Hi all, I am building a new computer and want to have it so that I can dual-boot DOS (to Windows for Workgroups 3.11) and Windows XP. I have been reading up on it, and am pretty confident in my understanding of it. The last time I actually partitioned and formatted a hard disk was in 1999, so I just want to make sure of a few things.

1.) Should I boot using the Seagate software CDROM to partition and format the hard disk before installing the OS's? I plan to have, which I believe can be done, 2.1GB C:\ as FAT16, and the rest (≈397GB) D:\ as NTFS for Windows XP. Microsoft's website said to install DOS first.

Also, concerning hardware, the motherboard has built-in Parallel, Serial, Ethernet, and Sound. Unfortunately there is no ISA. I have a few quick questions about these things:

2.) Is the data transfer between such elements like the Ethernet and Sound handled on the motherboard by (I think) the North Bridge Controller? Otherwise will I have to install a PCI Ethernet card (presumably one made before 2000)?

3.) For Windows XP mode, I have a GeForce 6800GT video card but it is PCI express. Will it work in 3.1? I am inclined to beleive so if I can work in BIOS because that is displayed before the OS. If not, will a PCI video board work?

Many thanks in advance for any help. For edification, I plan to use the XP portion mainly for the new, high-end games but I will be doing the bulk of my school/work in 3.1. Long live retro computing!

Just my 2¢ worth, but unless there's some earth-shattering reason to run it on a new machine, you'll have far fewer issues if you just set aside an older machine for Win3.1. New hardware simply wasn't designed for older O/S's or GUI's (and vice-versa)...

If you have a blank hard drive then install MS-DOS6.xx and that will give you the options to FDisk/Format max 2GB FAT16.

When you have that sorted then start install from the XP CD and it will allow you to format - partition the remaing disk space.

XP will pick up MS-DOS and create a dual boot.

Please be aware that MS-DOS can not read natively FAT32

As to hardware compatibility. DOS/W3.xx drivers:

Sound Cards - unlikely

Ethernet - probably depending on Protocol and Connectivity required

Graphics Card - unlikely to get better than 256 colours

Chipset drivers should not be a problem as no drivers should be required, unless you use SATA HDD's

Still better to purloin an old PC !! Good Luck !!

Alternatively Virtual PC:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx

You can quite legitimately run DOS/Windows 3.1 on a new machine, as even for XP, there is no self-boot capability.

C: should be fat16, and less than 496 MB. Otherwise, some progs will convert it to fat32.

Install DOS (and optionally Windows 3.1) first, and then install Windows XP onto partitions in the extended drive. Try to keep xp out of the dos partition. (long file name stuff)

There used to be a proggie called NTSUBST that could subst c: to a different directory.

Apart from that all should run sweetly.

W

The dream you dream alone is only a dream,
The dream we dream together is reality.

"as even for XP, there is no self-boot capability"

huh?

=====================================
If at first you don't succeed, you're about average.

M2

"C: should be fat16, and less than 496 MB."

... which is, of course, nonsense as the FAT16 limit is obviously in the neighbourhood of 2Gb

WfW is only a GUI, and will run on FAT32 "DOS 7.1" if desired - regardless, drivers will likely be an issue (as noted)

I'll echo that "huh?" though

You are, once again, Microsoft's bitch

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MS-DOS 6.xx should be OK with SATA Drives, but try them on their own controller as opposed to an IDE to SATA Connector.

Bear in mind that several of the new chipsets do not have W9x/ME support, therefore unless you experiment there is no ultimate answer.

Therefore would suggest you go and try all the things you want to do and then come back here and share your experience so we can all learn, I aint goimg to do it for you!!

If you leave an email contact can send you some MS-DOS info which is too long to post here.............

etwjr at verizon dot net

Thank you so much for your help! I definitely will post my results.

One other thing, is it possible to set up a triple-boot using WFW 3.11, WinNT 3.51, and XP? The only documentation I could find closest to this on the Microsoft web site is about NT 4.0 and 2000. Thanks!

AFAIK if you install MS-DOS (W3 is a GUI for DOS) NT3.xx then XP it should create a triple boot M$ has some good articles see:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306559/en-us

Email on the way hopefully!!!!!!!

I did receive it. I will have time to read through the material later tonight. Thank you so much!

Everything seems to be working well. I got the dual booting to work. Thanks everyone for your help!