diff --git a/kernel/trunk/boot/preboot.inc b/kernel/trunk/boot/preboot.inc
index 269e60270b..036ba51c18 100644
--- a/kernel/trunk/boot/preboot.inc
+++ b/kernel/trunk/boot/preboot.inc
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ preboot_dma	    db	0 ; use DMA for access to HDD (1-always, 2-only for read, 3-n
 preboot_device	    db	0 ; boot device
 			  ; (1-floppy 2-harddisk 3-kernel restart 4-format ram disk)
 			  ;!!!! 0 - autodetect !!!!
+preboot_blogesc = 0       ; start immediately after bootlog
 preboot_biosdisk    db	0 ; use V86 to access disks through BIOS (1-yes, 2-no)
 
       if $>0x200
diff --git a/kernel/trunk/data32.inc b/kernel/trunk/data32.inc
index f7e155f43e..878ade7935 100644
--- a/kernel/trunk/data32.inc
+++ b/kernel/trunk/data32.inc
@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ keymap_alt:
   boot_pal_vga	    db	 'Setting VGA 640x480 palette',0
   boot_failed	    db	 'Failed to start first app',0
   boot_mtrr	    db	 'Setting MTRR',0
+if preboot_blogesc
+  boot_tasking      db   'All set - press ESC to start',0
+end if
 
 new_process_loading db 'K : New Process - loading',13,10,0
 new_process_running db 'K : New Process - done',13,10,0
diff --git a/kernel/trunk/kernel.asm b/kernel/trunk/kernel.asm
index ce06d21cc8..c1fb81bd8d 100644
--- a/kernel/trunk/kernel.asm
+++ b/kernel/trunk/kernel.asm
@@ -853,6 +853,14 @@ first_app_found:
 
 ; START MULTITASKING
 
+if preboot_blogesc
+        mov     esi, boot_tasking
+        call    boot_log
+.bll1:  in      al, 0x60        ; wait for ESC key press
+        cmp     al, 129
+        jne     .bll1
+end if
+
 ;       mov   [ENABLE_TASKSWITCH],byte 1        ; multitasking enabled
 
 ; UNMASK ALL IRQ'S