Configure Windows 9x startup with Msdos.sys

1 January 2000 by Snakefoot | Comment » | Trackback Off
The Msdos.sys file is located in the root of the system partition (Usually C:), and contains settings that control the startup of Windows 9x. The Msdos.sys is a standard text-file, which can be edited using Notepad.

The MsDos.sys contains two sections:
  • [Paths] - Specifies the location of the Windows installation.
  • [Options] - Specifies the settings used at Windows startup.
Some of the more useful settings available in the [options]-section:
SettingDescription
AutoScan = 2Run scandisk at startup after Windows crash (0 = No, 1 = Prompt, 2 = Scan)
BootDelay = 0How many seconds one have to press F5/F8 to break startup
BootGUI = 1Launch Windows after running Autoexec.bat
BootKeys = 1Enable startup keyboard keys (F5/F8)
BootMenu = 1Show boot menu by default, like if the F8 key was pressed
BootMenuDelay = 3How many seconds it should show the boot menu before continuing
BootMulti = 0Allows booting to the previous operating system Windows by pressing F8 at startup
DblSpace = 0Load double space drivers
DrvSpace = 0Load drive space drivers
DoubleBuffer = 0Enable double buffering for SCSI devices
Loadtop = 1Load Command.com in upper memory
Logo = 1Show Windows logo while booting
Network = 1Enable network support in safemode
More Info MS KB Q118579

Updated: 2 July 2007

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