwise 98 follows by default.

Your first referenced quote was mentioned in passing. I write a lot of batch files and am very mindful if I use them in an environment that they were not written for and make appropriate adjustments. "At the DOS PROMPT the FULL Windows is running" and that is why I am mindful and used term 16 on 32 on 16.

You misinterpreted the second referenced quote. I meant in the KISS sense. I agree that you cannot simplify complexity but you can simplify complication. I don't use Restart in MS-DOS mode so that is one complication out of the way.

Your #3 is, of course, what I refer to as the console window or DOS box as some folk prefer to call it.

Other than the above I agree with everything else - you are preaching to the converted here.

 

OK please answer me one question so that we I can be sure that I am talking about the same place that you are.

How do you get to what you refer to as the Consol Window ?

There is no such thing in 98 that I am aware.

If I wanted to talk about XP in a 98 forum then I'd cite it

I mentioned XP ( in passing if you wish ) because in XP what is know as the DOS Prompt in 98 is called the Command Prompt. CONFUSING AS AS ALL Hell If I did not know better. And I also mentioned XP because I miss not having the COMMAND PROMPT at boot up.

Billybob

 

Sorry, BillyBob, we pick up some strange phrases over the years and they tend to stick. The first program I wrote was in Fortran on a main frame back in '67.

I was refering to the the DOS Prompt aka DOS box.

I'm just a hobbyist now but from what I've seen of post 98 I'll stick with 98SE. I spent a lot of years machine code programming and I miss that - I never did get round to assembly language on the PC. Most of my time now is spent writing with the PowerBasic Compiler and the much maligned but nevertheless handy vbscript.

Gamma

 

Thank you for clearing that up.

But it does cause some confusion/mis-understanding when discussing the varouus areas of DOS that are availabe in Windows 98.

And also when discussing DOS it is also important to know which version of Windows is being used.

Win95, 98 and 98SE are very similiar ( if not the same ).

Window Me and XP are a whole different story altogether.

Also it is imprtant to know which version of Windows is being used because Mr. Gates and Company have a NASTY HABIT of changing names of things from one version to the other.

Such as the DOS Prompt ( DOS BOX/DOS Window ) in SE now being named Command Prompt in XP.

So some of the confusion can come right from the maker of the OS as well as User differences.

Again this is why it is VERY important to know at least which version of Windows is being used. That can tells us what the DOS capabilities are. What works in one may well not work or cause major problems in the other.

I have locked up 98 and 98SE more than once when messing with .PIF file settings. And two times resulted in rebuilding Windows as I had niether DOS or Windows.

BillyBob

 

MY previuos reply is not directed solely to gammaepsilon

It is meant for all readers of this thread.

As it does make a BIG difference when it comes to versions of Windows.

Even though this thread is in the Windows 98 Forum there are two version of 98. And each one is quite different.

BillyBob

 

You are a man after my own heart BillyBob. If my gravestone dosen't say 'This guy was a pedant if nothing else' I'll bounce my funeral cheque.

Gamma