Unless you're pressed for space, you can install Windows 98 and set Windows not to load. In the MSDOS.SYS file, set the BootGUI=1 to a 0. Depending on your configuration, you might have to change the file attributes of the file to either see or edit it.
I second this route. It'll make it so much easier if you have to download any files off the web or change attributes of files later (such as read-only files).
I spent a TON of time going the DOS route the past month and learned a lot along the way:
o Freedos isn't as easy to configure as regular dos
o MSDOS.SYS file, change 1 to 0 in the BOOTGUI to boot directly to DOS, change back to boot into win (or type WIN anytime)
o Autoexec.bat is where you set your soundcard settings and autostart arcadeos (or whatever)
o Config.sys along with autoexec.bat is where you set up your CDROM
o to change the boot image file create a new 256 color file that's 400x532 in size (I think) and replace the /windows/logo.sys file with it
Just a snippet of things you'll soon learn.