I have a need for the same feature, so I downloaded the 2039 build and made tweaks from there. I had no trouble with my combination of OW1.8 (DOS native), NASM 2.07 (DOS native), and UPX 3.04 (Win32).
I also confirmed that I can compile and boot using other combinations, including TC2.01, Borland C 4.52 and 5.02, or even aPack instead of UPX. The only thing that prevented booting (stalling at the boot sector "FreeDOS" display or the newer 2039 "......." display) was when I tried --lzma in UPX, so I kept it at --ultra-brute, which in some cases can beat the kernel default of --best. Anyhow, I posted my work here: http://superkeen.com/peacecorpsfiles/ke2039_floppy10.zip Maybe it will save you the headache, unless of course I introduced bugs of my own. Any feedback is appreciated, since I haven't yet tested on multiple machines. >From my README: FREEDOS FLOPPY-ONLY KERNEL (UNOFFICIAL): This is a modified version of the official FAT16 FreeDOS kernel. Most significantly, it disables hard disk initialization and it is ~1KB smaller that the official build. ---------- All files unique to the floppy-only kernel are in the root directory. To make a "floppy-only" boot disk, you can still use the official SYS.COM-- I did not make a custom build. For your convenience, the corresponding official kernel source and FAT16 binaries (including SYS) can be found in the OFFICIAL folder. ---------- The following are different in this version's source: -INITDISK.C: Hard disks are not initialized (much code has been commented out). (http://www.nabble.com/FreeDOS-kernel-without-any-harddisk-support.-td24693890.html) It would have been possible to make fewer changes to reach the same functionality, but commenting out more also makes the file size smaller. -KERNEL.ASM: Default sys config changed: -InitDiskShowDriveAssignment and GlobalEnableLBAsupport are disabled. -SkipConfigSeconds is set to zero. -MAIN.C: Copyright string is modified to clearly distinguish this kernel as floppy-only. Original coyright has been abbreviated, otherwise there's not enough time to read it all! ---------- The modified binaries are different from the official ones in that they are size-optimized (386 kernel is <39KB) in the follwing ways: -Compiled with Borland C++ 4.52. (http://www.mail-archive.com/freedos-kernel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg00062.html) -Packed with aPack 1.00. (http://www.mail-archive.com/freedos-kernel@lists.sourceforge.net/msg00004.html) ---------- Version history: 2009/10/02: ke_2039floppy 1.0, initial release, based on Kernel 2039 FAT16. ---------- Released by Paul Blair as part of the FUZOMA project: http://superkeen.com/peacecorpsweblog/learning-software/fuzoma-version-history/ Thomas Jansen, WTY Soft wrote: > > I downloaded the 2038 version, the most recent nasm dos version at the > most recent openwatcom compiler. > I get things to compile without any error, sys the version to a floppy > and reboot but it hangs after showing "FreeDos" > This is the case with either Bochs as with a regular boot. I did not > modify the original sources ... > I tried to put a diagnostic printf in de main.c but it wasn't called. It > looks a bit like the entry point is never called. > Should I use an older version of OpenWatcom (instead of 1.8) or a > specific NASM version ? > > Thanks in advance, > > Thomas > -- View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/FreeDOS-kernel-without-any-harddisk-support.-tp24693890p25713450.html Sent from the FreeDOS - Kernel mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Come build with us! The BlackBerry® Developer Conference in SF, CA is the only developer event you need to attend this year. Jumpstart your developing skills, take BlackBerry mobile applications to market and stay ahead of the curve. Join us from November 9-12, 2009. Register now! http://p.sf.net/sfu/devconf _______________________________________________ Freedos-kernel mailing list Freedos-kernel@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-kernel
