Post by: Drawclif on July 08, 2002, 08:58:53 PM
My problem is that I want to make a true windows boot CD to solve a number of problems, but mainly how to backup my notebook drive (I use partitionquest drive image) to an external HDD connected via Firewire. normally PQDI boots to DOS to do the backup, and of course there is no DOS support for firewire. For partition othere than the active windows, PQDI will run under windows. and there use the drivers. So if i can just boot windows from the CD . . . .
I cannot beleive no-one else wants to do this !
Post by: Lukey on July 09, 2002, 12:38:22 AM
http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/ (http://\"http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/\")
I currently try to get figured out, if there is a possibillity to also make NT/2K or XP bootable from CD - maybe like ERD Commander!
Greetings
Lukey
Post by: Fjellu on July 09, 2002, 04:00:59 AM
Post by: Fjellu on July 09, 2002, 04:35:20 PM
http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/ (http://\"http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/\")
Post by: Fjellu on July 11, 2002, 05:00:37 AM
What can be the problem? To much memory (1,5 Gb)?
Post by: Anonymous on July 17, 2002, 04:58:14 AM
Could it be that some of the things you run/install autoexec or config.sys or windows.whatever) need to write to the disk?
There is hardly any self-modification going on (although I wouldn\'t put it past MS), but some progs. and drivers need to do some temp stuff, which they just might do in the current directory (which, in the case of a bootable CD, would be read-only!!!)
Have you tried some kind of ram-disk trick?
Please let me know if you succeed in this undertaking, I would be VERY interrested in obtaining a copy of such a CD image!!! (Even one booting DOS would be nice).
A-)
Post by: Anonymous on July 17, 2002, 07:23:39 AM
Post by: RNR on July 17, 2002, 03:03:41 PM
Post by: Fjellu on July 19, 2002, 02:34:13 AM
So at that stage all you have done is installing W9x on your X: hardrive using subst.exe (c:wsubst.exe x: c:cdrom)
The ram-disk trick comes later when w9x is installed and you have all your modifications and applications up and running
Post by: Fjellu on July 19, 2002, 02:38:24 AM
The article in question is translated from german. My german is not so good, but maybe something got lost in the translation.
I would still like to get past the memory error after the first reboot in the installation process.
Post by: Anonymous on July 19, 2002, 10:30:56 AM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />
Post by: Fjellu on July 19, 2002, 07:00:46 PM
Post by: Anonymous on July 20, 2002, 10:10:52 AM
1. Make sure your paths are correct \"c:w...\"
2. Make sure you load Himem.sys as the first line of you config.sys file
3. Make sure you load all drivers with DEVICEHIGH=
4. On autoexec.bat, use the command lh c:wsubst.exe x: c:cdrom
5. Also in autoexec, check you path line - make sure it doesnt read anything extra... shold be
PATH=c:w;x:w;x:wcommand;x:wsystem
6. Did you install windows \"first install process\" to x:w?
Make sure of all those things, and it should work, if not, please let me know.
Post by: Anonymous on July 20, 2002, 11:02:24 AM
I am not sure if it is something in command.com or in io.sys that is creating the problem, if someone has an idea, it would be greatly appreciated, plus, I figure im only like 10 minutes away from actually having a complete version on cd along with a bunch of other apps
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />...This may be a tech question for Twinkie or so...
Post by: Anonymous on July 23, 2002, 01:17:01 PM
Post by: Fjellu on July 24, 2002, 05:25:09 AM
Post by: Anonymous on July 24, 2002, 02:43:18 PM
Post by: Anonymous on July 30, 2002, 12:28:01 PM
?
/ohmy.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':o\' />) ?
Post by: Anonymous on July 31, 2002, 03:07:00 PM
I would love to use this for client temp restores.
Can you access the Internet once it\'s running? I don\'t see how any of this is possible.
Post by: Anonymous on August 01, 2002, 08:14:39 AM
Post by: Anonymous on August 04, 2002, 03:28:46 PM
Post by: Anonymous on August 27, 2002, 10:23:10 AM
http://www.winternals.com/products/repaira...mmander2002.asp (http://\"http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/erdcommander2002.asp\")
Post by: Anonymous on September 04, 2002, 08:12:52 PM
Post by: Mr.Bill on September 23, 2002, 07:20:27 AM
Does anyone know of any way to tell windows to avoid the 200MB I set up for a RAMDISK?
Post by: DPC on September 23, 2002, 11:08:03 AM
Post by: Sorin on September 26, 2002, 03:45:15 PM
I have a particular problem with DVin Lite, a software that will not run on WinXP, so I need a way to boot my computer to a Win98 environement without having to reinstall.
I read the instructions at http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/ (http://\"http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/\") but don\'t think I am able to get it done and it means I have to uninstall WinXP anyway to do it.
Post by: Clue on September 26, 2002, 06:10:40 PM
Windows NT4 embedded
Or
Windows XP embedded
These two versions of windows (no win2K version) are a specially designed for running from read only devices such as CDROM.
There’s also a workaround for running Windows 95 and even 98 which the big companies such as IBM, DELL and HP used to make a rescue/install system.
