Hi Becky,

If I understand correctly what's happening, the solution is simple, but
calls for a bit of careful timing. Here's what you do: When the computer
is turned on, it performs its POST, and then starts the operating
system. At the moment the computer starts Windows your dad needs to
press the F8 key. You'll know when to do this because, most of the time,
the computer will first look for an operating system on the floppy
drive. Since the floppy drive is empty, it will buzz for a moment and
then the computer will look on the hard drive, locate and start Windows.
So, the trick is to press the F8 key immediately after you hear that
little buzz from the floppy drive. If your timing is good this will
bring up a menu of startup choices. Use the arrow keys to select start
normally option, and press the Enter key.

As a precaution, there's one other thing worth checking to make sure
there is no further trouble. When your dad exits Windows, make sure the
"Shutdown" option is selected. If the "Restart in DOS" selection is
accidentally chosen, the computer will restart and put your dad right
back where he was.

I understand this problem because it happened to my mother. In her case
I had to go over there and fix it myself.

I hope this helps. Please let me know, privately, if you prefer, how you
make out.

Daniel G. Bakker
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: Becky [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2004 6:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCSOFT] Start Up Help Revisited


Hi,
I understand that maybe every problem has no answers but I thought I'd
post this question again as I didn't get any replies or suggestions.  I
hope someone can help the 2nd time around.  Thanks.

Becky Buehrer

Hello,
I'm hoping someone can help me help my 80 year old dad with his =
computer.  He has a 4 yr old HP running Windows 98. He has been having =
trouble for sometime and in an attempt to help himself he at one time =
when shutting down clicked on "Start in MS DOS"  He had no idea what MS
= DOS is and of course when he tried to reboot his computer had a black
= screen with white typing.  Somehow he managed to get to Windows, was =
still having trouble and eventually ran his HP Recovery Disk.  Even =
after running it however, when he tries to reboot or start up the =
computer starts and says "rebooting in MS DOS". The DOS screen comes up
= with commands running down it for 5 min or so and eventually Windows =
starts.  Then it works OK.  Can someone tell me what I can tell him to =
do to get rid of the DOS completely so that Windows starts automatically
= without the DOS??  Thank you

Becky Buehrer

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