Re: [Freedos-user] cannot boot installation media

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

I found Rufus to be the best option for creating a bootable usb drive for
freeDOS in all my trials.

Booting to usb on any system can be a challenge.
I know on one laptop we have it is a Windows 10 (originally Windows 8) it
absolutely refuses to boot into ANY usb unless we remove the hard drive.

Just to verify, not be annoying, when ya boot up the laptop, ya press the
F10 key (maybe repeatedly) until ya get a menu askin what to boot to.  The
boot my be separate or listed under hard drive depending on the bios.

Select the usb device and see if it boots.  If not do ya get an error
similiar to “no bootable device found”?

On Sun, Apr 28, 2024 at 06:37 Davi Ramos via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> Eh... I tried every single BIOS setting that might be even slightly
> relevant. I created the USB sticks with the programs which are recommended
> for me to use. I ordered 3 USB sticks of different brands. I devoted 24
> hours to make this work already. If the new sticks don't work, I think
> I'll, unfortunately have install Linux and move on with life :(
>
> On Sun, Apr 28, 2024 at 7:28 AM Eric Auer via Freedos-user <
> freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> Hi! Not all USB sticks are enabled for booting. And maybe it is disabled
>> in your BIOS setup. The MBR of the stick may matter as well, and whether
>> you boot UEFI style (not possible with FreeDOS) or classic style ;-)
>>
>>
>>
>>
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Re: [Freedos-user] cannot boot installation media

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

On the download page, try gettin the floppy version.  On real hardware ya
may need to use an external drive, or built-in cdrom/drdrom drive if one is
available.  Also ya need to go in your bios and make sure that the usb is
setup as your first boot item.  Find the key for your bot options, i
believe f10 on compaq/hp systems amd pres that during boot to select the
usb device.  By default computers are made to boot to the onboard drive and
ya need to select usb on the boot menu or set up in bios to use it.

On Sat, Apr 27, 2024 at 23:30 Davi Ramos via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> So, as I said in another message, I have a computer where I wish to
> install FreeDOS. It is a *Compaq Presario 427, Intel Pentium N3700, 4GB
> RAM, SSD 240GB, and a 14" screen.*
>
> Unfortunately, I cannot get it to boot the installation media
> .
> I have tried numerous USB flash drives as well as an SD card. Forcing it to
> boot takes me back to the bios screen after a few seconds. When I change
> the boot mode to "Legacy", than the flash drive simply disappear. To the
> bios, it's like it doesn't exist.
>
> I'm not sure what the etiquette of sending files to a mailing list is, so
> I uploaded the images with all the settings available on my computer's
> bios. Maybe that will help. I've tried a bunch of combinations but nothing
> seems to work. I was capable of booting into antiX Linux, so it is not as
> if the bios won't boot anything.
>
> These are the images of the bios: https://imgur.com/a/pw8xJBS
>
> Thanks!
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Re: [Freedos-user] questions about installing FreeDOS on real hardware

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

On Sat, Apr 27, 2024 at 18:51 Davi Ramos via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> Hi!
>
> “I will be installing FreeDOS 1.3 on my laptop, a Compaq Presario 42. It
> has an Intel Pentium N3700, 4GB RAM, SSD 240GB, and 14" screen. I have a
> few questions.”
>

  I use FreeDOS on real hardware here an MSI motherboard Intel Core 2 Quad
2.66ghz with 4gb ram.  80gb sata mechanical hard drive.

>
> “First, what is the ideal filesystem for FreeDOS? As a Linux user for many
> years, I have the habit of preparing the partitions beforehand using
> GParted. I wish to do the same here. Even more because, given the fact that
> the machine as 240GB of SSD storage, it probably doesn't make sense to
> reserve it all to FreeDOS. And, while I won't be installing any other OS on
> the machine right now, it is probably a good idea to keep my options open.
> So, to summarize, how big show the FreeDOS, and what should be its
> filesystem format (FAT, FAT32, exfat, NTFS)?”
>

  You can use goarted to format the drive, but I recomemd that you use
fdisk in freedos to do the partitioning as dos/freedos can be picky with
partitions.