I am not sure but you can use a special version of \'windows XP for tablet pc\' that can run on Intel CPU (this OS designed to run from tablet/handheld pc)
Post by: Clue on September 26, 2002, 06:12:15 PM
http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/ (http://\"http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/\")
Post by: Anonymous on October 07, 2002, 01:27:18 PM
Post by: Fjellu on October 08, 2002, 12:01:09 PM
Post by: Anonymous on October 09, 2002, 02:00:04 AM
Post by: Anonymous on October 12, 2002, 02:14:17 AM
Post by: Anonymous on October 12, 2002, 02:25:15 AM
Post by: Anonymous on October 18, 2002, 06:09:15 PM
Post by: Anonymous on October 19, 2002, 12:25:37 AM
Some hints:
This method only works on a single hardware platform. Since it boots from CD, plug n play does not play nice here.
There is no way to disable plug n play in Win98.
If you have a single hardware platform, but the PCI cards could be in different spots, move the card(s) to the other PCI slots and let Windows detect the hardware change before finalizing your CD. For example, a SCSI card that could be in PCI slot 2 OR PCI slot 3.
Take your time and read the steps carefully. It\'s best to tackle this project when you can devote your full attention to it.
Post by: Anonymous on October 22, 2002, 03:50:37 AM
BTW, I did some checking on the ERD Commander as well as the XP Embedded as others have recomended, and I don\'t think that these are what most of us have in mind when trying to make windows run directly from cd. Just my opinion though.
Cheers!
Post by: RedHatLinux on October 24, 2002, 06:42:21 PM
Post by: Anonymous on October 24, 2002, 11:14:46 PM
Post by: Josetann on October 25, 2002, 01:38:57 AM
Post by: austi on October 29, 2002, 09:40:20 AM
Post by: Anonymous on October 29, 2002, 12:29:07 PM
Post by: Anonymous on October 29, 2002, 09:41:53 PM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />
Post by: Anonymous on November 01, 2002, 01:43:57 PM
Post by: Anonymous on November 02, 2002, 02:43:53 PM
However after burning I tried booting and my modem was in the device manager, but the \"Create new connection\" didn\'t detect it :-(
However it was much time ago, and I don\'t exactly remember what I changed to get it working, nor all the functions I added (there were many that would not be possible strictly following the instructions on that page).
Post by: Leroy on November 05, 2002, 01:13:41 AM
if any can helpme
sendme a mail
mike_leroy23Email Removed
Thanks
Leroy
Note: sorry for my english
Post by: Anonymous on November 08, 2002, 03:34:25 AM
My problem is that I want to make a true windows boot CD
Post by: Lycoris User on November 14, 2002, 03:51:02 AM
I tried following the c\'t instructions exactly, but there were a few discrepancies which led to failures....examples are the amount of ramdisk needs to be higher, no spaces in the \"Paths\".....you also need to get the correct dos driver for your cdrom, as well as give it the right name (ie mscd001).....you also need to go through every app that you install to make sure that when closing the app, it does not need write access to the disk (ie photoshop, dreamweaver, winzip, winamp, winmx.....). FYI, i used win95b which was easier to do than trying win98.....I\'m not complaining though, at least I can run win apps in my office which has gone totally linux.
My next target is to try and create a true win live cd which can work flawlessly on all comps......
cheers!
Post by: Anonymous on November 18, 2002, 08:20:05 AM
boots to a gui from cd allows tco/ip access to network, also allows running of third party apps ( non winternals)
You can edit registry, change admin pw an more.
Post by: Anonymous on November 21, 2002, 03:54:31 PM
Good luck getting your hands on it though. Apparently only OEM\'s and volume licensed customers can get it.
Post by: Tracky110XP on November 22, 2002, 10:58:56 AM
as soon as i worked with ERD commander the Win PE hit the trash, everything you can do in winPE can be done in ERD commander Plus about 5 times more functionality and usefulness.
I\'ve looked through my information on WinPE and found a little training thing on it, the training on WinPE will be attached to the log.
for more information on the ERD commander please visit: http://www.winternals.com/products/repaira...mmander2002.asp (http://\"http://www.winternals.com/products/repairandrecovery/erdcommander2002.asp\")
Now i know that most of you that are reading this are not going to spend this much money for a program, so if you were to want this software i would sugest that you search for \"Administrator\'s Pak\"not ERD commander 2002.
Post by: emulator on December 03, 2002, 09:52:16 AM
Post by: TheQuietAchiver on December 14, 2002, 04:57:00 AM
Hi the way i did up my cdrom was by installing windows 98se in drive c: then setting it up the way i wanted it to run, under 700mb to fit on a 700mb cd, from there i clicked on the Start button and selected programs, acessories, system tools, then clicked on system information, from there i clicked on tools in the menu and selected system configuration utility and unclicked the startup group and restarted the computer.
From there i opened up explorer and selected to show all files and hidden files, and selected drive C: from there i made a new directory called cdrom and copied the contents of the whole C: drive into that directory. then double clicked on that directory and double clicked on command.com to open up the dos prompt in that directory. from there i typed in attrib -r -s -h *.* /s , to change the attribtes.
Then i copied it all onto a cdrom with nero as a bootable cdrom, with the floppy disk built like this.
**** Autoexec.bat ****
mscdex /d:cd001 /l:c /m:12
set COMSPEC=c:command.com
set tmp=c:
set temp=c:
SET PATH=%PATH%;c:;c:windows;c:windowscommand;c:windowssystem
c:
cd c:windows
win
*** Config.sys ***
files=20
buffers=20
devicehigh=a:himem.sys
devicehigh=a:dblbuff.sys
devicehigh=a:setver.exe
devicehigh=a:Ifshlp.sys
devicehigh=a:oakcdrom.sys /d:cd001
dos=high
dos=umb
lastdrive z
Last of all i copied the io.sys and msdos.sys to the floppy disk drive plus the other files mentioned in the autoexec.bat and config.sys. Hope This Helps,,Have Fun
Trouble shooting
I decided to leave out the ramdisk with this one, and it ran good as well but it wont let you change much.
if you have troubles and want to change a few settings on yours then include the xmsdsk ramdriver, and copy the registry into memory and modify msdos.sys to point to where the registry will be stored.
