Installing MS-DOS Version 6.2x After Windows NT or Later Is Installed (104429)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server
This article was previously published under Q104429

SUMMARY

If you install MS-DOS version 6.2x on a computer that has Windows NT or later installed, the boot sector of the original operating system may be erased, which prevents it from loading.

Windows and MS-DOS 6.2x can be on the same computer. However, if MS-DOS 6.2x is installed after Windows, then you may need to use the following procedure to restore the Flex Boot Loader.

MORE INFORMATION

To repair the Windows boot sector:

Windows 2000

  1. Start your computer using either the Setup Boot Disk or by booting from the Windows 2000 CD-ROM.
  2. For Setup options, press R for Repair.
  3. Choose the Manual repair process.

Windows NT 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

  1. Start your computer using the Setup Boot Disk. Insert Setup Disk 2 when prompted.
  2. For Setup options, press R for Repair.
  3. Four selections appear and all four are selected by default. You can press ENTER to select or clear the options. Clear the selections of all options except Inspect Boot Sector; this should be the only option that has an X in front of it.
  4. Select Continue and press ENTER.
  5. If you want Setup to detect mass storage devices in you computer again, press ENTER. If you want to skip the mass storage device detection, press S.
  6. Press ENTER after performing/skipping the mass storage device detection. Insert Setup Disk 3 when prompted.
  7. If you have the Emergency Repair Disk, press ENTER, insert the disk, and press ENTER again. If you do not have the Emergency Repair Disk, press ESC to allow Setup to locate Windows NT 3.5 or 3.51 and the Repair information.
  8. At the DOS prompt, edit the Boot.ini with the following statement: C:\="<desired text>"

    <desired text> is what you would like to be displayed on the selection menu.

    Note: The boot.ini file is a hidden.
  9. Remove the disk from Drive A and press ENTER to restart your computer.
When you restart your system, the Windows Flex Boot Loader screen will appear, allowing you to choose between MS-DOS version 6.2x and Windows.


Windows NT 3.1

  1. Start your system using Disk 1 - Setup Disk for Floppy Disk Installation. (Or Disk 1 - Setup Disk for CD-ROM Installation if Windows NT was set up using a CD-ROM.)
  2. When prompted for Setup options, press R for Repair.
  3. When prompted to do so, insert the Emergency Repair Disk that was originally created for this computer.
  4. Reinsert Disk 1 when prompted. (This is the same disk with which you started your system.)
  5. You will see three selections. All three will be selected by default. Using the SPACEBAR to select/clear the options, clear the selection of all options except Verify Boot Files On Your C: Drive. This should be the only option that has an X in front of it.
  6. Select Continue and press the ENTER key.
  7. The software will run CHKDSK and verify startup files and the Windows boot sector will be rebuilt. You will be prompted to restart your computer when the procedure is complete.
When you restart your system, the Windows Flex Boot Loader screen will appear, allowing you to choose between MS-DOS version 6.2x and Windows NT.

For additional information on Dual Booting after installing Windows, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Article-ID: 153762
TITLE: Setting Up Dual Boot After Installing Windows NT

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/6/2003
Keywords:kbinterop KB104429
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