Using LOADLIN
LOADLIN is designed to boot Linux from a DOS prompt, which means that it is possible to boot Linux from DOS without actually rebooting the machine. This has inherent advantages, because it requires no modifications to the hard-disk structure to work, other than the creation of the Linux data and swap partitions.
One other advantage exists, which relates to unsupported hardware. Sound cards, in particular, often have SoundBlaster emulation modes, and these modes can be reached only by using DOS programs. Because LOADLIN does not reboot the machine, the sound card stays in a mode compatible with SoundBlaster and allows the regular Linux sound driver to work with it. I don't recommend doing this, but it is an option if nothing else ...
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