Author: Shalroth (wwwcache-d.lmu.ac.uk)
Date: 09-12-2001 11:58
Not quite true - DOS is still present in Win Me, it's just hidden from view. It's no longer possible to boot to a DOS prompt, or Restart in DOS mode, but only because those options have been removed. Windows STILL makes calls to the DOS to store and retrieve files, and for Interrupt handlers (INT 0x13 springs to mind)
DOS is the operating system, Windows is a just a graphical front end and a set of API procedures. You can write programs for windows, fine, but on the Atari - GEM is not the operating system, TOS is. All of this is still true, even in Windows Me.
Now, Windows NT *is* an operating system. Running of DOS programs on NT is done through a DOS Virtual Machine (like an emulator). Once NT has loaded, all file access is done through 32-bit driver modules.
Like the dude says, try removing 'MSDOS.SYS' and see how far you get. Or HIMEM.SYS - DOS imposed the 640K limit, not the PC architecture, so there would be no need for a 'High Memory Driver' right?
Ignore me, I'm just an underpaid systems engineer...
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