Microsoft KB Archive/84864

= Using MS-DOS 4.x Shell Under MS-DOS 5.0 and later =

Article ID: 84864

Article Last Modified on 11/16/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft MS-DOS 4.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 4.01 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0a
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.21 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q84864



SUMMARY
It is often possible to use MS-DOS version 4.0, 4.01, or 4.01a Shell under MS-DOS 5.0 and later. Although this configuration has no known problems, it has not been fully tested. MS-DOS 5.0 and later were not designed to support the MS-DOS 4.x Shell. For more information, see the &quot;Potential Problems section below. This configuration can be useful in the following instances:


 * You want to refer to your 4.x Shell program items and groups while configuring MS-DOS 5.0 or 6.0 Shell.
 * You want to use a feature that only exists in the 4.x Shell.
 * You prefer the 4.x Shell user interface.
 * You are a support professional and your customers have MS-DOS 4.0, 4.01, or 4.01a and require assistance with the 4.x Shell. You are running MS-DOS 5.0 or later, but need to have the 4.x Shell available for reference.



MORE INFORMATION
To reinstall the MS-DOS 4.x Shell on your hard disk after installing MS-DOS 5.0 or later, do the following:

 Create a directory to contain the MS-DOS Shell files (for example, C:\SHELL). Copy the following files from the MS-DOS 4.x MS-DOS Shell disk to the directory you created in step 1.

DOSUTIL.MEU

SHELL.CLR

SHELL.HLP

SHELL.MEU

SHELLB.COM

SHELLC.EXE

PCIBMDRV.MOS

For example, if the MS-DOS Shell disk is in drive A, you could use the following commands:

copy a:\dosutil.meu c:\shell

copy a:\shell*.* c:\shell

copy a:\pcibmdrv.mos c:\shell

NOTE: Do not copy all the files from the MS-DOS Shell disk. Copy any other .MEU files found in the former MS-DOS 4.x directory to the directory containing Shell. For example, type copy c:\dos\*.meu c:\shell at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER.

These .MEU files describe individual groups within the MS-DOS 4.x Shell that you have created.  Using MS-DOS Editor or another text editor, create the following batch file and name it SHELL.BAT. Use this batch file to run 4.x Shell. This batch file is based on the one included in Appendix A of the Microsoft MS-DOS Shell &quot;User's Guide&quot; for version 4.x.      @ECHO OFF C:     CD C:\SHELL SHELLB DOSSHELL IF ERRORLEVEL 255 GOTO END :COMMON SHELLC /TRAN/COLOR/DOS/MENU/MUL/SND/MEU:SHELL.MEU/CLR:SHELL.CLR /PROMPT/MAINT/EXIT/SWAP/DATE :END BREAK=ON

Potential Problems
When you upgrade a system from MS-DOS 4.01 to MS-DOS 6.2, Setup moves the SHELLB.COM and SHELLC.EXE files to the UNINSTALL subdirectory. To correct this problem, copy these two files from the C:\OLD_DOS.1 directory to the DOS directory. If you have already deleted OLD_DOS.1, expand SHELLB.CO_ and SHELLC.EXE from the original MS-DOS 4.01 disks.

If you receive the error message &quot;Color file missing or unreadable&quot; when you try to run Shell 4.x under MS-DOS 6.2, ensure that all necessary files are in the directory that contains your MS-DOS files (typically C:\DOS). If you still receive the error message:


 * 1) Make a backup copy of the DOSSHELL.BAT file. For example, type copy c:\dos\dosshell.bat c:\dos\dosshell.pss at the MS-DOS command prompt and then press ENTER.
 * 2) Use MS-DOS Editor to edit the DOSSHELL.INI file and remove any lines between &quot;SHELLC&quot; and &quot;/TRAN...&quot; (usually &quot;/MOS:PCIBMDRV.MOS&quot;).
 * 3) Save the DOSSHELL.INI file and exit MS-DOS Editor.

You should now be able to run Shell 4.x under MS-DOS 6.2.