Post by: Anonymous on December 15, 2002, 02:14:50 PM
**** Autoexec.bat ****
mscdex /d:cd001 /l:c /m:12
set COMSPEC=c:command.com
set tmp=c:
set temp=c:
SET PATH=%PATH%;c:;c:windows;c:windowscommand;c:windowssystem
c:
cd c:windows
win
maybe the c: is just a mistake but normally c is your hard drive and considering that with mscdex you set your cdrom as d: I am thinking that it is just a boot floppy cd, though, if you did edit autoexec.bat and changed \"c:...\" to \"d:...\" then I would love to try your way since it seems a load easier. That would also explain how you were able to do this without a ramdrive.
Post by: TheQuietAchiver on December 16, 2002, 07:21:58 PM
ThankYou,
Yes i setup Windows on my harddrive first, then i copied it to cdrom including command.com, and removed the hardrive out and ran it all from cdrom using that configuration on mine, im using it now networked to my brothers computer.
I have it setup so it uses all the files on the cdrom without a ramdisk and have tried all other types as well, i found that windows 95 complains about not being able to write to the registry, so i went to windows 98SE and it works good as long as nothing gets changed on the computer, and nothing gets loaded up in your start menu on bootup, or registry.
There is a really good site that i found at http://www.windrv.com (http://\"http://www.windrv.com\") and they have something very interesting on there site for creating up ramdisks for windows, i am really looking forward to seeing there next demo version as well.
Hope this helped.
Post by: Anonymous on December 18, 2002, 12:11:40 PM
but say error when tray to boot in C:windowscommand.com
file damaged
Meaby something wrong in the paths
or for what is the error
Thaks
Post by: TheQuietAchiver on December 20, 2002, 07:40:03 PM
Post by: Anonymous on December 25, 2002, 02:36:25 AM
I\'ve been following your discussion about Bootable Windows CD from the beginning. I too have the write-up from the http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/ (http://\"http://www.heise.de/ct/english/99/11/206/\") and with the tips from your discussion, I was able to make a \'Real Bootable Windows CD\' on the first try. I suggest you follow the instruction in the above write-up exactly and make a bootable floppy with the modified IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS. First try booting with this floppy and see if anything is wrong. The only problem I faced was in the device driver for my CD Rom. But I solved it. My config.sys and autoexec.bat looks like this:
config.sys
=======
DEVICEHIGH=a:himem.sys
DEVICEHIGH=a:ifshlp.sys
DEVICEHIGH=a:dblbuff.sys
DEVICEHIGH=a:setver.exe
devicehigh=oakcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
devicehigh=aspicd.sys /D:mscd001
autoexec.bat
==========
LH a:MSCDEX.EXE /D:mscd001 /L:X /M:50
a:xmsdsk 4000 w: /y
copy c:command.com w:
SET COMSPEC=w:command.com
a:xcopy X:ramdisk*.* w: /s
path w:;x:windows;X:windowscommand;x:windowssystem
x:
If anybody is interested I am thinking of making a step-by-step instruction. Basically the same as the German one but more to the bone.
Hope this will help.
Thanks
Iyer
Post by: Anonymous on December 26, 2002, 01:15:28 PM
i still have one problem now, once you change the registry\'s SystemRoot to W:W the dialup networking does\'nt work anymore becuse it can\'t find the modem...
any idea on this? thanks
Post by: mgsriramiyer on December 30, 2002, 07:18:22 AM
I too have the same problem. Though my network is up and running. My Modem is shown as installed in Device Manager, but no dial-up networking. If you have around 64 MB RAM you can assign about 16 MB RAMDISK.
My problem now I can use this CD only in my computer. I need generic drivers for all my HW to make it run in all Computers. If someone has done this pls. share the info.
Thanks
Iyer
Post by: TheQuietAchiver. on January 02, 2003, 06:11:42 AM
I was browsing the internet last night and came across this web site at http://www.qualystem.com/en/download.html (http://\"http://www.qualystem.com/en/download.html\")
There is a program on that site called \"Qualystem Rescue for Windows 9X/ME\" that is a graphical way of creating windows bootable cdroms, that run windows all off the cdrom.
I tried it out and think it is great, its definately worth a look at.
Post by: Anonymous on January 08, 2003, 10:06:11 AM
Post by: Anonymous on January 12, 2003, 02:51:46 AM
Post by: Anonymous on January 12, 2003, 08:02:41 PM
When you boot from the CD, it \'emulates\' C: drive and all your HDD partitions are shifted one letter down the alphabet, ie C: becomes D: etc etc.
Post by: Anonymous on January 15, 2003, 10:06:05 PM
I am able to surf the internet, even have a temporary internet folder
I made my ram disk 100 mgs to support the temp internet files.
Post by: The_Flames on January 16, 2003, 10:56:56 AM
The goal of the cd is to have a working 9x system that boots off a cd and works on most systems
Post by: Anonymous on January 23, 2003, 12:43:52 AM
Post by: Anonymous on January 24, 2003, 03:26:49 AM
Post by: TheQuietAchiver. on January 27, 2003, 10:08:56 PM
From there reboot back to windows and start up nero burning rom, select to create a bootable cdrom and select the Floppy.img that is located in the c:beos directory as the boot image and burn that to the cdrom.
