From: d43m0n@shaw.ca   
      
   Ant wrote:   
   > "Adam Farwick" wrote:   
   >   
   >   
   >>does anyone know how to configure a computer so when i turn it on, it doesnt   
   >>automattically start up windows?  as in it starts in ms-dos, and just leaves   
   >>it at that?  im running windows xp, if it helps.  thanks in advance.   
   >   
   >   
   > There is no underlying or separate MS-DOS in NT based operating   
   > systems (which XP is). The closest you might get is safe mode with   
   > command prompt, but you're still in Windows. Only Win9x systems can   
   > boot into MS-DOS mode.   
   >   
   >   
   Thats bullshit...   
      
   For one thing DOS 6.22 runs in a 16 bit format, so of course you need   
   FAT partition to run "DOS", and you would need another partition for   
   your Windows OS, since they all run in a 32 bit format, and range from   
   FAT 32 and NTFS. Both Windows 2000, and Windows XP may detect the DOS   
   partition and may configure the boot manager to allow you to select the   
   partition to boot when the installation is complete.   
      
   Of course, not to limit your thinking, you can also install many Boot   
   Managers and simple split your HDD into many partitions as you see fit.   
      
   I was successful at pulling out a hdd layout that allowed 2 windows   
   operating systems, and 1 linux. First I created I created a FAT (2,048   
   mb) called boot drive, then 5 partitions for linux, each 5 gigs each,   
   and then I created a 20 gig for windows 98, which was a bit excessive to   
   say the least, and then created a NTFS partition for Windows 2000, and   
   of course a FAT 32 partition as a "data drive" for all 3 operating   
   systems to read. First you have to install Windows 98, it will over   
   write any MBR. Then you install windows 2000, so it'll will write the   
   mbr, as well as load its own boot manager on the boot drive, since its   
   still within the invisable bootable range on the harddrive. Then I   
   installed linux, and my Boot Manager Lilo. Lilo Detected the C: and   
   simply called Windows, that way, if say I choose to boot windows, it   
   would load the windows 2000 boot manager within C, and ask if I want to   
   load D: or E: (98 or 2000).   
      
   Of course, I could add a third os, dos, and just modify the C:\ to allow   
   booting of the C:\ from start up...   
      
   Of course, you are limited to have 24 Logical and/or 4 Primary   
   partitions. And you need to remeber, each windows os is "Backwards"   
   Compatible with its older Partition Type. DOS <= FAT, Windows 95 <=   
   FAT32, Windows NT/2000/XP <= NTFS. If thats to hard to remember, get the   
   f*** off this news group.   
      
   * Daemon   
      
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    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)