when i goto start shutdown there is no option to boot into DOS mode... how can i get into pure DOS through windows? Is therer a way to manually do it? Or how can i make that option available. thanks.

Press F8 just before W98 starts will get various options........

I've tried that and it doesn't work. I've tried booting up with a Boot Disk in but it doesn't read A:\ on startup. and I think that option to have A:\ boot up on startup is in BIOS and my BIOS is password protected... There's gotta be someway i can get to pure DOS within windows.

In my standard W98, when I click on START then SHUTDOWN, I am given 3 options:- SHUT DOWN RESTART RESTART IN MS-DOS MODE Are you saying you only have two options? If so, was this pc ever used on a network? The problems you describe (e.g. not booting from a floppy) are often found on an ex-network pc's and are there because of security reasons. Even the hdd can be password protected. Previously to overcome, I have had to discharge the cmos battery in order to reset the bios back to default and then format the hdd and re-build the o/s. I am left with a nice pc but nothing relating to its previous usage, which is fair enough for security reasons. Good luck - keep us posted.

I have 3 options. Restart, Shutdown, and Standby. I'm not sure if it was ever on a network or not. Theres gotta be something in the registry thats taking off the Restart in MS-DOS Mode option.

go to the RUN command and type MSCONFIG and hit enter. when MS configuration opens.. click on advanced and put a check to display startup menu during boot.. you will see a menu to select many options including safe mode and Dos prompt.

i accidently started in MS DOS mode, and cannot figure out how to start the computer after that ( i dont mean turn it on)...what do I type in after the WINDOWS/>?