After that has been burned to the cdrom, go back to nero and from the file menu select burn image, and select the other image file called c:beosimage.be and burn that to the cdrom as a block size of 2048.
then test out the cdrom and if every thing worked ok, it should bootup to a screen about installing beos onto your hard drive, so just press ctrl+alt+del and select restart desktop, then you can click on the installer program in the taskbar and select hide, thats all i have done so far with it all, hope this helped as well.
Post by: Anonymous on January 28, 2003, 03:45:24 PM
if you have a img so that you burn it
and command com of your system to it it
will boot anytime
but to make a boot back up is a little harder but it can be done
some one has tried me mainly
Post by: The_Flames on January 29, 2003, 09:43:05 AM
I\'m sure this thread is for a \"Real\", Windows bootable cd .
the challenge is to get win 9x running of a cd with no instalation, no HDD
Post by: Jazkal on January 29, 2003, 11:16:15 AM
Post by: Anonymous on February 04, 2003, 07:39:59 PM
Post by: Anonymous on February 10, 2003, 03:54:58 PM
Post by: The_Flames on February 10, 2003, 08:12:49 PM
/biggrin.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':D\' />
Post by: Anonymous on February 12, 2003, 06:02:32 PM
Mike
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?id=160...ect=article.cfm (http://\"http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?id=160&object=article.cfm\")
Post by: The_Flames on February 12, 2003, 07:17:20 PM
Post by: cpumore on February 18, 2003, 10:49:55 AM
I own Stealth Logon, a private company which has developed a utility to run WIndows 95 from a CD and RAM Drive only. No Hard Drive is needed during the CD Boot.
We are still making improvements to our software and will have a version for Windows 98 by March 15th (should be complete).
This software has met some resistance from corporate America as it could decrease the need for Anti-Virus software and allow new secure access to the internet which is not currently available. It puts a end to the need of firewall software or hardware.
Please check out our software at our temporary site at http://www.texomasales.com/stealthlogon (http://\"http://www.texomasales.com/stealthlogon\")
Our offical website should be up and running in a few days at http://www.StealthLogon.com (http://\"http://www.StealthLogon.com\")
If you have any questions you can contact me at [email protected] or (580) 795-2262.
We appreciate all who spread the word about our new product to help make the Internet a safer place for all.
Thanks,
Bob Cooper
Post by: Fox on February 19, 2003, 11:14:08 AM
can be found (reorganised) here :
http://severinterrier.free.fr/Boot/WindowsCD.htm (http://\"http://severinterrier.free.fr/Boot/WindowsCD.htm\") (in french)
If it can help someone speaking (and reading) french...
I\'ve been able to make a bootable CD of Windows 95 B, that just doesn\'t show icones correctly (don\'t understand why) but i\'ve got problems making a Win98 SE bootable CD...
Hope this helps...
Post by: noLIFEr on March 04, 2003, 12:27:25 AM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' /> Thx in advance..
Post by: Anonymous on March 06, 2003, 07:02:46 AM
The process sounds a bit C-ish, but anyway.
Post by: Anonymous on March 07, 2003, 10:42:26 PM
Create an installation of Windows on the C: drive using a SUBST command (i.e. SUBST X: C:) which will cause the registry to report everythin on the X: drive. Once the system is setup to your liking use WinRAR to make a ZIP file of the PROGRAM FOLDERS and WINDOWS directory. Create a bootable CD assigning a RAMDISK in Autoexec.bat with XMSDISK and place whatever other programs you want on the CD - but not part of the OS. Use LFNUNZIP.exe (long file name unzip) to place the whole OS in the RAMDISK. If you are restricted on memory as I am (128mb) then be sure to establish a swapfile outside of the C: directory, so the OS can use the HD as swap when the RAMDISK is running. This works great for Windows 95, but Windows 98 will not let me have long file names in a RAMDISK while the OS is running on a RAMDISK, but the OS works, just has truncated names (i.e Progra~1). It might be because of the LFNUNZIP feature of renaming the files, when just unzipping may work - I will try PKUNZIP for 98 and see if different. It seems easier to just place the whole OS on a RAMDISK than try and seperate it out.
Post by: Anonymous on March 08, 2003, 10:40:52 AM
Post by: Anonymous on March 08, 2003, 07:35:30 PM
I must add this however - Only 95 original retail seems to support long file names in RAMDISK. From what I gather there was a program concerning running 95 on a network server and 95 original retail seems to support this.
My version of 95 is an OEM from Packard Bell which I obtained when I bought a 75Mhz System many moons ago. As I understand this is the original retail version (without any letter designations) and has built-in Virtual Drive support over a network.
Post by: Syscom on March 22, 2003, 01:29:15 PM
It has to write to the boot disk during the boot process. When it can\'t write the boot fails.
Post by: The_Flames on March 22, 2003, 07:04:05 PM
they said that was impossable, and that article leads here for win 9x an Article on reducing 9x installed sizes this is intresting, and removing the extra rubbish may help make the cd more stable and easier to run
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />
Post by: Burner on March 24, 2003, 09:23:15 AM
Post by: Anonymous on March 26, 2003, 03:00:53 PM
Good luck.
Post by: The_Flames on March 27, 2003, 03:35:32 PM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />
Post by: Anonymous on March 28, 2003, 10:39:23 AM
I have the oportunity of try WinPE, and i am very pleased what we can do with it..
