KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q75192: Zenith Multiboot Option and MS-DOS 5.0

Article: Q75192
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:5.x
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 5.0, 5.0a 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The setup/diagnostic shell built into ROM on Zenith computers normally allows
you to select several different drives as the boot drive. Under MS-DOS 5.0, the
only options that will work are the first hard disk (C) and the first floppy
drive (A).

MORE INFORMATION
================

The setup/diagnostic shell is invoked on some Zenith computers by pressing the
CTRL+ALT+INSERT key combination. This shell will accept a number of commands,
one of them being the command that switches the boot drive. The normal syntax of
this command is as follows:

  B [{F|W}][{0|1|2|3}][:<partition>]

where

  F = Floppy
  W = Winchester (hard drive)
  0 = the first drive
  1 = the second drive, and so on

For example, BW0 means boot from the first hard disk (C), and BF1 means boot from
the second floppy (B). By design, MS-DOS 5.0 can only boot from the first hard
drive (C) and the first floppy drive (A). Consequently, the only valid options
under MS-DOS 5 are BW0 and BF0.

The product included here is manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we
make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or
reliability.

Additional query words: 5.00 3rdparty

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS500a
Version           : MS-DOS:5.x

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.