  For partiton size, it all depends on what you will be usin your freedos
for.  I think anything over 20 gb will be a bit much and that will give
plenty of room left for another OS, if ya choose to do that later.  My
system is dedicated only to freedos and my setup has 4 partitions with 20gb
each.  I do that to have each one a specific purpose, but one partition for
most people is recomended with freedos.

  FreeDOS uses either fat16 or fat32.  Freedos cannot, as far as I know
boot to any other filesystem.

>
> “Also, will the FreeDOS installer take care of installing the bootloader?
> Is there anything more specific I should be concerned with?”
>

  Yes when ya install freedos, it will handle the bootloader for you.

>
> “I should mention that a fast boot time is a priority for this project.
> I'm already impressed with FreeDOS on VirtualBox, which got very fast once
> I commented out the parts about CD-ROMS from "fdauto.bat". In my
> estimation, FreeDOS boots in 2 to 3 seconds on Virtualbox. Is there
> anything I should watch out for in terms of making boot instantaneous?”
>

  Freedos is quite fast boot.  You don’t need to do anything.

  Since you used freedos on virtualbox, ya know how freedos boots up.
Difference is on real hardware, networking and cdrom may not be detected
and work as it does on virtualbox.  For my system, I have cdrom, but no
networking.

>
> “Two more questions. First, can I swap caps with escape? As a Vim user,
> that is kinda essential. Second, will I be able to use USB to transfer
> files to and from it? That would make my life much easier.”
>

  I don’t know on the first question.

  Second question is yes, however some things to know.

  On my system, if I have a usb fat32 plugged it it automatically sees it
and I can access it so I don’t need any drivers, however on systems that
don’t do that ya will need to get usb dos drivers and set freedos up to use
them.  This will have an effect of a longer boot time as it will need to
scan for usb ports and any devices on the port during bootup.

>
> “Thanks!”
>

  You’re welcome.  Enjoy.

>
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Re: [Freedos-user] MSD freedos diagnostic comparative?

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

There is a program called HWInfo for DOS that may be what ya lookin for.
It gives alot of info on your hardware.  Unless I a, mistaken, it is
freeware.  One thing, though is under freedos (on my system) it reports I
am runnin under win95/OS/2, or DOS Mode.  Still works fine.  Also gives a
warning bout running in v86 mode because of expanded menory.  I would check
that out.

On Sat, Apr 27, 2024 at 00:43 Karen Lewellen via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> Hi all,
> simple question.
> Given freedos does support  things like larger hard drives and so forth, I
> am wondering if there is a simple tool comparative to msd for DOS among
> freedos utilities?
> or, if anyone knows of a simple tool?
> my goal is not so much diagnostics as a clear indicator of  machine stats,
> the way msd provides, processor speed, type of video card, number of
> drives,
> memory, irq allocations, those sorts of things.
> the tech behind my new machine has a new job, and was not solid enough in
> DOS to provide these details..and I have what may be a failing power
> supply I cannot replace until I know how much power is best.
> ideas?
> even a DOS port of Linux tool?
> Thanks,
> Karen
>
>
>
>
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Re: [Freedos-user] shouldn't fdimples add programs to path?

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

For most used programs I would ad an alias in the fdauto.bat file so far
this has worked perfectly and doesn’t fill up the path line.

Fdimples just installs software anddoesn’t add them to any path or
anything.  If I am wrong someone can correct me.

On Thu, Apr 25, 2024 at 10:51 Davi Ramos via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> I installed a bunch of stuff (all editors) but when I try to run them it
> doesn't seem like they're on the path. Is that the correct behavior? Should
> I manually add the bins to path? If so, how?
>
> Thanks!
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Re: [Freedos-user] FreeDOS install

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

Thanks to jerome I believe the issue was tryin to install over the old copy
since i fprmated the drive before the install this time and it worked.  I
probably should have tried that before sendin out the long message.  My
gremlin there.

