Windows ME doesn't allow you to boot to DOS! Shock! Horror! Did they steal it? Is it a conspiracy? Is it true? Ahhh...Nope... not quite

Once again I shall continue as my inbox rapidly fills with flaming emails...

OK, lets get this straight first of all. You CAN still access DOS with Windows ME. I don't disagree that the die hard DOS users will be suffering a little and yes it can be annoying if you're on a ME system but let's not forget that ME is targeted to the 'home market' not the die hard users.. and here's another thought...why install/buy ME if you're DOS dependant when you know the ME isn't exactly DOS friendly?? Now if you've got no idea what the fuss is all about then you've probably never used (or had to use) DOS before and the only thing your going to notice is that the option to "Restart Computer in MS-DOS Mode" is missing from your Shutdown menu. Basically DOS was 'removed' to speed up the boot time of windows... meaning how long it takes your computer to get up and running from when you hit the power button to when it's ready for you to use. People use to complain that Windows took too long to boot, so Microsoft removes the DOS option to decrease the boot time, people now complain that they can't boot to DOS...arrggghhh! Microsoft must be pulling their hair out in pure frustation!

Here's the low down...Microsoft hasn't completely removed DOS at all, it's still there (though a little damaged round the edges) and you can still access it if you need to.. it's just not as accessible as it use to be. Agreed it's not exactly simple getting to it but it's not exactly rocket science either. If you rarely use DOS then you're best bet is to throw your Startup disk into A drive, restart your computer and access it from there. If you're use to having DOS at your fingertips and are desperate to get you hands on it again then there's a really neat patch available appropriately called the [Real DOS-Mode Patch for Windows Millennium] By Reines MFD. Do take care to read ALL the documentation first and if the idea of using a 'patch' makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand out then don't use it.

Note:
For a refresher on DOS commands head to [www.easydos.com]

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