Path in Autoexec.bat

"Buffalo" wrote in message
news:%boqd.110131$5K2.55239@attbi_s03...

"glee" wrote in message
...
Why are you loading DOS drivers for the CD-ROM drive, for use in Windows?
Unless
your CD-ROM drive is ancient, you should let Windows load its protected mode
driver.
Loading real mode drivers is likely putting the CD drive in DOS compatibility
mode,
reducing its performance in Windows.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

I guess I am a little confused.
If I restart in DOS ('command prompt only' from the Startup Menu) I cannot
access my cd drive if I don't have that entry in my autoexec.bat.
When in Windows, there is no indication that the cd-rom drive is using DOS
compatibility mode drivers.
I know I am missing something, but perhaps you can explain it further.
Also, any idea why my path statement suddenly stopped giving me the 'too many
parameters' error?

SET PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;"C:\Program
Files\NortonSystemWorks\Norton Ghost\";C:\PROGRA~1\ATITEC~1\ATICON~1

Perhaps I should just set msconfig not to process the autoexec.bat and the
config.sys.

Why do you need access to the CD drive from Command Prompt Only on the Startup Menu
(boot menu)? If you want to boot to DOS Mode with CD-ROM support, you should use
the Restart in MS-DOS Mode option on the StartShutdown menu in Windows, and either
load the drivers in Config.sys and Dosstart.bat, OR use 'Specify a new
configuration' in the Exit To DOS.PIF and create custom startup files within the
..pif (Alternately you can boot with a boot floppy with CDROM support).

Loading all those DOS drivers just for use in Command Prompt Only from the boot menu
is a waste of memory, among other things, and for no good reason. BTW, Windows will
likely bypass those DOS drivers during startup so that you are not in compatibility
mode. I have not seen documentation of it but I have seen it happen in practice.

SFB's suggestion of creating a menu using your autoexec.bat and config.sys is a good
idea if you insist on having CD access from Command Prompt Only. You should be able
to create a menu that will bypass drivers in a boot to windows, but will give you
the option to load the DOS drivers if you go to Command Prompt Only.

Are you sure the "Too many parameters' error was due to the Path statement, and not
some other line?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm