Dos shutdown

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Ed - 01 Sep 2005 11:40 GMT

I have found that I am no longer able to shut down windows and have it
restart in Dos. (i.e.Go to start, shutdown,select restart in DOS). In other
respects Windows appears to be operating normally. I am using Win98SE with
SP1 and all security updates installed. It use to provide a shut down and
restart in DOS mode capability. To prevent all comments about using dos, I
have several old programs which require the use of DOS outside windows so
the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all advice.

Reply to this Message

glee - 02 Sep 2005 02:11 GMT

Is the "Restart in MS-DOS Mode" shutdown option missing altogether, or is it just
non-functional?

Click Start> Find> Files or Folders, select the C:\ drive, and search for "Exit to
DOS.pif"
(Be sure to include the quote marks in the search line).
Does it find the shortcut to DOS file?

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> I have found that I am no longer able to shut down windows and have it
> restart in Dos. (i.e.Go to start, shutdown,select restart in DOS). In other
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> have several old programs which require the use of DOS outside windows so
> the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all advice.

Reply to this Message

Ed - 02 Sep 2005 11:50 GMT

Glen:
The shutdown option is non functional. I ran a search for the file you
denoted and all I find is the shortcut icon file. I tried to open it and
got the same result. The system shuts down and does not restart in Dos.
Thanks for any advice you may be able to give me..I am truly stumped!
Ed

> Is the "Restart in MS-DOS Mode" shutdown option missing altogether, or is it just
> non-functional?
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> > have several old programs which require the use of DOS outside windows so
> > the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all advice.

Reply to this Message

Buffalo - 02 Sep 2005 17:31 GMT

> Glen:
> The shutdown option is non functional. I ran a search for the file you
> denoted and all I find is the shortcut icon file. I tried to open it and
> got the same result. The system shuts down and does not restart in Dos.
> Thanks for any advice you may be able to give me..I am truly stumped!
> Ed

When you found the shortcut, where did it point to?
Its command line should point to C:\Windows\command.com.
IE: select properties of that shortcut.

Reply to this Message

Buffalo - 02 Sep 2005 17:50 GMT

While you're waiting for an answer, check out this link:
http://users.iafrica.com/c/cq/cquirke/whatdos.htm

Perhaps it will give you some insight into your problem.
Put "restart in dos" in the search box in Google or others.

Reply to this Message

glee - 04 Sep 2005 03:55 GMT

The shortcut to MS-DOS icon is what *should* be found when you search for "Exit to
DOS.pif" Right-click the shortcut, click Properties, then the Program tab.
In the Cmd line: box it should have: C:\WINDOWS\command.com
The "Close on Exit" box should be checked. When you click the Advanced button below
that, it should show MS-DOS Mode as checked.

So, there is no error message of any kind then, it just does nothing....correct?

Does the MS-DOS Prompt in Windows work?
(Start> Programs> MS-DOS Prompt)

If that does not work either (or even if it does) you might look here =>
Cannot Start a Command Prompt or Restart in MS-DOS Mode:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=195176

Can you start in DOS from the boot menu?
-Start the computer and hold down the CTRL key till the Windows 98 Startup menu
(boot menu) appears.
- Alternately, you can repeatedly tap the F8 key during boot, till the boot menu
appears.
-Use the arrow keys to select "Command Prompt Only" and press Enter.

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> Glen:
> The shutdown option is non functional. I ran a search for the file you
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> > > the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all
> advice.

Reply to this Message

glee - 04 Sep 2005 04:10 GMT

Another idea, Ed.....click Start> Run, type: msconfig and click OK.
On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and uncheck "Process autoexec.bat" and
"Process config.sys"
Click OK and restart.....then try the Restart in MS-DOS Mode shutdown option again,
and post back with your results.

Also, see if this info applies, from MVP Brian Sesko (Brian A), if your system has a
Creative Sound adapter :

<quote>
If it is, it may be that it is loading the DOS sound emulator which I have found to
cause the symptoms you experience. If it is, disable the emulator in Device Manager
and see if it cures the problem.