I cannot use vbox since my pc cannot run it, unless there is an xp
version.  I prefer connectix virtual pc in xp and have the option to share
files between xp and the virtual machine.

Thanls to everyone for their replies and assistance.  Great community.

On Sun, Apr 7, 2024 at 11:27 Paul Dufresne  wrote:

>
> https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/distributions/test/FDT2404-LiveCD.zip
> worked for me (in QEMU).
> I have chosen 'Install to hard disk' from the main menu.
>
> Do you install in english?
>
> Have you verified the file with
> https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/distributions/test/verify.txt
> ?
> You could use https://www.winmd5.com/ ...
>
> Maybe try with VirtualBox:
> https://download.virtualbox.org/virtualbox/7.0.14/VirtualBox-7.0.14-161095-Win.exe
>
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Re: [Freedos-user] FreeDOS install

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

The install I have wanted to try (in connectix vpc) is the test FreeDOS
FDT2404-Live CD.zip from ibiblio.  The test fails on both options with or
without sources added.  TestDisk is where it will always stop.
‘Util\testdisk’ package. A reboot may help.

On Sun, Apr 7, 2024 at 01:49 Jerome Shidel via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> > On Apr 6, 2024, at 8:40 PM, Norby Droid via Freedos-user <
> freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:
> >
> > One issue I find alot when tryin to install FreeDos is that it would go
> most of the way through the install then without any reason and no
> explanation as to why, it just stops and says there is a problem so reboot
> or exit.
>
> The installer is batch based. It uses other executable utilities to
> perform the required tasks. This limits the amount of information that is
> passed back to the installer when an error occurs.
>
> However, there are only a couple things that generally cause an install to
> fail after packages have already started to extract successfully.
>
> Corrupted install media.
> Insufficient disk space.
> File conflicts.
>
> Around the time of the 1.3 release, there was a file conflict that would
> occur when Full+Sources was selected. One of the packages contained its
> source files and those of another package. So when selected, it would cause
> a conflict during installation. That conflict was resolved and does not
> occur in the latest test builds.
>
> You could just install BASE with or without sources. Then after rebooting
> from the installed system, put the CD back into the drive and run FDIMPLES.
>
> That will make it easy to install any additional packages that could have
> been installed with FULL or those from the BonusCD.
>
> You could also try the monthly interim test build of FreeDOS. While it is
> not a “release”, it contains many fixes since 1.3 and numerous software
> updates. However, it is a test build and some of the updated software may
> have issues. It is available on ibiblio in the test directory for
> distributions.
>
> >
> > I have FD in three locations.  Second drive in my old desktop, usb
> drive, and in connectix virtual pc in windows xp.  The glitch would happen
> no matter which environment I use.  I decided to use 7zip to test and
> extract all files from the liveCD and all passed and was successful.  As
> another test I went in and tested all the .zip files found in the
> directories and they also all passed the test.  I take from this that if
> the files are good then the issue is with my system?
>
> If your installing Full + Sources, possibly not.
>
> >
> > Is there any way to find out why it crashes?
>
> Not really.
>
> When 1.3 was released, there was no reliable good was to record such
> information during installation.
>
> Since that time, a new utility was created that can efficiently record
> boot messages, program output and other messages. That programs recording
> could be output to a log when needed.
>
> However, no decision has been made to use the program on the install
> media. If it were, support could be added to the installer to record more
> detailed information about the installation process.
>
>
> > I know in the latest version on ibiblio the file “TestDisk” is where it
> would always crash.  Is it possible to just extract all the .zip files into
> separate directories in each folder the zips reside in and still have a
> proper FreeDos install?
>
> Well, mostly yes. But, there are some issues with dying it that way.
>
> Most programs that come with FreeDOS will work fine regardless of what
> directory they are located. However, a few won’t and need configured for
> their location.
>
> Also, the directories in the zip archive are meta-directories. Many paths
> are remapped during the package installation.
>
> :-)
> Jerome
>
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[Freedos-user] FreeDOS install

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

One issue I find alot when tryin to install FreeDos is that it would go
most of the way through the install then without any reason and no
explanation as to why, it just stops and says there is a problem so reboot
or exit.

