DOS with Windows XP

I am aware that windows xp only has a partially functioning version of the DOS operating system. Where can I get a copy of the whole system and how do I install this alongside XP. Any help would be appreciated.

Windows XP and the other windows which use the NT structure do not boot into DOS and then load up windows like 95 and 98 used to. But the command propmt (cmd.exe) in XP is fully fuctional. These days i cant think of any reason you`d want to install DOS on a seperate partion. But if you have some need for it i`ll give you the links to FreeDOS and explain how to install it along side XP if your not sure on how to partion your drive.
Mark

What are you trying to do that you need a full version of dos?

Like homenet said I believe cmd.exe is fully funtional... installing on the same partion is not possible (to my knowledge) because winxp is not a fake os like the former versions which simply ran "on top" of DOS. You could install it on a separate partion, but I think you shouldn't have any problems with cmd.exe if you really look into it.

I don't see how simple DOS can be of more use to you than cmd.exe.
Cmd.exe is better than command.com because it is easier to use, it has more commands, and you can for example repeat a command by using the up arrow until you get to the desired command.

Also, Win XP comes with both the command.com (the older DOS) and with cmd.exe. The reason is that some proggies that may not work with cmd have command to be run with.

Actually the version of DOS installed on XP is not the full version of DOS it does not have all of the comands that the full version of DOS has. And to get the full version you have to download it from a website like www.download.com then, copy it to a flopy, then you will have to install it before you install a operating system. So if you wan't the full version download it delete you're old OS then install the newest DOS before you Install you're new OS and it SHOULD default to the newest version of DOS and not eaven install the XP version.

Windows XP install will actually overwrite any os, whether it be DOS or anything else, when it installs.

Like mentioned before XP doesn't use DOS.
There isn't DOS in XP. Just cmd.exe, which is a command line.

I dont think XP will overwrite anything unless you want it to, but there are some problems here. DOS is a 16-bit OS and will need a FAT16 partition, while you can put XP and DOS on a FAT16 Partition (Why God?) and use a boot manager, I cant say why anyone would want to. You will of course be limted to 64K clusters with a grand total of 2GB (Windows will recognize 4GB but DOS will not) for your Windows XP and DOS which may leave you with enough room for Leisure Suit Larry I.

-Maestr0

It is not MS DOS , it is a DOS-like interface that allow users to perform some command line fucntions

Sorry, I meant it will overwrite anything on the partition you install it on if you do a fresh install, ie. not and upgrade.

I am trying to delete some index.dat files that store your history of visited websites in files that are hidden from windows. From the way I understand it you must find them with dos and I was told that you needed to boot the computer in dos to do so. Does anyone have anymore information on this.

Nice, a whole page of posts and still no one answered where he could get a version of DOS.


http://www.freedos.org/

Go there and check that out. they have a documentation section so you should be fine. If you were willing to read what WE told you, you should have no problems reading the manuals for Free DOS.

http://www.dosgames.com/

And that is for some fun after you get it installed.

I believe that would depend on what browser you are using, if I am not mistaken. Also couldn't you use the "attrib -h" command at the command prompt? I know that the command is still active and that is how you unhide things that are marked as hidden. If you knew were the files were supposed to be located. If I remember correctly "dir /a" should give you a directory listing with file types.

Correct. Dir /a will give you a listing of files in the current directory, tell you if its a directory, and shows file extensions of the files in the current directory. For example file.ini. DOS is more powerful than it is given credit for. I have poked fun at it, but that was what it was, poking fun, I use it. I have PC-DOS 6.3 on the original IBM floppies it came on when you bought it.

find bootdisk for win98se at www.bootdisk.com then make a disk bootable. after that shutdown and restart the computer with the disk in. Now you are in command.com and can edit or delete the files you need. you should know the location of the files you want to delete so you can navigate to those directories to delete them. you should also be familiar with some dos commands to help you along.
CD space and the direcories name = move to that directory
cd/ = gets you back to the root directory
dir/w = lists the directory
del and name of file = deletes file and directories
copy and file name = copys files
deltree and name = directories and files
edit and full name = edit files
mkdir and name= make a directory
rd and name= remove directory

there are alot more commands but these should get what you want to do.

Agent007 you can delet the histories that you want to with cmd.exe. There was a post on this subject sometime ago here at AO. I'll see if i can find it and i'll post the link to it.

Here you go take a look at this tute you should be able to get to all that hidden stuff with this, therefor you can get rid of it.

http://www.antionline.com/showthread...internet+files

You won't be able to use DOS to delete them files at all. DOS can't read NTFS partitions, or FAT32 either. If you still want this OS though, there's a version that comes with windows XP. It is quite cut down though and isn't of much use. The only use i've put it to is when updating my BIOS.

All you got to do is stick a blank floppy in the drive, and open windows explorer. Right-click the floppy drive, choose format, and check the box that says 'create an MS-DOS startup disk'. Easy :)