My xp machine won't let me use dos! When I start a dos program (which I have a ton of) it says something about autoexec.cnt, and that it is unsuitable for running dos and windows applications.

that would be autoexec.nt Dos programs were written to a particular version of dos. If you want to run dos programs under XP you have a lot to learn. My suggestion is go to MS's web site and search on dos compatiblity and what you need to do to configure XP to run these programs. ps xp doesn't have dos but a command line interface. big difference as you can see. Or set yourself up a multiboot system with Dos and xp and when you want to run dos programs you actually boot to dos. Golly gee wilerkers everyone. Learn to Internet Search

There is no MS-DOS in the NT Family it is NTVDM aka New Technology Virtual DOS Machine. Therefore if you read this article written for NT4, the bottom line is the same, they are two entirely different O/Ses: http://www.windowsitlibrary.com/Content/226/03/toc.html Windows NT for DOS Jockeys

Get qemu (emulator)and install a type of dos (freedos or pcdos or whatever) that you need in the emulated machine's dos.

Error message when you install or start an MS-DOS or 16-bit Windows-based program

Chuck 2 has the answer... 98% of the population is asleep. The other 2% are staring around in complete amazement, abject terror, or both.

Thanks for the help. I'll try the microsoft thing (when I get my computer running again). Some games are for windows but are installed through dos.