I have FD in three locations.  Second drive in my old desktop, usb drive,
and in connectix virtual pc in windows xp.  The glitch would happen no
matter which environment I use.  I decided to use 7zip to test and extract
all files from the liveCD and all passed and was successful.  As another
test I went in and tested all the .zip files found in the directories and
they also all passed the test.  I take from this that if the files are good
then the issue is with my system?

Is there any way to find out why it crashes?  I know in the latest version
on ibiblio the file “TestDisk” is where it would always crash.  Is it
possible to just extract all the .zip files into separate directories in
each folder the zips reside in and still have a proper FreeDos install?

I love FreeDos and use it more than xp for Basic Programming in a couple
different ones (PowerBasic 3.5 and FreeBasic).

Thank You Jim Hall amd all those involved with its development.
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[Freedos-user] Audio PCI 1370 Sound Card

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

does anyone have any experience with this card in FreeDOS?

it will initialize the card and show the info but when I use aptest or any
program/game with sound it fails?


Aptest reports it cannot find a legacy device.

fdauto:
set sndscape=c:\util\audiopci
set blaster=a220 i5 d1 t2
@call c:\util\audiopci\apinit.com
@call c:\util\audiopci\apload.com

output:
audiopci @ port ef00 irq 10
initialization complete

aptest result:
error: no audiopci legacy device was detected

this card works fine in Windows XP.
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Re: [Freedos-user] Coding in BASIC for Freedos?

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

>
> DOes anyone have any experience with AUdioPCI cards onFreeDOS?


I bought a card that says 1370 on it and when I load it in FreeDOS with
these commands in fdauto:
SET SNDSCCAPE=C:\UTIL\EAPCI
SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1 T2
@CALL C:\UTIL\EAPCI\APINIT.COM

I get this:
AudioPCI @ Port EF00 IRQ10
Initialization Complete

When I try to use APTEST to test it I get this:
Error: No AudioPCI legacy device was Detected

What can I do o fix this so I can have sound?
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Re: [Freedos-user] Coding in BASIC for Freedos?

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

I program in FreeDOS all the time using a BASIC languaage called
FreeBASIC.  It is a great language and a great community along with it.
FreBASIC is a free language currently at Version 1.10.

On Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 1:26 PM Jim Hall via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> On Fri, Mar 15, 2024 at 11:45 AM Thomas Cornelius Desi via
> Freedos-user  wrote:
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > could someone from the list give me an advice, what programming language
> to learn,
> > if I would want to do some programming in FREEDOS?
> >
> > I am an absolute »Noobie« with programming, but stumbling about some
> source files,
> > especially BASIC, which I would work with.
> >
> > My aim is to do some alterations to existing source (sort-of-text
> editor).
> >
> > What would your advice be?
> >
>
>
> Great to hear you want to create programs in FreeDOS!
>
> We list some resources on our website that you might be interested in:
> https://www.freedos.org/about/devel/
>
> Our preferred C compiler for FreeDOS programs is OpenWatcom C, and our
> preferred assembler is NASM. But if you are just getting started, you
> might start with something like BASIC or Pascal. We include many of
> these tools in FreeDOS. Here's a list of everything that's available
> in FreeDOS 1.3 (look at 'devel'):
>
> https://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/distributions/1.3/official/report.html
>
> The 'fbc' package is the FreeBASIC Compiler, and 'fpc' is the
> FreePascal Compiler.
>
> If you want to explore other programming languages, we have a "teach
> yourself" guide to learn C programming here:
> https://www.freedos.org/books/cprogramming/
>
> That "ebook" also has links to YouTube videos if you prefer tutorial
> videos. You can also find other "programming how-to" videos in the
> "FreeDOS Programming" playlist on the FreeDOS YouTube channel:
> https://www.youtube.com/@freedosproject/playlists
>
> To learn about C programming, I recommend using a C compiler we
> provide in the FreeDOS distribution. I really like IA-16 GCC and
> OpenWatcom C.
>
>
> Writing a text editor as a first project when learning programming may
> be a tough job. But you suggested you want to make changes to an
> existing editor, so that may involve less work. To learn a new
> programming language, I recommend starting with small programs and
> work your way up. The C programming guide (above) walks you through
> how to write your own simple versions of several FreeDOS commands ..
> and by the end of the book you learn how to write your own turn-based
> board game using the conio library in C.
>
>
> I hope that helps you to get started!
>
>
> Jim
>
>
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[Freedos-user] Ramdisk