(sorry about my english)...
Post by: Anonymous on April 02, 2003, 07:03:00 PM
Post by: The_Flames on April 02, 2003, 08:07:14 PM
but is a linux system a windows system ???? I dont think so
/tongue.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':P\' />
Post by: farclick on April 24, 2003, 03:10:33 PM
Please help me on this topic.
Code: [Select]
http://www.thetechguide.com/forum/index.php?act=ST&f=2&t=9285Thanks
/farclick
Post by: farclick on April 27, 2003, 10:44:16 AM
A CDR that can run 32bit apps in a GUI MODE has possibilies. Some apps could not be used or ran from a dos boot disk. WinPE or ERD are good, but to run a true OS with various apps from a CDR, is the way to go.
I will be still working on this idea. I want to make a CDR with various 32bit tools that will run from a CDR.
Help is always needed,
Thanks
/farclick
Post by: Andy on April 30, 2003, 11:07:06 AM
also would it be possible to boot from a floppy to load basic DOS and device drivers etc and then boot windows from a cd? is this feasable?
i'm kind of a newb when it comes to bootable CDs but i know a lot about DOS, win 95, 98 and ME and how they boot. does anyone know if a bootable Windows XP DVD-R is at all possible (seeing as basic XP takes up almost 1GB i think)?
Post by: The_Flames on May 01, 2003, 02:20:34 AM
A CDR that can run 32bit apps in a GUI MODE has possibilies. Some apps could not be used or ran from a dos boot disk. WinPE or ERD are good, but to run a true OS with various apps from a CDR, is the way to go.
I will be still working on this idea. I want to make a CDR with various 32bit tools that will run from a CDR.
Help is always needed,
Thanks
/farclick[/quote]
how did you suceed at stopping windows detecting new hardware???
Post by: Guest on May 17, 2003, 01:35:41 PM
Post by: Semios on May 18, 2003, 05:41:13 PM
Right now I've limit my cd image to around 49 MB, so when I cut it it fits right next to my maxed out Visa Card. It loads windows on any computer with 128+ MB ram, supports creative audio cards and NVidia and later ATI vid cards ( it seems to support a whole lot of net cards too). I've got divx support in winamp . Opera 7 web browser and email client, a nice hex editor, reg shot, data rescue (a fabulous low level undelete tool which someone now makes you pay for - I've got the last free verison here), partition magic 5, grisoft antivirus, Miranda IM (Gnu messenger that hooks into all the major services), explore2fs, NTFS (winternals program to read/write ntfs on win98), a freeware zip tool, ezdrive, and a paint program, and the last free version of Haim's net meter.
As it turns out, that c't magazine article was mostly right; there were still some conflicts with things they didn't even mention. The little idea about not lighting up the a:\ drive LED is dead wrong, there is a major conflict between windows drivers and the El Torito spec. I had trouble with that until I found a little work around.
as of now, I've got 0, that's right zero error messages. I could still make it better if I had a little help from someone who knows a little assembly language - right now I'm running HD access in real mode but with the right assembly call I can allow protected mode - just need someone who can help me figure out a couple lines of code.
I would consider putting the image out there but someone needs to host it (I don't want the potential bottleneck that I would have on my dsl server here) and whoever downloads it is doing it at their own risk. It is not hard to modify the installation and like someone already said there are ways of avoiding hardware detection, running 16 color 640*480 video with decent fonts, etc. That will also save you 10+MB on the image - which means you can make a really small business card out of that.
I know that it would be pretty easy to make a full sized cd that would work on a system with less memory - maybe 64 or even 32 with some work, but I'm not terribly interested in that for the present time. I just had a little peek at the registry and I think we could really make that _fly_ though - doing something like what that c't article said but more elaborate, while avoiding stupid disk full messages. maybe I'll work on that in august when I've got some vacation time :>
Let me know what you think and if someone knows about assembly, please post a message here - we need to talk.
I think I may write a tutorial about this sometime soon, also, so keep your ears peeled.
Semios
Post by: The_Flames on May 18, 2003, 07:49:46 PM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />
Post by: Semios on May 27, 2003, 10:07:59 AM
well, I'm working pretty hard on the tutorial now. I imagine there will be about 10 web pages or so. I'll tell you exactly what you need and pretty precisely how to do it.
I'm also working right now on a way to run it off the cd on computers with less memory - the main project is of course the credit card cd that runs Windows - you'll need at least from 64 to 128 MB of Ram to run it. The hybrid method I'm working on right now will be able to run on less RAM - I'm not sure how much yet. Windows is kinda picky about where and when it needs write access.
By the way, those of you who follow here, when I get the tutorial finished, I would like some help inserting the thing in the major search motors - anyone know how to do that, or anyone who would help by doing it?
I'm not sure when i'm going to be done, but hopefully it'll be within the next 2-3 weeks. I would finish sooner, but my job is a bit unordinary and I have little free time right now.
lates,
Semios
Post by: tox on May 30, 2003, 10:17:20 PM
just a thought.
Post by: Semios on June 02, 2003, 04:21:45 PM
Just an update. I made a somewhat workeable hybrid cd - it contained most all of what would normally be in your windows\system folder on the cd, and the image was still around only about 80 MB. Conclusion: after lots of work, just don't do it. It does save memory, but it is really really slow. I don't recall having any error messages at all; it wasn't a useless cd, but it wasn't very fruitful and it was alot of trouble. I would suggest everyone abbandon the idea - even a fast cd access is alot slower than HD access, and a WHOLE lot slower than ram access. consider that your drivers are whats in the system folder, and nothing is ever going to be faster than the drivers, so using them on the cd makes sure that the whole system is bogged down considerably.
food for thought.
