Hello Steven -

At 03:20 PM 11/10/02 +0000, you wrote:

>> One problem I had was being too 'comfortable' while
>> using Basic Linux and forgot to unmount a floppy.
>> The floppy was totally scrambled, everything on it
>> was lost (to me)

>This is certainly an issue with floppies (I've done it
>myself).  The problem is that disk writes are buffered
>and it can take a wee while for the disk to sync.  If
>you pull the floppy before it is fully updated, you
>could have a mess.  The umount command forces a sync.

I think you explained what I had done and I do try to
remember to umount but using both Linux and DOS I worry
that I will forget - again.

>> and the realization that I _could_  have been using
>> a hard drive partition and done the same thing really
>> rattled me.

>Not really an issue with HD.  Updating is much faster than
>with a floppy.  Moreover, CTRL-ALT-DEL shuts things down
>in an orderly fashion (no sync problem).  However, if you
>start a long write to HD and *quickly* punch the reset
>button, you might get a problem.

I think I locked up the system fiddling around or something
like that.  I never use reset (normally) as even a DOS
app can do damage if writing when you 'reset'.

>> I hesitate to mention this 'problem' I had to potential
>> users of any Linux but I also worry they, like me, will
>> think they are in DOS and just press reset without a
>> proper unmount and shutdown first. :-\

>Pressing reset is a no-no.  CTRL-ALT-DEL is the way to go.

Agreed but when everything refuses to acknowledge the keyboard
you have no choice but to turn the machine off (reset).

My W31 setup has become invulnerable to reset or even just
turning off the machine.  I have no idea what I changed that
was the right thing to do but it's bullet proofed against
scrambled files somehow.  A great relief as W31 does lockup
from time to time.



Charles Angelich

The Ghost in the Machine!

DOS and W31 Tech website:
http://www.undercoverdesign.com/dosghost/

Stories, poems, MP3/MIDI music, and photos website:
http://www.undercoverdesign.com/dosghost/faf/

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