If memory serves, Win95's "Boot into DOS mode" takes you to DOS 7.0, which is what Win9x is based on.

I have a program I need to run in DOS mode, but I can't figure out how to get my mouse to work in DOS mode. Any help would be apprieciated, and I apologize if this is idiotically simple.

There’s a great deal of shearing and other on-screen artifacts as you move, resize, and interact with Windows XP applications running in seamless mode, and none of the new Windows 7 Aero effects ...