Initially I had two partitions (C and D) for WIN95 and WIN NT (dual booting system). I have installed LINUX-Mandrake 7.1 and the booting is now controlled by LILo (i.e giving the option to go either to DOS or LINUX). If I chose DOS and go to WIN95 that works superbe but if I choose NT it can't find the nt**rnl.exe file. The reason the D no longer exist as far as the DOS is concerned. Used FDISK can see only C with two partitions the second non-dos (linux). But checked mounting in LINUX and WIN NT is there on hda5 (mounted). How can I run NT from the DOS.

You really need to give more info. Where was Linux installed (which partition/hard disk). I would suggest using the LINUX fdisk and then reporting what partitions you have in your question. Win9x FDISK calls everything a non-dos partition!

Thanks for your reply. I have carried out what you suggested and the findings are very interesting: The partititons listed by LINUX are name start end id system hda1 1 128 6 FAT16 hda2 129 790 Linux extended hda5 129 383 6 FAT16 hda6 Linux hda7 Linux swap hda8 Linux I know hda1 refers to WIN95 on C drive and I know tha hda5 refers to WIN NT (on ex D drive, no longer visible to DOS). The funny thing, as you can see from the above table, is that hda5 (NT) and Linux extended are overlapping (start at the same cylinder number) is this revealing? Would it be possible to use Linux FDISK to delete another delete hda7,8 may be be and create a DOS partition where I can transfer the mounted NT system. Your move (much appreciated)

Check Mandrake home page. Bug in Mandrake 7.1. I think this will solve your problem. ""Error scenario: After installation, the second windows partition (drive D:) is no longer available When: During a non-expert installation, with a non-Linux first extended partition (ie. hda5), diskdrake changes the extended partition type to "linux extended" (ie. changes hda2 type to 0x85). Why: diskdrake tries to use a "linux extended" partition type instead of a normal "extended" or "windows extended" partion type when there are only linux extended partitions (which exist mainly to please Windows). However, it does not take into account the first extended partition on the drive. Solution: Use this patch to fix the problem during installation. If the damage has already been done, the other solution is to use this script which fixes the problem on a live system. To run the patch, use perl linux_extended_fix.pl on the command line as root."" http://www.linux-mandrake.com/en/heliumlast.php3

to Robert Man o Man it is 8 pm in London and I can see my NT system thanks to you. Thanks a lot Robert and if you were in front of me I would have kissed your butt. I was about to reformat and re-install the whole system. The last time I did it the wife threatened me with divorce. Thanks again man. Roumane