Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
Hi! To be a bit more productive than just complaining, how about this? /* Automatically partition the selected hard drive */ void Automatically_Partition_Hard_Drive() could be patched using: --- FDISKIO.C.bak 2022-08-03 02:10:06.914145715 +0200 +++ FDISKIO.C 2022-08-03 02:10:27.141382832 +0200 @@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ (pDrive->total_head+1)* pDrive->total_sect / 2048; */ }while( (pDrive->ext_part_largest_free_space > 0) - && (Determine_Drive_Letters()<'Z') ); + && (Determine_Drive_Letters()<'D') ); } } That would at least somewhat limit the damage done by /AUTO :-) One could also change the following part to NOT use type 6: /* Create a primary partition...if the size or type is incorrect, */ /* int Create_Primary_Partition(...) will adjust it automatically. */ Determine_Free_Space(); Set_Active_Partition(Create_Primary_Partition(6,2048)); By using FAT32, the whole extended/logical partition creation hassles could be dropped, making a FAT32 variant of /AUTO much simpler than the original. Both could co-exist with different command line options in a patched FDISK, e.g. /AUTO32 and /AUTO. Eric ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
Hi! The Installer has NO way to tell FDISK to auto partition the drive as a single partition. FDISK automatically breaks it into 2GB sections. If there was a way to tell FDISK just use the entire drive, the installer would have it create a single large FAT32 partition. Or, possible ask if the user wanted to use the whole drive or partition it manually. Until someone decides to improve FDISK to support such operations, the current installer is limited in what can be done regarding partitions. Well as that "automatic feature" of FDISK is not up to the task, you already give the alternative: The installer has to let the user chose himself how to partition things interactively with FDISK :-) Eric ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
> On Aug 2, 2022, at 6:26 PM, Eric Auer wrote: > > A word to the install wizard app, if it were a person: > > That was a great way of shooting yourself in the foot :-D > > Running out of drive letters by trying to avoid FAT32. In 2022. I’m getting kind of tired of explaining this… But, he we go once again. The Installer has NO way to tell FDISK to auto partition the drive as a single partition. FDISK automatically breaks it into 2GB sections. If there was a way to tell FDISK just use the entire drive, the installer would have it create a single large FAT32 partition. Or, possible ask if the user wanted to use the whole drive or partition it manually. Until someone decides to improve FDISK to support such operations, the current installer is limited in what can be done regarding partitions. Jerome ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
Hallo Herr tauro via Freedos-user, am Mittwoch, 3. August 2022 um 00:18 schrieben Sie: >> Apparently on your system the letters D:-G: are already assigned to >> something (like maybe some USB drives or some extra partitions on the hard >> drive(s)?). >> >> You can try seeing if anything exists on the D:-G: drives (e.g., by doing a >> "DIR D:") and see if you can figure out what's going on. > Thank you for your answer Bret, it came in just as I figured out by what > was the > problem. > I installed FreeDOS using the LiveCD, which also partitioned my disk and > formatted the C drive. > Disabling the fdauto.bat and fdconfig.sys files I saw this message: > - InitDiskWARNING: using suspect partition Pri:1 FS 0b: with calculated > values > �261-254-63 instead of� 262-254-63 > C: HD1, Pri[ 1], CHS=��� 0-1-1, start=���� 0 MB, size =� 2055 > MB > WARNING: using suspect partition Pri:1 FS 0b: with calculated values� > 523-254-63 > �instead of� 524-254-63 > D: HD1, Ext[ 1], CHS=� 262-1-1, start=� 2055 MB, size =� 2055 MB > WARNING: using suspect partition Ext:2 FS 0b: with calculated values� > 785-254-63 > �instead of� 786-254-63 > E: HD1, Ext[ 2], CHS=� 524-1-1, start=� 4110 MB, size =� 2055 MB > WARNING: using suspect partition Ext:3 FS 0c: with calculated values > 1024-254-63 > �instead of�� 24-254-63 > F: HD1, Ext[ 3], CHS=� 786-1-1, start=� 6165 MB, size =� 2055 MB > WARNING: using suspect partition Ext:4 FS 0c: with calculated values > 1304-254-63 > �instead of� 281-254-63 > G: HD1, Ext[ 4], CHS= 1048-1-1, start=� 8220 MB, size =� 2015 MB > I don't know if the warning is normal, but from what I could check, the > FreeDOS LiveCD installer by default doesn't create a single FAT32 > partition (10 > GB HDD), but instead it creates a single 2048 MB primary partition, > formatted > FAT32, and four 2 GB logical partitions, and it doesn't format them. > Since the partitions aren't formatted, FreeDOS doesn't mount them, but > it still > assigns them a letter, and that explains why I had this problem. I didn't > expect this to be the default behavior, that's why I didn't check the HDD > partition table to see what was going on. > To solve this, after deleting the partition table, I booted the LiveCD and > repartitioned the disk using fdisk. It created a single 10 GB partition > which I > later formatted to FAT32 with the included format.exe. > After that, the installation went flawlessly and the problem was solved. > It would make more sense if the installer made a single FAT16 2 GB > partition, or > used the whole disk to create a FAT32 partition. The crucial bit is not to > silently create the four logical partitions and also leave them unformatted. > I suggest that there should be an option to let the user decide what to do > between these two options or something else. I really seldom do this, but +1 Tom ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