Semios
Post by: Semios on July 02, 2003, 10:03:37 AM
Windows on Cd Project (http://\"http://www.lachiesadicristo.it/w98cd/default.htm\")
This is the tutorial: all 16 pages of it. Have fun
Post by: Jazkal2 on July 02, 2003, 11:24:28 AM
I created a PDF from your web pages, (just for my personal use) would you like me to send it to you? (it's only 83k in size)
Thanks again for the good work.
Post by: Semios on July 02, 2003, 06:22:34 PM
I'm gonna pass on your pdf right now, although I really admire that file size! it's tiny! the orignal word doc was lots bigger than that. I may take you up in it later, but now I'm just happy to have the pages up and people visiting them. I think I sweated the tutorial more than making this system work.
lates,
Semios
Post by: scalar on July 05, 2003, 01:36:43 AM
I am a rather evil person, in that I've migrated Win 95/98/Me hard drives from one machine to the next using a really scary approach:
1. Boot old computer into Safe Mode.
2. Open Device Manager, and start deleting EVERYTHING!
3. Delete all ports, devices, system resources, etc etc. You want that puppy blank.
4. Remove hard drive, put in new/different PC, power up.
When Windows comes alive on the new system, it will look really plain.. 640x480, 16 colors. In fact, in this state, plug 'n play is itself NOT INSTALLED so it can't and won't do plug 'n play detection.
Next step, reinstall plug 'n play. You can do this simply by going to Add New Hardware and detecting any devices. Along the way it'll find some various items plus a weird Plug 'n Play component. Once this installs, Windows will suddenly go mad redetecting drivers, possibly even before you can reboot after this initial detection.
Driver reinstallation is a long process, involving many reboots. If it prompts for a driver search, just keep hitting next next, don't look at CD/floppy/etc, finish. In the end it may have duplicate keyboards and duplicate floppy controllers, which can be removed once it's settled down after ten or so reboots.
Now you can carry on with your old programs, games, documents, etc, but on an 1800mHz system rather than the old 600mhz system.
When creating a CD, if you delete every device, and do NOT reinstall the plug 'n play component, it may run just fine off the CD with no devices whatsoever listed in the device manager. This Windows, with a castrated form of Plug 'n Play may work just fine on many different PC types, without trying to detect and install any new/unknown devices in the various PCs.
If you want, you could Add New hardware, but don't do plug 'n play and only install generic drivers yourself. This way you can pick a generic VGA display driver, a generic network card driver, etc.
Post by: Semios on July 08, 2003, 12:54:08 AM
1) Generic vga means 640*480 at 16 colors. its ugly as hell but funcitonal if you use Tahoma font at 6-8 points. it is functional, but not pretty. this, of course, defeats one of the reasons what I attempted this thing in the first place: make somethign like knoppix that isn't as ugly.
2) There are no generic modem or net drivers that work well with differing systems. Network card drivers are all pretty specific; there are a few modem drivers that work well with different cards, but you're playing russian roulette like that.
Scalar's way of changing system's isn't bad. Its easier to do it from the registry though - just delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Enum , as wellas ControlSet001 and ControlSet002. ALternatively, RegCleanr offers a hardware reset switch which automatically does this for you. normall, though, it will boot you into hardware detection on the next boot.
GOtta run,
Semios
Post by: khalidnet2002 on July 22, 2003, 05:58:04 PM
Windows on Cd Project (http://\"http://www.lachiesadicristo.it/w98cd/default.htm\")
This is the tutorial: all 16 pages of it. Have fun[/quote]
good job.
thanx a lot for ur great effort.
Post by: Hard disk emulation? on July 23, 2003, 06:28:33 PM
Post by: Semios on July 25, 2003, 06:04:08 PM
The closest thing to what you are referring to would be a drivespaced windows installation. you _can_ technically do this - I know you can pull it off with 95, but I don't know about 98. Basically what you do is set up a drivespaced HD, install everything, make a floppy that loads up drivespace and doublespace, loads cd drivers and then uses the compressed image that you slyly copied onto your cd. it turns out that its a pretty easy approach - lots easier than my way, but the incompatabilities with Windows98 somewhat limit you. I won't explain much more about how to set this kind of cd up, but you can find info on it on google.
its late and I gotta run.
regards,
Semios
Post by: Hard disk emulation? on July 27, 2003, 08:51:42 AM
Post by: simplico on July 29, 2003, 07:44:43 AM
Post by: weisskater on July 29, 2003, 10:56:14 AM
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' /> thanks everybody[/color][/font]
Post by: Semios on July 31, 2003, 02:02:13 AM
and yes, you can take out the cd. I once made a verison that ran partially from the ramdisk and part from the cd - it was more space efficient but it was like running windows98 on an 386 at 2 mhz!
lates,
SEmios
Post by: khalidnet2002 on August 06, 2003, 11:28:27 PM
u wrote:
Code: [Select]
Run coa2to change address of:
1. windows directory – change from d:\windows (or wherever you put it) to x:\windows
2. Program files directory – change from d:\Program Files (or whever you put it) to x:\program files
Be CAREFUL when you do this; you can’t merely substitute X: for C: because COA2 would substitute all the shortcuts on your main OS and they would cease to function. This is major trouble. If you have gotten to this point but cannot substitute without botching up other OS shortcuts, reinstall in different directories. It’s worth the trouble of not frying the other OS.but my hard drive letters do not have X letter.
and COA2 needs to see a partition with the X letter.
what can i do?
