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Install Dual-Boot of MS-DOS 7.10 (FAT32) on Windows 7 computer (Win7 installed first)
Last reviewed: May 2011
| Updated for EasyBCD version 2.1. Do not use these instructions with earlier versions of EasyBCD.
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Introduction
This guide shows how to correctly and safely create a natural dual-boot of Windows 7 and MS-DOS 7.10 on a computer with Windows 7 already installed. You can then run either of those OSs by selecting one from a menu during bootup. No data loss will occur and a third-party boot utility is not used.
You need to shrink the Windows 7 drive to make room for MS-DOS. Using a second disk for MS-DOS is not an option.
32 and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Home Basic, Enterprise and Ultimate were used in testing so this will also work with Windows 7 Premium and Professional. The computers used were:
(1) 64-bit Dell Studio XPS 8100 (2.93 GHz), Core i7, 8 GB RAM DDR3, 2x1 TB SATA hard disks in RAID 0 as 1.6 TB & 60 GB
(2) 64-bit AMD Athlon (2.4GHz), 2.0 GB RAM, 1 TB SATA hard disk.
(3) 32-bit Dell Optiplex with Pentium 4 (2.26GHz), 2.0 GB RAM, 160 GB ATA hard disk
Following these instructions correctly should always succeed. However, any change to your computer should not even be considered unless you have a rescue plan. This guide also contains that rescue plan - just in case!
This procedure is suitable for experienced computer users.
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Important Installation Notes
EasyBCD. The highly-acclaimed EasyBCD is a free editing utility that allows any user to easily edit the Windows 7/Vista boot menu (the BCD or Boot Configuration Data). Some settings, not used here, are very advanced. EasyBCD works in Windows 7 and Vista, but also in Windows XP if you first install Microsoft's .NET 2.0 Framework (new window).
Hidden Active Partition. Many Windows 7 users will have at least one small Primary disk partition(s) that's hidden (but is visible under Disk Management in Windows 7). This must be counted if you want to create a new Primary.
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Details: Install MS-DOS 7.10 when Windows 7 is installed first
Installing other operating systems on your Windows 7 computer may invalidate your warrantee.
It's important to follow the instructions exactly as stated and you should have a properly working Windows.
Make your preparations
- Backup important data before making any changes to a partition. You can burn files to a CD, clone an image of your hard disk, copy files to a USB flash/pen/thumb drive, or use an USB external drive (a good choice)
- Plan your new partitions carefully before you start.
- Download Neosmart's EasyBCD 2.1 (free - it edits Win7/Vista boot menu).
Optional: Download NeoSmart's free Windows 7 System Recovery Disk if your Win7 DVD is missing!
- Disconnect all unnecessary external devices before you start.
Make free space and create new partitions
MS-DOS 7.10 must be installed on a Primary partition on the first hard disk or first RAID 0 disk.
The Windows 7 drive is shrunk leaving some Unallocated space at the end of the first hard disk (to the right). A new Primary partition is then created in Unallocated and Formatted with FAT32. If you need a fourth Primary partition, read Create a Fourth Primary partition (new window) - but remember, having four Primaries means you cannot have any further partitions on that hard disk!
The 127 GB hard disk limitation that afflicts Win98/Me/2K is not a problem with MS-DOS 7.10. Also, the Active marker is unaffected by installing MS-DOS 7.10 so Windows 7 will still continue to boot normally.
- Restart computer correctly (close all programs before you Restart computer).
- Open Disk Management in Windows 7 (right-click Computer, select Manage, click Disk Management).
- Right-click the Win7 volume, and click Shrink Volume.
- In Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB:, enter enough for MS-DOS.
- Click the Shrink button (it may take some time!).
If Shrink does not give you sufficient Unallocated space, read Shrink the Windows 7 or Windows Vista Partition for instructions on how to complete this task successfully. Then return here.
- Right-click the Unallocated space and select New Simple Volume.... Click Next.
- In Simple volume size in MB:, use all available space for MS-DOS. Click Next.
- In File system, select FAT32 in the drop-down.
- In Volume label, enter doos (or similar).
- Tick to enable the Perform a quick format check box, and click Next.
- Click Finish button.
- Still in Disk Management, check that the change made is correct. Unfortunately Disk Management will only create Logical partitions if three Primaries already exist. If a new Primary partition has not been created, you will have to delete the Logical just created and use Win7's Diskpart command utility to Create a Fourth Primary partition in the Unallocated (RAW) space.
- Restart to Windows 7 two times.
Use the free GParted Live CD to gain adequate disk space only if you absolutely must - read the page Use GParted to Resize the Windows 7 or Vista Partition to learn how, and read Repair Windows 7 Startup (below) before you use GParted.
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Next Install MS-DOS 7.10 in this Windows 7 Dual-Boot
The link below shows how to install MS-DOS 710 in this dual-boot and how to use EasyBCD 2.1 with it.
The Windows 7 boot menu will then boot MS-DOS 7.10 or Windows 7 when selected.
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Congratulations!
You have created a natural dual-boot of MS-DOS 7.10 and Windows 7 when Windows 7 was installed first.
Footnote:
EasyBCD 2.1 creates an NST folder on the root of the Windows 7 partition when it adds an operating system to the Windows 7 boot loader. This NST folder contains file(s) vital to booting added OSs. It must not be deleted.
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Repair Windows 7 Startup
You will not have any problem if you follow the instructions as stated above. However you might encounter some freak occurrence like a power failure during an installation. Windows 7 will boot again if you execute the following procedure.
- Bootup any Windows 7/Vista installation DVD or even from NeoSmart's free Windows 7 System Recovery Disk.
It must be a 64-bit version if a 64-bit Windows is installed.
- Press a key when you see Press any key to boot from a CD or DVD.
- Select your Language and then Time....
- Select Repair your computer (bottom left of the Install now screen).
An automatic check of your system will run.
- Click Repair and restart
Windows 7 should boot normally (very likely). If not, continue here.
- Bootup from the Windows 7 installation DVD again
- Select Repair your computer again.
- In System Recovery Options, select Windows 7, and click Next.
- Click Startup Repair.
- Click Finish when it's complete, and then Restart.
- You must let CheckDisk run if requested.
Windows 7 should boot normally.
If still stuck for a solution, boot again from the installation DVD, select Repair your computer, highlight Windows 7, get to a Command Prompt, use DIR command (DIR C: or DIR D: etc.) to identify drive letter allocations (sizes and Labels will help), and type in:
bootrec /FixMbr
bootrec /FixBoot
bootrec /RebuildBcd
X:\boot\bootsect.exe /nt60 C:
(where X: is your DVD drive letter, and C: is the installation drive for Windows 7).
EXIT, and click Restart. Remove the DVD.
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