Discover the Trick to Run Linux like MS-DOS after a Windows Blue Screen of Death for Attempted Repair

The vast majority of people with a PC end up using Windows, partly because it comes preinstalled on many OEM PCs and laptops, and partly because it is the most well-known operating system. Linux, on the other hand, is part of a small minority and offers significant advantages such as being free and having various distros for customization. Interestingly, there is now a trick to use Linux after experiencing a BSOD (blue screen) in Windows without having to restart the PC.

It isn’t always necessary to choose just one operating system and settle for Windows, Linux, or macOS. On PCs, it is possible to combine multiple operating systems, typically having Linux and Windows as Dual Boot. This means that when starting the computer, users can choose between the two operating systems and can switch when rebooting the computer. This makes it an increasingly popular combination for those who need specific programs for Windows and Linux.

A programmer has developed a driver that enables Linux usage when a BSOD occurs in Windows

If a user is in Windows and encounters the “blue screen of death,” also known as BSOD, it usually indicates an issue with the PC. When this happens, the standard message is displayed, stating that information is being collected, and the computer will restart upon completion. This behavior is typical, and most users have become accustomed to it when encountering a BSOD. However, a programmer named NSF650 has created a driver that allows the PC to boot with a Linux emulator when a BSOD occurs in Windows.

This driver uses Windows’ built-in “error check callback” function. By utilizing this function, the operating system restores the device to a known state, allowing code execution after encountering an error. This is what enables Linux to run in this case.

The programmer warns that this Linux RISC-V is quite limited in terms of functionality

Rather than being a fully functional Linux distribution, this is a Linux RISC-V emulator. As described, it is a DOS or command line-based operating system, so it is not an Ubuntu distro. It’s a lightweight Linux emulator, consisting of only 400 lines of code rather than the millions of lines found in the original operating system. In fact, it doesn’t even allow users to go back if they make a mistake, and to use capital letters, they must use the Caps Lock key.

In a YouTube video uploaded by NTDEV, we can see the functionality of the Linux 6.1.14 version, based on the initial lines of code displayed upon initiating. From here, directories and files can be searched as one would typically do in Linux, although the video primarily focuses on explaining what has occurred. Unfortunately, this emulator is not ChatGPT-responsive, meaning it does not answer what has been written. Curious users can download BugCheck2Linux from NSG650’s GitHub to test this Linux emulator if their PC crashes.

This trick allows users to run a Linux (MSDOS-like) command line system after receiving a BSOD in Windows in an attempt to repair it.