Post by: Semios on August 10, 2003, 12:38:25 AM
command\xmsdsk 392000 x: /y /t /c2
the size doesnt matter. then make the directories on it:
md x:\windows
doslfn
md x:\program files
coa2 will then see the drive and the directories and should give no problems.
hope it helps,
Semios
Post by: WMECD on August 10, 2003, 03:55:52 PM
I just complete my windows installation and it works flawlessly, even with 32 bit access! I used Windows Millenium and a small utility callen WINMEDOS which allows ME users to boot into DOS.
Since I wont be using hard drives while using this ME version on CD (well I will use them but via network hehe), I didn't bother changing the install dir from C to X. Windows ME's IO.sys is different from Windows 98. So my ram drive is C: and that saves a lot of steps.
By not renaming esdi_506.pdr, I had some big problems at first. Windows would lock up when I accessed the A drive (via windows explorer or with NERO's interface). But I disabled the A drive with Tweak UI and just before loading windows the last command is ettool -t. It gives me a read access error but I just hit A for abort then windows loads and works flawlessly! Any tips on how I could enter that 'a' in my batch file?
Also I used a combination of zip and lzop for compression. LZOP is the fastest decompressor available, see for yourself @ www.compression.ca. Great gain of speed over zip for extraction. I use zip also because I dont know how to compress a directory structure using lzop.
Hurray to CD burning after booting from CD haha!
Hey Semios, do you accept PayPal donations ?
Post by: WMECD on August 10, 2003, 03:58:29 PM
Post by: Semios on August 10, 2003, 05:24:50 PM
I just finished burning a cd that I'm pretty proud of too. I have to go work on some computers next week, so I have a cd which (among being able to install windows 95, 98 and 98se in english and italian) will let me choose to boot 3 different systems.
1) 110MB ramdisk, accessing my programs on the cd instead of from the ramdisk, which has lots of freespace.
2) 110 MB ramdisk, with the programs on the ramdisk also, so its fast and still has around 30 mb free
3) a minimal RAM system - I've gotten my windows folder reduced down to, get this, 55 MB!! so I have a 58 MB ram disk and access the program files on the cd.
Here's some hints: if you're making something like a PE system, that is used for maintanence, pre-installs and similar things, you can probably rip out both network support and multimedia support. Network support isn't just what you get out from the add-remove applet of course: there are more than 20MB of files. Multimedia support is likewise - around 20 MB that you mostly don't need. I can make up a list of these files later if anyones interested.
Another trick not in the tutorial: if you have lots of programs which access mscvrt.dll and a few of those similar dll's that prog's isntall in their own directories, install the programs into the same directory. it saves lots of space and redundancy.
I just checked and I actually have an active and useful paypal account. its at [email protected]. I'm a missionary, so I ALWAYS accept donations.
how about some feedback: I was thinking of trying to come up with a system that would work like PEbuilder (which Microsoft so nastily forced to be removed) and use your installation to build a base system maintenance iso. Does anyone think this would be useful? any desire to help out? I think virtual basic could do the trick, but I haven't programed in more than 10 years now. I'm not making any promises, its just an idea I had. what do you folks think?
Post by: WMECD on August 10, 2003, 09:07:08 PM
Maybe ettool works for me maybe because of Millenium's system files wich are different from windows 98.
I used Nero to burn my bootable CD. I got a neat trick for "installing NERO". Execute Nero's setup, then when the setup screen appears all its needed files will be extracted in a temporary folder. Hunt down that directory and there you will find a directory named Nero. Just copy that directory into your program files and that is it, Nero is installed and working. No need for useless registry entries!
How did you reduce your windows installation that far? I used 98lite, not micro, and my windows is a fat 175 megs decompressed. Any tips or list of useless files?
Also do you have any tips on that win386.swp swap file ? I can't stand seeing it jump suddenly from 15 megs to 65 megs then up and down again when I load small 3 meg programs...
Post by: vtnamus on August 10, 2003, 09:25:22 PM
The Win-Boot CDs are really useful for us to take control and make maintenance on Computer System. Especially, when the System is infected spy programs or cracked down, my God, we really need "these Tools".
But I only need the ISO files of your created CDs
/biggrin.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':D\' /> .My system runs on Windows XP and I have not got Win98 Installation Disk. I am sure many people around are like me, only need those ISO files to create their own CDs simply.
So, for the God sake, let upload your ISO files. Plsssssss!!
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' /> [/color]
Post by: The_Flames on August 10, 2003, 10:34:08 PM
Semios, an ISO builder would be great.
oh BTW Ive seen a win95 under 10 Mb page recently, could this be of use to you?
if it could, let me know and I'll hunt it down again and post the url
Post by: Semios on August 21, 2003, 03:47:42 AM
1. rename sysdm.cpl sys.cpl
2. delete cfgmgr32.dll
3. delete all contents of windows/inf folder
4. delete all subkeys in hklm\system\currentcontrolset\enum
I'm working on my last iso right now - it's asystem maintenance cd with a boot menu with these options:
1. run with program files on cd - requires only a 48MB ramdisk (that's right, windows directory is down to less than 500 files and 43MB)
2. run with program files on hd - 60 mb ramdisk
3.program files on hd with 110 mb ramdisk
4.program files on hd with 220 mb ramdisk
plus,
4 more options like the above, only 5 mb larger ramdisk for each and with ntfs98
I think that after a while I'm going to publish my file list and my registry as a text file, if not a batch file that would set the whole thing up for you.