Hi! Thank you for your answer Bret, it came in just as I figured out by what was the problem. I installed FreeDOS using the LiveCD, which also partitioned my disk and formatted the C drive... I don't know if the warning is normal, but from what I could check, the FreeDOS LiveCD installer by default doesn't create a single FAT32 partition (10 GB HDD), but instead it creates a single 2048 MB primary partition, formatted FAT32, and four 2 GB logical partitions, and it doesn't format them. Since the partitions aren't formatted, FreeDOS doesn't mount them, but it still assigns them a letter, and that explains why I had this problem. I didn't expect this to be the default behavior, that's why I didn't check the HDD partition table to see what was going on. A word to the install wizard app, if it were a person: That was a great way of shooting yourself in the foot :-D Running out of drive letters by trying to avoid FAT32. In 2022. To solve this, after deleting the partition table, I booted the LiveCD and repartitioned the disk using fdisk. It created a single 10 GB partition which I later formatted to FAT32 with the included format.exe. After that, the installation went flawlessly and the problem was solved. Cool :-) It would make more sense if the installer made a single FAT16 2 GB partition, or used the whole disk to create a FAT32 partition. The crucial bit is not to silently create the four logical partitions and also leave them unformatted. Even if you DO format them, you eventually run out of drive letters as soon as more than N * 2 GB of disk space exist. Even typical USB flash drives already have "dangerously" much space for the installer as long as it behaves at it does now. One single partition, preferably FAT32, will be enough for everybody except those who voluntarily opt to create more. I suggest that there should be an option to let the user decide what to do between these two options or something else. Definitely. Regards, Eric ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
Apparently on your system the letters D:-G: are already assigned to something (like maybe some USB drives or some extra partitions on the hard drive(s)?). You can try seeing if anything exists on the D:-G: drives (e.g., by doing a "DIR D:") and see if you can figure out what's going on. Thank you for your answer Bret, it came in just as I figured out by what was the problem. I installed FreeDOS using the LiveCD, which also partitioned my disk and formatted the C drive. Disabling the fdauto.bat and fdconfig.sys files I saw this message: - InitDiskWARNING: using suspect partition Pri:1 FS 0b: with calculated values �261-254-63 instead of� 262-254-63 C: HD1, Pri[ 1], CHS=��� 0-1-1, start=���� 0 MB, size =� 2055 MB WARNING: using suspect partition Pri:1 FS 0b: with calculated values� 523-254-63 �instead of� 524-254-63 D: HD1, Ext[ 1], CHS=� 262-1-1, start=� 2055 MB, size =� 2055 MB WARNING: using suspect partition Ext:2 FS 0b: with calculated values� 785-254-63 �instead of� 786-254-63 E: HD1, Ext[ 2], CHS=� 524-1-1, start=� 4110 MB, size =� 2055 MB WARNING: using suspect partition Ext:3 FS 0c: with calculated values 1024-254-63 �instead of�� 24-254-63 F: HD1, Ext[ 3], CHS=� 786-1-1, start=� 6165 MB, size =� 2055 MB WARNING: using suspect partition Ext:4 FS 0c: with calculated values 1304-254-63 �instead of� 281-254-63 G: HD1, Ext[ 4], CHS= 1048-1-1, start=� 8220 MB, size =� 2015 MB I don't know if the warning is normal, but from what I could check, the FreeDOS LiveCD installer by default doesn't create a single FAT32 partition (10 GB HDD), but instead it creates a single 2048 MB primary partition, formatted FAT32, and four 2 GB logical partitions, and it doesn't format them. Since the partitions aren't formatted, FreeDOS doesn't mount them, but it still assigns them a letter, and that explains why I had this problem. I didn't expect this to be the default behavior, that's why I didn't check the HDD partition table to see what was going on. To solve this, after deleting the partition table, I booted the LiveCD and repartitioned the disk using fdisk. It created a single 10 GB partition which I later formatted to FAT32 with the included format.exe. After that, the installation went flawlessly and the problem was solved. It would make more sense if the installer made a single FAT16 2 GB partition, or used the whole disk to create a FAT32 partition. The crucial bit is not to silently create the four logical partitions and also leave them unformatted. I suggest that there should be an option to let the user decide what to do between these two options or something else. ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] CD drive always gets the letter H: - can't change
