computer stuck in DOS MODE

Derek October 15, 2009 at 17:34:06

When you restart from the startup menu and select Safe Mode do you still get the black DOS screen? It's possible something has gone into Autoexec.bat so try typing the following commands from DOS: ren c:\autoexec.bat autoexec.old ren c:\config.sys config.old Type these "exactly" (including spaces) and hit Enter after each of the two command lines. The above action temporarily disables the two files and Windows should start without them. They are only necessary for games etc run in DOS. To restore them, if necessary, use these commands: ren c:\autoexec.old autoexec.bat ren c:\config.old config.sys some other bloke...

DAVEINCAPS October 15, 2009 at 18:34:54

Just clicking on 'restart in msdos mode' won't lock you into a dos loop. Did you try to run some dos software that needed to reboot the computer in order to run? If so, this may help: http://www.computing.net/answers/wi... But under those circumstances, as Derek points out, just renaming those files will fix the problem.

Thank you for you replies but I still have a problem. I typed EXACTLY what was said and now this is what it says: Windows 98 is now starting your MS-DOS-based program. The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\WINDOWS\DBLBUFF.SYS The following file is missing or corrupted: C:\IFSHLP.SYS HIMEM.SYS is missing. Make sure that the file is in your Windows directory. Windows has stopped. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart your computer. That's exactly what comes on the screen and I did what it said but it continues coming up the same. When I rebooted this time I pressed the F8 button until the Windows 98 Startup Menu came up I guess Im retarded because I really did a number on this computer it won't even let me start in safe mode or anything. It just tells me to ctrl alt delete to restart it. Is there anyway I can just Restore this D6%$ thing to an earlier date? Thanks again for your time. Have a great weekend!

DAVEINCAPS October 16, 2009 at 12:08:30

SCANREG/RESTORE will restore your registry to an earlier date but that's not going to fix your problem. The 'windows is now starting your msdos based program' means your config.sys and autoexec.bat have been rewritten. Just use F8 and choose 'safe mode command prompt only' . Then do what Derek mentioned in #1 above. Edit You say you've renamed them but that's not possible, else you wouldn't be getting those messages. The fact that himem.sys and the other files can't be found is puzzling as they should exist regardless of what is calling them. Hopefully it's because windows is installed in a directory other than C:\WINDOWS and your 98 will run normally. The other possiblilty is those files were deleted. They can be replaced but the fact they are missing may mean that many others are too. But go ahead and rename config.sys and autoexec.bat, reboot and see what happens.

Derek October 16, 2009 at 12:30:53

Run with DAVEINCAPS #4 but just a couple of questions and comments: Have you a floppy drive on that machine? Sometimes when you get a stack of files 'apparently' missing it is not actually true. There is a possibility that some common file such as msdos.sys or vmm32.vxd is missing/corrupted. Re-installing Windows might turn out to be the only practical answer. So here's the next question: Have you a W98 CD? some other bloke...

Thanks Guys for your time and help but it's gone back to the other mess it was doing before. I have no idea what I have done all I know is I accidently clicked that dang "restart in MS-DOS" thing yesterday instead of the "restart". This was running perfect before I did that. I think I'll just give it a rest for a bit before I throw it in the trash! :) Have a good day and again, thank you both.

Mechanix2Go October 16, 2009 at 22:07:05

Presumably you are using another box to post here. Go to www.bootdisk.com and get the file[s] needed to create a win98 boot floppy or CD or both. Boot your DELL on whichever suits. Then at the prompt enetr these two lines: type c:\config.sys [enter] type c:\autoexec.bat [enter] ===================================== Helping others achieve escape felicity M2

SSUE: After starting to MS-DOS mode using an MS-DOS pif, the computer is stuck in an MS-DOS loop where the computer will not return to Windows after restarting. If you type Exit, the computer does restart, but returns to MS-DOS mode. The same happens if the computer is turned off and turned back on. RESOLUTION: Quit the MS-DOS-based program properly. Windows should then start automatically. If Windows does not start automatically, use the following steps to work around this issue. 1. Turn on the computer and begin pressing the F8 key in one-second intervals. If you complete this step successfully, the Microsoft Windows Startup Menu opens. If no menu opens, and Windows starts up normally, repeat this step. 2. From the menu, select Safe Mode Command Prompt Only, and then press the ENTER key. If you complete this step correctly, a command prompt appears. 3. At the command prompt, type: Win /wx. Press ENTER. ============================================ web hosting..dedicated server..vps hosting..domain registration

Mechanix2Go May 29, 2010 at 04:29:11

LOL If it wasn't worth dealing with for the last 6 months why mess now. moderator? ===================================== Helping others achieve escape felicity M2