Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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The Roadrunner ("Meep! Meep!) 286 is still on my workbench, and I have a question: is there a way to boot multiple versions of DOS on a 286?

Why would I want to do this? The 286 makes a convenient platform for exploring early versions of Windows. Windows 1.0, Windows 2.0, Windows/286 (2.1), and Windows 3.0 will all run on a 286 with a CGA card. And all three versions of Windows will run with 1MB of RAM (640K conventional + 384K extended) or less.

And why multi boot? To keep each Windows on a 286 experience separate.

System Commander claims it will run on any 80x86 computer, which should include the 80286.

Will I get the Roadrunner back together? Will I manage to get the RGBtoHDMI set up for the CGA output on this computer? Will System Commander actually run on a 286? You'll have to watch to find out!

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