> I haven't been able to change the drive letter for the CD drive, no > matter how hard I try, it always defaults to the letter H: Do you have a LASTDRIVE= line in your CONFIG.SYS (or FDCONFIG.SYS) file? If so, what is it? > It was a little hard for me to unravel cdrom.bat to make sense of > how it works but I managed to reduce the important part to this: > > DEVLOAD /H UDVD2.SYS /D:FDCDX001 > SHSUCDX /~ /D:FDCDX001,D According to the documentation for SHSUCDX (typing "SHSUCDX /? at the command-line), where the drive letter is assigned is with the ",D" at the end of the SHSUCDX line. This tells SHSUCDX to start by trying to use D: as the letter for the CD. If D: isn't available, it will try the next available letter (E:) and keep going until it finds an available letter. Apparently on your system the letters D:-G: are already assigned to something (like maybe some USB drives or some extra partitions on the hard drive(s)?). You can try seeing if anything exists on the D:-G: drives (e.g., by doing a "DIR D:") and see if you can figure out what's going on. ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] More on OpenGEM
> If one maps the \OPENGEM directory to another drive letter, e.g.
>
> swsubst g: c:\opengem
>
> ... and then runs GEM from drive G, it can find its resources and
> windows get frames, title bars, etc.
FWIW, I use SWSUBST (or SUBST) a lot. SWSUBST doesn't work with all versions
of DOS -- sometimes you need to use the SUBST that came with the DOS.
My system is set up with several different Virtual Machines and DOS versions
and manufacturers so I can test various things. I can also boot DOS to real
hardware (my computers still have a BIOS). Because of all the various
configurations, my drive letters are not always consistent. To try and make
all the different configurations as similar as I can, I have a small C: drive
that just contains a few basic boot utilities, but the majority of useful
programs (including the "extended" boot utilities) are on a different drive
letter (usually D: or E:, but it depends on the exact configuration). The D:
or E: drive can be seen by all the different configurations so I only need one
copy of everything. I use {SW}SUBST to create an S: (System) drive that points
at the drive where the "real" programs are. I normally run things from the S:
drive instead of the C:, D:, or E: drive so I don't get confused about where I
am.
I also set up a few other {SW}SUBST drives, such as T: (for all my Batch
files), U: (for my Utilities), V: (for the DOS utilities associated with the
DOS I'm currently booted to), and R: (for the RAM drive where TEMP and TMP are
pointed to). Sometimes when I'm installing a new program that expects to be
installed from a floppy I use {SW}SUBST to create a "virtual" A drive that
points at the subdirectory where I have the installation files from the floppy
image stored. That usually avoids the need for an actual floppy drive (but
sometimes it doesn't work, depending on the installation program).
Similar to your GEM issue, I also have a program that expects backups to be in
the root directory of a specific drive letter rather than in a subdirectory. I
start the program with a batch file that uses {SW}SUBST to create a virtual
drive letter for the backup, and when the program exits the batch file removes
the {SW}SUBST drive letter.
In summary, I think your approach of using {SW}SUBST to create virtual drive
letters is a good one.
___
Freedos-user mailing list
Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
[Freedos-user] More on OpenGEM
Thanks to a comment on the Youtube video I linked earlier, I am finding a bit more about OpenGEM. If one maps the \OPENGEM directory to another drive letter, e.g. swsubst g: c:\opengem ... and then runs GEM from drive G, it can find its resources and windows get frames, title bars, etc. I am considering vastly simplifying Shane's batch files and trying to cut down on the config and get this working properly. I know Shane personally so I can ask him if that's OK -- I am sure he won't object. But if I want to send the revised scripts or whatever to the FreeDOS project, what's the best way. Do it on Github? Send a PR, or just fork the project and do my own? Any comments or preferences? -- Liam Proven ~ Profile: https://about.me/liamproven Email: lpro...@cix.co.uk ~ gMail/gTalk/FB: lpro...@gmail.com Twitter/LinkedIn: lproven ~ Skype: liamproven UK: (+44) 7939-087884 ~ Czech [+ WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal]: (+420) 702-829-053 ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
