I did the f8 thingy and there were no errors as for the "rem"ing, there was nothing to rem! (see my thread in archive 50for the stuff that I have tried) Thanks :-)

Please post your CONFIG.SYS file. Any other config file is a old backup. If config.sys is ok, and you can run dos programs before windows starts (chose command prompt only at startup) Try this: start,run, type "command" without the quotes. Also try start, find, type " *.pif' and double click on dosprmpt.pif amd exit to dos.pif and Ms dos prompt.pif . If the screen goes blank type exit and hit enter key should go back to windows

I have tried your suggestions: Ms-dosprompt =(sometimes) open window w/white screen (title of screen= RgCrtKey)and message that reads: "This program cannot run in window because of the way it uses the display. Press Alt+Enter to run the program in a full screen.". After following the directions, nothing happens. If I try to close the screen in any other way (Ctr+Alt+Del or hit the little 'X' at the top-right of the window, the computer reboots! Exit to Dos= (See above) I am able to run dos programs BEFORE windows starts.Config.sys is posted in archive 50 on this site aling with other info. To make things easier, here it is again (I hope it turns out 'OK'. I am doing a copy-and-paste thing :-) ): "Comment: Help! Dos prompt is failing to operate in win95b on my machine. When the window is minimized, it works!when I click on the minimized window, the screen goes black, computer freezes, monitor automatically shuts down. TJhere are still lights on on my tower. No automatic reboot when this happens, just freeze. Dos programs? exactly the same thing happens. I am able to run dos programs at the dos prompt before windows kicks in. Win95b, 98megs, 6gigs, pentium (Intel), Matrox Milleneum video card, SoundBlaster32(?)soundcard, Norton Utilities, CybertMedia Uninstaller, ICQ,MSN Messenger, eSafe Protect, FreeMem, Napster Any other that I can provide, I will. Plaese email me :-)" REPLY 1 " Reply: Try this- make a boot disk in add/remove programs, start up disk. When windows asks for the cd to make the disk it also refreshes the dos emulator files. It worked for me once" REPLY " Hi there. I have tried using my boot disc, just for kicks (once) and a few times when my computer had crashed. All I get, in both scenarios, is an a: prompt! Even when the 'puter is running correctly. Go figure :-)" REPLY "you may have a device conflict- a dos window switches your display driver to use a real mode driver. i would confirm that irqs etc , especially for your sound card are the same in windows as those in dos-mode, - check in your autoexec/config.sys." REPLY " Here is what was in my autoexec.bat file: rem - By Windows Setup - C:\WINDOWS1\COMMAND\MSCDEX /D:MSCD001 /V @Rem *************** This strings were added by AVP Setup Program *************** @if exist C:\PROGRA~1\ANTIVI~1\avpscan.bat call C:\PROGRA~1\ANTIVI~1\avpscan.bat @Rem *************** End of strings added by AVP Setup Program *************** This is what was in my config.sys file: DEVICE=C:\CDPRO\VIDE-CDD.SYS /D:MSCD001 I checked (right clicked on My Computer)to see if there was a conflict. There appeared to be none! separate irq's. Thanks for your input. Every little bit heLPS :-)" REPLY " I just finished doing some serching and found that I have multiple config.sys files!! eSafeProtect (vandal protection): DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS DOS=HIGH,UMB PartitionMagic (partitioning program): DOS=HIGH,UMB LASTDRIVE=Z REM ------------------------------------------------------- REM -- Put codepage (yyy) codes here. -- REM ------------------------------------------------------- REM DEVICEHIGH=DISPLAY.SYS CON=(EGA,yyy,) REM ------------------------------------------------------- REM -- Put network or CD-ROM drivers here. -- REM ------------------------------------------------------- REM DEVICE=CDROM.SYS /D=driver_name BootMagic (boot manager): LASTDRIVE=Z ; Put Network or CD-ROM Drivers here. C:\ (my hard Drive): DEVICE=C:\CDPRO\VIDE-CDD.SYS /D:MSCD001 Does this help any? :-)" REPLY "One danger when installing a 3.1 program on win95 is it will write to your configeration files. Win95 auto loads himem and path and dos high ect so rem out these lines. It is normal to find backup copys of config.sys such as conf.old or config.bak . config.sys is the active file. To make shure the start up files are loading corectly hit f8 at start up and choose step by step confermation. Check for any error messages as each driver loads " REPLY "I did the f8 thingy and there were no errors as for the "rem"ing, there was nothing to rem! (see my thread in archive 50for the stuff that I have tried) Thanks :-)"

Use the find function to find ms DOS prompt.PIF and right click on it and choose properties. In screen tab initial size should be 25 lines and select full screen. In memory tab every choice should be set to auto. In font tab font size should be auto. In advanced program settings chose prevent ms DOS programs from detecting windows

screen tab: I set the initial size to 25 (it was not set to this). I selected full screen (changed from window) Memory tab: Everything is set to auto (no changes made) Font tab: I set to true type and bitmap (these were my only options)and auto (no changes made) Advanced: I chose 'prevent ms-dos from detecting windows" unchecked 'suggest as neccesary' (both were checked) Lets see if this works. I will let you know if it works or any error messages I recieve. You have been so patient. It is appreciated :-) Thx.

<***ting*** a bell chimes> To avoid disappointment and further frustration, please skip the next sentence! I changed what you suggested, same thing happens--black screen, freeze, monitor shuts off--- all in about that order. Had to reboot. :-(

Have you compressed your hard drive recently? I beleive that can cause some problems with dos.