[kathrynrose]

Im running a separate computer with two hard drives, one has Windows 95 and the other Windows 98. When i try to shut down and start up in MS DOS my screen just stays blank. Anyone have any ideas why? Would appreciate any imput here. Thanks.

[Tetra-Loo]

Check your config.sys and autoexec.bat files for drivers that might be hanging you up. I recall having the same problem and it turned out to be a soundcard initialization exe hanging me up.

[Jolaes]

Unfortunately, win9x can have other issues which result in black death as well. I mean, it is not only the real-mode drivers (present in config.sys, autoexec.bat and dosstart.bat (the last residing in windows dir) but other system components as well.

I know it may sound weird but try to upgrade every critical system component on both systems. There are TONS of critical and preferred upgrade tips and links:

http://www.mdgx.com/

In your shoes, I'd start with installing the unoffical service pack for win98se first and install Nero, new ASPI layers, codecs etc - these also contain system file replacements which can solve the black death issue.
Win95 is another matter, you strictly have to proceed with a certain order of upgrades but the results can be insane - you CAN install media player 9 and other more recent stuff as well