Right click MyComputer
Click Properties> Device Manager tab
Click the + next to Creative Miscellaneous Devices
Double click Creative SB16 Emulation to open its properties
Under the General tab put a check next to Disable In This Hardware Profile
Click Ok> Ok

Creative's sound emulator is only needed if you use sound in DOS, and as I mentioned
it has caused issues with restarting in DOS.
</quote>

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> Glen:
> The shutdown option is non functional. I ran a search for the file you
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> > > the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all
> advice.

Reply to this Message

Ed - 05 Sep 2005 18:55 GMT

Glen:
I have a Creative sound card but it has no emulator so that is out. No
error message appears in any case or how ever I try to shut down. The
MS-Dos prompt appears from the start menu fine and I can change directories
while in the Dos prompt with in Windows. I am able to access Command.com
from the boot menu by holding the control key down while starting.
I tried the MS config solution you suggested and can not restart in Dos
mode and no error message. I am looking at the Support document 195176 to
see if it offers any solution to my problem. I will post back with my
results. Thanks a million for your interest and suggestions. I would be
tearing my hair out on m y own<Grin>

> Another idea, Ed.....click Start> Run, type: msconfig and click OK.
> On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and uncheck "Process autoexec.bat" and
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
> > > > the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all
> > advice.

Reply to this Message

Rex - 16 Sep 2005 13:10 GMT

> Click Start> Find> Files or Folders, select the C:\ drive, and search for "Exit to
> DOS.pif"
> (Be sure to include the quote marks in the search line).
> Does it find the shortcut to DOS file?

as a rider, i did a search as per above and got zilch.

..Rex..

Reply to this Message

Buffalo - 02 Sep 2005 16:15 GMT

As a temp workaround, you can boot to the *command prompt only* selection at the
Startup Menu until you get the problem figured out. To get to the Start-up Menu,
you usually have to continously tap the ctrl key (it could also be F5 or F8),
right before you get to the point where it says 'starting windows' (or just do
it from the first bootup window).

Reply to this Message

Pat - 18 Nov 2005 22:39 GMT

>I have found that I am no longer able to shut down windows and have it
>restart in Dos. (i.e.Go to start, shutdown,select restart in DOS). In other
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>have several old programs which require the use of DOS outside windows so
>the starting of dos inside Windows is not an option. TIA for all advice.

You may be able to run your DOS programs in a DOS Prompt Box. First try
running them is a DOS box. If you get an error just close the
program/box. This will create a PIF file for the program, actually there
may already be one, check for it. Go to the folder and open the
properties of the PIF file. Click the Program tab then advanced. There
is an option to "Prevent MS-DOS based programs from detecting Win does".
Check the box then OK your way out.

I play Link386, which is from 1993 or 94, and will not run if windows is
running. After selecting this option, it runs fine in a full screen DOS
box.

Signature

Pat

Reply to this Message

glee - 20 Nov 2005 04:22 GMT

Ed,
I don't see your original post, but can you tell us exactly what happens when you
try the Restart in MS-DOS Mode option?
Also, click Start> Find> Files or Folders, and search the C: drive for a file named
"Exit To DOS.pif" including the quote marks. It should exist in the C:\Windows
folder. If you find it, right-click it and click Properties on the menu that
appears, then click the Program tab> Advanced button, and post back with what is
selected there.

Can you start in DOS by using the boot menu to boot to Command Prompt Only?
- Start the computer and hold down the CTRL key till the Windows 98 Startup menu
(boot menu) appears.
OR
- Repeatedly tap the F8 key after the memory count to bring up the boot menu.
- Use the arrow keys to select "Command Prompt Only" and press Enter.

Signature

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> >I have found that I am no longer able to shut down windows and have it
> >restart in Dos. (i.e.Go to start, shutdown,select restart in DOS). In other
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> running. After selecting this option, it runs fine in a full screen DOS
> box.

Reply to this Message