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

I am usin a msi computer to run FreeDos 1.3 and setup a ramdrive.

Reading through the docs I setup fdconfig with srdxms.sys h: srdummy,sys h:
and then in fdauto I run srdisk h: 51200.

If I try usin the srdems.sys after chioosin option 3 for ems the computer
just stalls and I have to reboot the system.

The prooblem I am havin is it shows that I have H: as a ramdisk, but when I
try to go to H: it tells me that H: is an invalid drive.  I forst tried
with R: but that also gives invalid fdrive when I tryo to go to it.

Maybe it is my setup?  Currently I have an 80gb drive (probably overkill
for DOS).  It has 4 partitions 3@20GB and the last one woth remainin space.

There is 6GB ram instaled in the system.  Can I setup 2 or 4 gb to a drive?

Thank you.
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[Freedos-user] DOS Mode - My Two Cente

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

I think there may be a bit of confusion we need to let new DOS users aware
of, and that is DOS is a "Text-Mode" system and not graphical like Windows,
Linux, MacOS, etc.

DOS by nature is only text (although graphics is possible)

Maybe make a distinction between "Text Resolution" and "Graphic/Screen
Resolution"

DOS when booted is 80 characters with 25 lines using an 8x16 pixel font.
This could be called a text resolution of 640x400 (not 640x480 which is
actually 30 lines of 80 characters).

You can change the number of lines and the number of characters per line as
well as the width and height of the font (like 8x32 or 9x16) which will
give ya more room or less depending on your choices as well as change the
look of the text, but this is still ALL text not graphics.

Also of note is that although ya can be making changes, DOS has the
tendency to revert back to its default state of 25x80 8x16 native font when
he screen gets cleared or when exiting different software.

This is my two cents about DOS Mode.  Just remember DOS is Text (by
default) not Graphics.
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Re: [Freedos-user] How do I change screen resolution?

[Norby Droid via Freedos-user]

Here is somethin ya may find interesting:
http://www.steptail.com/guides:text_mode
Freeware program it is software and not a guide as it appears.

On Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 01:40 Rugxulo via Freedos-user <
freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> On Mon, Aug 7, 2023 at 3:33 PM Eric Auer via Freedos-user
>  wrote:
> >
> > Assuming that you just want to have MORE text on your screen,
> > without actually wanting to use graphics mode, you can select
> > quite a few modes with MODE CON or with various VESA tools.
>
> Here's an old thread about it:
>
> *
> https://freedos-user.narkive.com/iKOZ0sY6/vertical-lines-bands-in-lcd-display-but-ok-on-crt
>
> Some reference info:
> * https://help.fdos.org/en/hhstndrd/cnfigsys/screen.htm
> * https://www.computerhope.com/modehlp.htm
>
> Some utilities:
>
> *
> http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/util/user/setmxx.zip
> *
> http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/micro/pc-stuff/freedos/files/util/user/svgatextmode/
> *
> http://web.archive.org/web/20110807104438/http://omniplex.om.funpic.de/dos/setlines.htm
>
>
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