
WinME DOS Boot Activator v1.2 README File
=========================================

1. What is this ?

Windows Millennium doesn't have anymore a "Shut down to MS-DOS real mode", and
we can't even boot straight to plain DOS anymore. Since I needed to run some
things under DOS with Windows Millennium installed, I did this little patch.

This program allows Windows Millennium to boot directly to plain DOS, running
AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS during boot. Windows ME will behave as if you've
pressed F8 during boot and selected "Command line". You can still boot windows
by typing "Win" at the prompt.

This allows you to:
 
  - Boot to DOS :)
  - Run other Operating Systems - LINUX, BEOS, etc - without having to install
    a Boot Manager. Some of these OS's require you to be in DOS mode to install
    them.
  - Launch any device drivers at boot time, using CONFIG.SYS
  - Set the usual environment variables, like PATH, using AUTOEXEC.BAT.
  - Run old programs and games that require plain DOS because they access your
    hardware directly
  - Run programs like Diskedit to perform low-level tasks on your hard disk.
  - Develop hardware related software without the interference of Windows.
  - Run a "DELTREE /y WINDOWS" command to eradicate virus...
  - Manually fix some problems, like when Windows freezes loading due to a
    replaced DLL by some installed program.
  - Some other uses that I can't remember now... you tell me!


2. Disclaimer

Although this program was tested and apparently can't perform no harm, I have
to put down a disclaimer, just in case:

 IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING WILL THE
AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM
(INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA OR DATA BEING RENDERED INACCURATE OR
LOSSES SUSTAINED BY YOU OR THIRD PARTIES OR A FAILURE OF THE PROGRAM TO OPERATE
WITH ANY OTHER PROGRAMS), EVEN IF THE AUTHOR OR OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.


3. Version History

	15-Jul-2000     v1.0	- First release (for English WinME only)

	16-Oct-2000	v1.1	- Added support for WinME in other languages
				  (thanks dEfT!)

        13-Jan-2001     v1.2    - Made KEYB.COM and DISPLAY.SYS non-essential
				  files to the patch. Previously, if this files
				  were missing, the patch would fail. It seems
				  that these files ARE missing on a lot of
				  WinME versions.

4. Contacts

	Author: Pedro Fonseca

	 Email: pbfonseca@yahoo.com

	Program homepage: http://www.geocities.com/dos8me/

	