Re: [Freedos-user] More on OpenGEM
On Wed, 3 Aug 2022 16:38:44 +0200 Liam Proven wrote: > Well yes. But FDIMPLES doesn't run the installer scripts anyway. > OpenGEM comes configured for VGA and expects to be installed in C:\ > whereas it is actually in C:\OPENGEM -- so it fails to start > correctly. The scripts also have provision for a lot of other stuff: > updates, app installation etc. > > I think all that can go. It's 2022. The folder has to be right, we can > assume VGA as everything else Gem supports needs a 30-35 year old > computer That definitely should be the default. Perhaps some comments in the batch file with the file names of some of the other drivers just in case someone wants to run it on older hardware. If they do, they're probably knowledgeable enough to edit the batch file. It would also be nice if the GEM folder location was configurable by editing the batch file. I don't like it when the root folder in DOS is a dumping ground for software. > I need to find a fix for the path somehow, and remove all > the prompts about quitting and restarting and so on. I don't know what language GEM is written in. I'm guessing C. If it's C, it should be easy to modify it, if need be. The only challenge is setting up the build environment. > Yes, it was, that's right. But kit like Amstrad 1000-series is what I > mean: that machine came out 36 years ago. The late-1980s Amstrad 2000 > series were VGA as were all later models. > > VGA came out in 1987, 35 years ago, and since then, basically all new > computers had at least VGA. My 1512 still works. I am not sure GEM > 2 will run on it and I don't think the source code for the drivers for the special Amstrad CGA 16 color mode were ever released. Not sure how useful GEM would be without that on such a machine. And not sure that GEM 2 programs (such as paint and locomotive basic) work on GEM > 2. Furthermore, I think GEM 2 as shipped on the Amstrad does not run in MS-DOS. It needs DOS Plus. So probably no point in trying to run a newer GEM on such hardware. It makes sense to have VGA as default and keep things simple like they are in DR-DOS. > > Same for ViewMax that came bundled with DR-DOS. > > Yep. I have a test install of that on DR-DOS 7.01-08 here. ViewMax can > use the TaskMax multitasking that is built into DR-DOS. FreeDOS has > nothing like that yet, AFAIK, and also AFAIK TaskMax won't work on any > other OS. > > I suppose I could use ViewMax instead of full GEM, though, if it's > just a launcher. ViewMax is GPL. There's also Desqview/X but I couldn't get it to work with FreeDOS. Works fine in PC-DOS however. -- GPG: C90CAB7122AC1231 pgpLatobqRkpt.pgp Description: OpenPGP digital signature ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
Re: [Freedos-user] More on OpenGEM
On Wed, 3 Aug 2022 at 14:55, Deposite Pirate wrote: > > That would be really nice. I am guessing all these batch scripts are > just there to avoid having to write an installer that will pick the > right drivers. Well yes. But FDIMPLES doesn't run the installer scripts anyway. OpenGEM comes configured for VGA and expects to be installed in C:\ whereas it is actually in C:\OPENGEM -- so it fails to start correctly. The scripts also have provision for a lot of other stuff: updates, app installation etc. I think all that can go. It's 2022. The folder has to be right, we can assume VGA as everything else Gem supports needs a 30-35 year old computer, I need to find a fix for the path somehow, and remove all the prompts about quitting and restarting and so on. Shane's own site on Github has had OpenGEM marked as a "release candidate" for 6-7 years now, so I don't think it is going to happen. :-( > I used GEM on Amstrad PC1512SD and I am quite sure that > there is just one batch script to start it whether you are starting it > from two 5,25" floppy disks or from a hard drive. Yes, it was, that's right. But kit like Amstrad 1000-series is what I mean: that machine came out 36 years ago. The late-1980s Amstrad 2000 series were VGA as were all later models. VGA came out in 1987, 35 years ago, and since then, basically all new computers had at least VGA. > Same for ViewMax that came bundled with DR-DOS. Yep. I have a test install of that on DR-DOS 7.01-08 here. ViewMax can use the TaskMax multitasking that is built into DR-DOS. FreeDOS has nothing like that yet, AFAIK, and also AFAIK TaskMax won't work on any other OS. I suppose I could use ViewMax instead of full GEM, though, if it's just a launcher. ViewMax is GPL. -- 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
Re: [Freedos-user] More on OpenGEM
On Tue, 2 Aug 2022 19:00:37 +0200 Liam Proven wrote: > 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. That would be really nice. I am guessing all these batch scripts are just there to avoid having to write an installer that will pick the right drivers. I used GEM on Amstrad PC1512SD and I am quite sure that there is just one batch script to start it whether you are starting it from two 5,25" floppy disks or from a hard drive. Same for ViewMax that came bundled with DR-DOS. -- GPG: C90CAB7122AC1231 pgpOSb9JNwK75.pgp Description: OpenPGP digital signature ___ 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 8:14 PM, Eric Auer wrote: > > > 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.bak2022-08-03 02:10:06.914145715 +0200 >> +++ FDISKIO.C2022-08-03 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. Instead of changing the existing behavior, it may be better to just create 2 new switches. /AUTO16 - Create one partition, as large as possible, up to 2GB. /AUTO32 - Create one partition, as large as possible, using entire drive (probably). Or possibly even better, /AUTOMAX n - limit number of created partitions to n. /AUTO32 - Create FAT32 partition(s). Maybe even an, /AUTOSIZE n - to specify a maximum size of automatically created partition(s). > > Eric > Just a thought. :-) Jerome ___ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
