Robert Thorpe composed on 2024-10-16 03:17 (UTC+0100):
> May I suggest installing FreeDOS to a USB flash drive. That is to one
> of those little USB pendrives/ USB keys.
To what end?
> I don't mean installing from a pendrive, I mean installing *to* one.
> For FreeDOS you really don't need a large hard drive. 2GB is sufficient
> and most USB keys are easily fast enough to keep up with DOS.
Who can find one as small as 2G any more?
> With the PC off, disconnect your drive containing loads of partitions.
> Then plug in a USB key with the USB installer on it and another blank
> USB key. Then install from the first one to the second. This should
> work if both are plugged in while the PC is being booted.
Disconnecting internal drives can be no small bother. My most used machines are
not readily opened. Some BIOS get all bent out of shape when storage is added or
removed, instead of POSTing in seconds, it can take more than a minute. Some of
the older ones cannot be booted from USB. I find USB storage a considerable
nuisance, as they present no consistency in shape to facilitate storing them,
and
no place on them to write enough information that's big enough to read.
Before installing according to website directions, I first installed from 1.2
media the old fashioned way: SYS C:. It worked, without any damage to existing
partition table or other partitions. However, rather than xcopying from the
installation media to C:, I was foiled by absence of .com and .exe files to copy
to see, with most everything packed in .ZIP files.
Since what I did before starting this thread was a practice run on a PC I would
not expect to put into routine use with DOS, when next I wish to "install",
likely
I'll use the SYS C: method, then boot Linux to selectively copy from the .ZIP
files to the new home, and build suitable AUTOEXEC.BAT and FDCONFIG.SYS files
using 1440x900 with 16x9 fonts and Midnight Commander.
Everything I need from DOS, including the apps I use, but disregarding user file
needs, fits in under 251M, the size I started using for C: around 35 years ago.
DOS user data I keep segregated on E: of same size. I keep a minimal size extra
FAT partition in front of E:, to be unhidden when booted without a second disk,
so
that E: is always E: instead of D: when booted without a visible FAT primary on
a
second internal drive, and .BAT files can continue to produce expected behavior.
With legacy 255/63 partitioning of old, that 251M size enjoys maximally
efficient
cluster size, providing least possible wasted space from cluster overhang.
Provisioning no more than is needed makes backing up require minimal backup
media
and time.
--
Evolution as taught in public schools is, like religion,
based on faith, not based on science.
Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 ** a11y rocks!
Felix Miata
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