OSR2 Cannot Dual-Boot Between Windows 3.x and Windows 95

 Last reviewed: July 31, 1997
Article ID: Q152611
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2

SYMPTOMS

If you try to dual-boot Windows version 3.x on a computer running Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2, you receive one of the following error messages:

  • This version of Windows does not run on MS-DOS 6.x or earlier.
  • You started your computer with a version of MS-DOS incompatible with this version of Windows. Insert a Startup diskette matching this version of Windows and then restart.

    The system has been halted. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to restart your computer.

  • This version of Windows cannot be run on this version of DOS.

CAUSE

Beginning with OSR2, dual-booting Windows 3.x is not supported in Windows 95.

RESOLUTION

To dual-boot between Windows 3.x and Windows 95, you need to install the retail version of Windows 95. If you have FAT32 drives, you need to remove the FAT32 partition and create a FAT16 partition with the Windows 95 or MS-DOS 6.x version of Fdisk.exe.

For additional information about how to perform this task, please see your printed Windows documentation or online Help.

Neither MS-DOS 6.x nor the retail version of Windows 95 will recognize a FAT32 volume.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 3.x was designed to use the FAT12 and FAT16 file system, and could potentially damage a FAT32 volume.

Additional query words: 95 bootmulti
Keywords : win95 winboot kbenv kberrmsg
Version : 95
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: July 31, 1997
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