Question

Windows Server 2003 - boot into ms-dos with access to c:\ drive without using safe mode

Asked by: acekz

How can I reboot into ms-dos mode on Windows server 2003 and have access to the c:\ drive? I created a boot disk and it seems to work, but it only lets me see the a:\drive and says all the other drives don't exist. I don't want to boot into safe mode with command prompt.

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Asked On
2007-07-06 at 11:19:51ID22679987
Tags

2003

,

server

,

dos

,

boot

,

windows

Topics

Operating Systems Miscellaneous

,

Windows 2003 Server

,

MS DOS

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: Bartender_1Posted on 2007-07-06 at 11:24:31ID: 19433857

This is because DOS doesn't recognize NTFS volumes. Your best bet would be to use the recovery console to access the drive (see here: http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/1ed79310-13ee-4352-8e1b-bbb59bc15b961033.mspx?mfr=true)
or get third party software to read NTFS volumes in DOS such as:
http://www.ntfs.com/products.htm


Hope this helps!

:o)

Bartender_1

 

by: 65tdPosted on 2007-07-06 at 11:39:03ID: 19433980

You can use the command console to see the C drive (system partition), available from the install cd or add the command console as a boot option see attached doc.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326215

 

by: lazarus98Posted on 2007-07-06 at 16:48:15ID: 19435828

You could try using Ultimate Boot CD. http://www.ubcd4win.com/
It won't boot you to DOS but you can boot to the Cd and get to all your drives and do what you want.

 

by: lazarus98Posted on 2008-02-04 at 09:58:03ID: 20816490

Did the questioner try using Ultimate Boot? It will work fine for what he wants.

 

by: modus_operandiPosted on 2008-02-12 at 07:40:42ID: 20875724

Split as per AnnieMod's recommendation.

modus_operandi
EE Moderator

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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