Have you ever purchased a new computer system with Windows NT, only to find that your old games won't run without Windows 95? What about that old application that needs DOS or Windows 3.1? The good news is that you don't have to scrap your current configuration and reformat the hard drive. This is one way to add additional boot configurations to your Windows NT 4.0 Workstation client.

Create a DOS 6.2x bootable diskette with Norton Utilities 8.0 disktool.exe on it and its support library nlib200.rtl.

Reboot the PC using that floppy. Run disktool and make drive C: bootable. After Norton confirms that the hard drive is bootable, reboot the computer after ejecting the floppy.

Install the three (3) DOS 6.2x floppy diskettes. If desired, install the six (6) Windows 3.1 diskettes.

Using the ATTRIB command or Explorer, change the attribute on the root directory's BOOT.INI. Take out hidden, read only, and system attributes.

The file should look like this:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Workstation Version 4.00"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Workstation Version 4.00 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos

Add the two (2) C:\ lines below. You may optionally change the timeout to 10 seconds from 30.

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=C:\
[operating systems]
C:\="MS-DOS"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Workstation Version 4.00"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINNT="Windows NT Workstation Version 4.00 [VGA mode]" /basevideo /sos

At this point, we have still only have a DOS 6.2x computer, as the bootsec.dos file is not functioning. Install disk 1 of the three (3) NT Workstation 4.0 install diskettes. It will report a problem, and request the rescue diskette. DO NOT INSTALL THE RESCUE DISKETTE. When it asks if you want to rebuild the interrupted installation, say yes. It will detect the "MS-DOS" line you added in boot.ini, as well as the actual DOS boot files that Norton disktool added. Follow the instructions requesting the other two (2) install diskettes. Upon completion, eject the last diskette, and reboot the computer. It should now give you the multiple boot option with MS-DOS and Windows NT Workstation.

Dean S. Tripodes teaches the Webmaster class at the University of California at Irvine. He also teaches Computer Science at Marymount College in Palos Verdes and Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California. He can be reached at webmaster@baywalk.com.