how do you start cmd/dos?

Question

how do you start CMD/DOS before the computer takes you to enter your password for a user account. is there and F key or a combination of keys?

for windwos vista/xp

Answer 1

Check these links fo detailed help..
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chdos.htm
As simple as it gets..

:)

Answer 2

F8 key after POST or after the first splash screen, i.e(dell, gateway, compaq) logo but before the windows logo. That will allow you to boot into a safe mode or command prompt mode in windows 2000/xp. In windows 95/98 F8 or hold the shift key. Now if you want a true dos, use boot disk. However most functionality of the 2000/Xp is 32 bit so a true dos environment won't allow you to do alot in those operating systems.

Answer 3

In windows 98 / 95 days - you just smack the f8 key after post, or hold the shift key down while booting.

From 2000/XP forward - the shell runs ontop of windows, not windows ontop of the shell.

Doesn't work like that anymore.

You can boot to your xp install cd and use the recovery console for some of this type of functionality.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

You would like to start DOS before the login process?
i don't think thats possible,
You can install DOS on another partition and choose to load up into DOS rather than XP
but the log on process i believe shouldn't be hendered on a windows system because it is a parent process that spawns other processes like dominoes i can't see how DOS would come into play before the 32 subsystem is spawned. DOS and anything DOS like works in a VDM on windows XP.
Thats just what i think though, are you talking about the recovery console? that there is an option to get into IF you have it installed locally then it should be an option to choose in the boot loader screen, if not u would need the Installation media and to boot from CD and to allow the set up to intitialize and to press "r" for recovery and u will be in a DOS like environment with access to your hard drive. =)

Answer 5

Depends on the version of Windows you are using. With Windows 95,98 and ME, you can press the F8 key during boot up and then select it from the boot menu. DOS is not available in WIndows 2000, XP or Vista during bootup.

To get in to DOS on those system, you will need a DOS boot disk. You can download such disk from http://download.com

However, DOS only recognizes FAT32 hard drives. If your drive is format with NTFS (only option with 2000 and Vista, and the default wwith XP) then DOS will see it as a blank, unformatted disk. (That is why DOS is not a boot option on those systems.)

Answer 6

You should have a CDrom to boot from dos. Or you can hit F8 while the computer load window and it will give you the menu to choose safe mode -> Safe mode with comandfrompt only. It will help

Answer 7

I'm not sure, try restarting, and when it's loading it should say 'Press F1 to enter Startup' or something. From there you might be able to restart in DOS.

Answer 8

the start in where the command prompot is changed... to change it back, go to start -> programs -> accessories -> command prompt and right click on it then click properties, then change the start in parameters, put the directory u want it by default hope i answered ur question

Answer 9

F8

Answer 10

I assume you mean cmos. It depends on your computer brand. Look your computer brand up on the internet.