Multi-tasking and DOS don't mix together. If I may ask, what do you want to do? Why not connect the hard drive to a modern computer?

You can use a device like this
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-USB-SATA-Adap … ps%2C703&sr=8-4

Well...Windows is not starting up at all on the computer. 🙁 Right now, I'm trying to get a DOS setup working so I can use the computer at all. I want to be able to edit code while running an emulator to, after compiling the code, test it, like I can in Windows.

Well, if you don't care about the data on drive C, format it and do a clean installation of Win95.

I have a lot of data on the C: drive--over 12GB worth--so I can't reformat the whole drive, and a clean install only caused more problems. 🙁

I used to have XTree Gold in the day, but you need to understand the limitations of DOS.

- No multitasking (apart from TSRs)
- No file associations (Only EXE, COM and BAT are recognised), unless the file manager can make the connection, which means you having to set that up.

However if you run an executable from the file manager, it will swap itself out while the chosen program runs. You still lose some memory though.

You're right about DOS's limits. I will search for and download XTree Gold now. Thank you.

Look at Quick Menu III if you want something more graphical.

[edit] DOS Navigator is what I use. A nice alternative to Norton Commander.

I just downloaded it. Thank you.

DESQView and DESQView /X can handle multiple DOS "windows" side by side.

Windows 2.x can do the same, but merely for small DOS applications using text-mode or CGA graphics.

But MS-DOS executive isn't exactly great. One of the third-party file managers/program managers can be used as a workaround.

Edit: Technically speaking, there are multi-tasking "DOSes" like PC-MOS/386.
The later versions have an API/ABI compatible with MS-DOS 5.

You may try Necromancer's DOS Navigator. It's a modern version of Norton Commander and it's currently supported/updated for DOS, Linux, Windows, Hauku, Kolibri, Menuet etc.

How about Volkov Commander? It' lightweight clone of Norton Commander.

Harry Potter wrote on 2024-01-27, 20:27:

I have a lot of data on the C: drive--over 12GB worth--so I can't reformat the whole drive, and a clean install only caused more problems. 🙁

stop your dos6 clowning and get that fat32 partition backed up to an external usb device immediately before data loss tragedy strikes. Have a live linux cd of some kind to boot, it will know what USB mass storage is and will have dd and/or ddrescue to do this task

If you are at the point of disabling EMM386 to fix issues, that system needs data backup using Knoppix Live DVD or similar tool and a complete reinstall.

Also, MS Windows is not a bad program/file manager.

I prefer good old DOS Navigator 1.51 as my primary file manager. And I use Volkov Commander 4.99.08 for boot diskettes 'cause it is much smaller.
DOS Navigator is TurboVision-based and is capable of switching between windows (disk pannels, editors, viewers, terminals etc.) however it is not true multitasking.

I heard that DOSSHELL is also not multi-tasking but task-switching: it will only run one task at a time but can keep multiple apps in memory and allow me to switch between them. Will DOS Navigator do the same? BTW, I might not need this anymore soon, as somebody recently told me how I can reinstall Windows and revert to factory-default settings.

BTW, froller: I like your signature. 😀

BTW, I'm downloading it now.

Harry Potter wrote on 2024-02-09, 15:00:

I heard that DOSSHELL is also not multi-tasking but task-switching: it will only run one task at a time but can keep multiple apps in memory and allow me to switch between them. Will DOS Navigator do the same?

Never heard of DOSSHELL can switch tasks. You might have confused it with DESQview. Last one certainly can into multitasking.
DOS Navigator can switch between its own modules with Alt+TAB and Ctrl+TAB. You can have several editors opened simultaneously and even visible on the screen alongside with file manager panels.
As you start any DOS app you won't be able to switch back to DN unless you exit the app.

If you accidentally got Russian version of DN just find ENG.LNG and ENG.DLG files and copy them as DN.LNG and DN.DLG to switch to English.

Harry Potter wrote on 2024-02-09, 15:00:

BTW, froller: I like your signature. 😀

So do I 😀

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tB035ZDMZD4

More like task swapping, though, maybe. 🤷‍♂️

I have to agree with other posters, if the system is this broken and you don't want to lose data, it needs to be backed up ASAP.
I'd even recommend a usb-to-PATA adaptor to back up that disk using a (different) modern PC. In most cases you can leave the original drive in place, just remove the PATA cable and plug in the adaptor. Use the system power to run the drive and copy all the files off it or take an image of the disk.