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how to boot to dos in 2000

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by labs9

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how do you make Windows 2000 advanced server boot to a DOS promt that is not emulated or in shell

6 replies

by timwalsh

Windows 2000 doesn't include true DOS. Unlike Win9x and prior operating systems, where Windows was essentially a GUI built on top of DOS, Win2K is built on a modified WinNT kernal and doesn't include DOS. All you see in Win2K is a Virtual DOS machine (VDM).

by brian

You can use a DOS boot floppy. This could include one made from Windows 95/98/ME. However if you are using NTFS you can't access the hard drive this way. If it is formated with Fat or Fat32 you can access the data with a boot disk.

The NTFS file system provides many benefits and is most likely being used on your server. If it is the best option you have is to use the Recovery Console.

The recovery console provides limited access to the hard disk. You can install by running Drive#:/Path/Winnt32.exe /cmdcons
from a command prompt with the path to the Winnt32.exe file specified where it says Drive#:/Path/
If you don't have the install programs on the network, you will need to find the WINNT32.exe program on the Windows 2000 CD.

by brian

I have the slashes mixed up in the above answer.
For instance to install the Recovery Console from a 2000 Professional Disk in drive E:, type
E:\I386\Winnt32.exe /cmdcons
Once this is setup - You can choose to boot to the recovery console at theOS selection menu durring system boot.

Once loaded it looks like a DOS prompt. I have had to use it when my system didn't boot and it saved my -bacon.

It can also be used to disable system services that may be preventing the system from booting.
You must log on as the system administrator.

by labs9

thanks for the info we got the command councel installed but were still having some problems the file we are trying to get to keeps comming up access denied

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