Why did Windows 7 go on drive C when I specified D?

[php111]

You got it. Vista and Windows 7 both use a new boot  scheme. You have to use a third-party boot manager to workaround this if you want DOS to see the first partition as its own boot partition.

So, let me get this right.

1. Install DOS first?

2. Install Windows 7?

3. Get a third party boot manager?

Is that what your saying to do that in that?

What would be the best, and free boot manager?

[Geek-9pm]

Really, I have not done this myself.
Here is plan I am going to try just to see if it works. Using a plain 40 GB ATA drive, partition it it thus:

200 GB fat32 | 500 GB FAT16 | 38 GB NTFS| Rest unallocated
Use a partition maker like GPART or early version of EASUS.
Prepare a floppy drive with a fdisk program.
Set first partition active. Install a basic boot loader. Test it
Use floppy to set second partition active.
Install DOS 6.22 thee on the second partition.
Use disk again to swap active partition to see if it works.

Next eat third partition active. Install Windows 7 there.

Next install a partition manager that can switch the partitions. The first partition is a 'sacrificial lamb' used to satisfy Windows 7 appetite for messing the first partition.

I am still doing research on this. I am not sure if System Commander can do this.
Here are two references that are 'in the rough', but are a starting place.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi_boot

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranish_Partition_Manager

EDIT:
Possible solution. http://www.plop.at/en/bootmanager.html

[php111]

I am really confused. I thought that FAT 32 cannot exceed 32GB? I thought that FAT16 is WAY smaller? I am totally confused on how to get this done. Are there any step by step tutorials on dual booting MS-DOS with Win7?

[Salmon Trout]

I thought that FAT 32 cannot exceed 32GB?

The 32 GB limit is set by the Windows format tool. The actual limit set by the design of the FAT32 file system is 2TB with 512 bytes sector size. Using 3rd party tools you can format larger volumes than 32 GB. Just a few examples:

"Fat32 Format" (GUI)

http://www.pendriveapps.com/format-fat32-larger-than-32gb/

"FAT32format 1.05" (command line)

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/FAT32format.shtml

"Fat32Formatter" (GUI)

http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/

[php111]

I got that part. I'm not understanding the dual booting part on setting DOS so it could be visible. Are there any such tutorials on dual booting MS-DOS 6.22 with Win7?

The 32 GB limit is set by the Windows format tool. The actual limit set by the design of the FAT32 file system is 2TB with 512 bytes sector size. Using 3rd party tools you can format larger volumes than 32 GB. Just a few examples:

"Fat32 Format" (GUI)

http://www.pendriveapps.com/format-fat32-larger-than-32gb/

"FAT32format 1.05" (command line)

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/FAT32format.shtml

"Fat32Formatter" (GUI)

http://tokiwa.qee.jp/EN/Fat32Formatter/

[php111]

Could someone please post some tutorials for dual booting MS-DOS, and Win7? I tried searching Google, and couldn't find any. They were for something else.

[Computer_Commando]

...I don't want to use VM...

Why?

[php111]

Why?

I can't explain. I never got into VM. I tried it in the past, but I always done an uninstall. I prefer having a dual boot. That's my opinion.

Could you post a tutorial?

[patio]

System Commander...
Worth every penny.

Probably cheaper to add another internal drive as i suggested though...
Up to you.

VM however as CC pointed out is a Free alternative.

[Geek-9pm]

You can buy a recent version of System Commander for about $20 or even less.

There are a number of free boot managers. The issue is do any  work with Vista or Windows 7.
http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/multi-boot-managers.shtml

Tomorrow I am going to try and do it if I can. After I do my chores. Work before play.

[patio]

System Commander does it...

Course if you are suggesting an older 20 dollar version i can't guarantee what latest OS versions will work on it.
He will have to research that...

[Computer_Commando]

I can't explain. I never got into VM. I tried it in the past, but I always done an uninstall. I prefer having a dual boot. That's my opinion.
Could you post a tutorial?

I used to do the same, but couldn't get Windows 98, etc to boot with more than 1GB RAM.  I run DOS6.22/Win3.1 from an old 512MB Compact Flash Card, which I can move from machine to machine.  Install VM 2007, & set up the container (virtual hard drive) wherever you like, you can copy/move it later.  The VM provides a virtual BIOS, so it will run on any Windows hardware.
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=4580

[patio]

Me personally i do not understand the reluctance to set it up in VM...
But that's just me/

[php111]

System Commander does it...

Course if you are suggesting an older 20 dollar version i can't guarantee what latest OS versions will work on it.
He will have to research that...

What is System Commander?

[php111]

Patio,

Will you please make an exception by removing the post made by Jason over in the DOS section? It makes me not want to come here anymore. It had the techguy link in his reply. This is how I feel. If I'm posting on one forum then it should stay on that forum. Am I right or wrong? If you don't want to remove the whole post then can you edit the post, and remove the link? Thank you. I really like this forum.