You have one or more settings that are trying to load a device driver.  The
first place to look is in a file c:\windows\dosstart.bat
Sound cards put dos compatible settings here to match the old soundblaster
standard.  Some other cards do similar settings.  Also check config.sys for
device statements.  You shouldn't need any device lines in config.sys except
himem.sys if you have no scsi devices. Comment them out by placing rem in
the start of the line.  Now check under device manager.  Any card supporting
dos may have its own dos compatibility tab.  Sound card is your first
suspect.  Last, you may be having trouble with a .pif file.  These are used
to access dos from within windows.  I'm not sure how to edit the 'shutdown
to dos' sequence, but I would check to see if the file command.com is in the
windows folder.  It has to be in the root directory (folder) c:\ but I think
you should also have it in the windows folder in case a .pif is looking for
it there.
If it turns out to be a driver, you are going to have to experiment.  I have
a dos game I still enjoy, and a Creative sound card, from the makers of the
original soundblaster.  I shutdown successfully to dos only 50% of the time.
If I completely remove the driver then the game won't play.
Tom Turak

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Prettyman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 6:10 PM

When I try to shut down and select the dos prompt selection the third one
in the
list of things, it just goes to the blinking curser that I described.
Thanks


>
>>I hve just finished a format and reinstall of Win 98 se and cannot get to
a dos
>>prompt. Can anyone give me a clue. This is a first for me as I have done
the
>>format and reinstall thing many times. All I get is a blinking line,
1/4", in the top left corner of the monitor.?????

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