lates,
Semios
Post by: Semios on August 21, 2003, 01:23:35 PM
that reg key is not hklm\system\currentcontrolset\enum but instead hklm\enum
(got mixed up between xp and 98)
and don't delete ALL the files in the inf directory - you need to leave the apps and applets files.
and if you want ntfs98 to work:
you need to not delete cfgmgr32.dll, but do rename sysdm.cpl
leave machine*.pnf, mshdc.* swenum.pnf and I would leave setup.pnf and layout*.pnf too.
ntfs98 needs the ide controllers to work properly in order to work.
by the way, win386.swp - set it in system fron control panel, and the far left tab - or else edit the system.ini file (under [386enh]. should look something like this:
PagingDrive=X:
MinPagingFileSize=5120
MaxPagingFileSize=5120
I am recently setting it up on c: - from past experience I believe that if you don't have a c, windows will try to put it on the next available drive - but that's a supposition.
gotta run,
Semios
Post by: paulpma on September 02, 2003, 10:04:32 PM
Guys, you are discussing great subjects, but I need your help, i am kinda new to bootdisk, but know computers 4 a while.
I need help to find or build cd boot disk which will support 32-bit mode. Cause there is come programs that will not run like xxcopy.
Please help me.
In return I can send your Read/write NTFS program that is great for boot disks.
Thank you.
Post by: Guest_Pete on September 07, 2003, 05:14:47 AM
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ (http://\"http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/\")
Post by: Guest_sobac on September 07, 2003, 08:23:40 PM
You probably do not need a Win9x CD anyway, though one would be amusing to play with. Between multiboot, WinPE, ERD Commander, NTFSDOS, Linux, DOS, Windows 3.1 (it can run from CD) and FreeDOS bootables you can access and fix most computers.
WinPE bootable CDs (via newly Microsoft-tolerated PE Builder or the official OPK CD, which is cheap via pricewatch.com) kick ass. Unfortunately many discussions containing useful data on the ADDITION of tools and other operating systems to these CDs are also on boards whose links sometimes violate the posting guidelines here.
Search engines and usenet are your friends if you want the data, and the term "khauyeung" will reveal lots of worthwhile info.
Post by: Semios on September 12, 2003, 05:33:57 PM
Its pretty easy to use bart's pe builder and dload it now b4 it disappears again. IT won't run _EVERYTHING_ though!
get it here: http://www.nu2.nu/nu2files/pebuilder3010.zip (http://\"http://www.nu2.nu/nu2files/pebuilder3010.zip\")
Use the instructions here http://members.rogers.com/khauyeung/WinPE_..._Plus_Howto.txt (http://\"http://members.rogers.com/khauyeung/WinPE_Plus_Howto.txt\")
to load a ramdisk (Ignore ramdrv.sys entries though).
Get the ramdisk driver here: http://home.tiscali.be/tisc1234/RAMDisk/RAMDisk.exe (http://\"http://home.tiscali.be/tisc1234/RAMDisk/RAMDisk.exe\")
I put all my progs on the ramdisk, that way the cd isn't spinning all the time. I also use a43 file manager with this, as well as AntiVir PE, 7-zip and partition magic 7 - plus some other stuff. great little tool - although it won't do all that my windows98cd will do!!!
/smile.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':)\' />hope it helps someone.
oh, and by the way - anyone here got the experience to finish up my batch file that will set up a win98cd? it's almost done but I'm tired of messing with it - the process is similar to bart's but a little simpler and less options. if you interested, post.
Post by: khalidnet2002 on October 04, 2003, 02:26:10 PM
can u post a simple 123...steps instead of ur complete tutorial.
in fact i got every requirements u mentioned but the tutorial become somewhat difficult to me at the last steps.
can u kindly summarize ur method in simpler way.
thanx in advance.
Post by: doo-doo on October 06, 2003, 08:56:31 PM
Doo-doo
Post by: khalidnet2002 on October 06, 2003, 09:23:55 PM
can u post a simple 123...steps instead of ur complete tutorial.
in fact i got every requirements u mentioned but the tutorial become somewhat difficult to me at the last steps.
can u kindly summarize ur method in simpler way.
thanx in advance. [/quote]
answer please.
Post by: Bug0049 on October 14, 2003, 03:06:40 PM
Post by: SteveB on October 16, 2003, 11:42:46 AM
Most interesting - I've already done much the same for my diskless nodes (see http://www.nelliott.demon.co.uk/distribute...less/index.html (http://\"http://www.nelliott.demon.co.uk/distributed/windows_diskless/index.html\") ) running SETI - and would now like to do the same with a USB Drive (is there a more appropraite topic ?)
Post by: LP on October 17, 2003, 08:12:26 AM
I installed the program, ran it, and got to the last step where it says it is going to build the ISO image. After I put in the path where I want the image, it then attempts to build the image but then there is an error.
The error seems to deal with the ntdll.dll file - really not much info about the error itself. The program did create all the files/directories that are to be included in this image, and the file ntdll is there under \I386\System32.
Thanks in advance.
Post by: Evilvoice on October 17, 2003, 09:13:45 AM
Post by: CR on November 18, 2003, 02:49:28 PM
I installed the program, ran it, and got to the last step where it says it is going to build the ISO image. After I put in the path where I want the image, it then attempts to build the image but then there is an error.
The error seems to deal with the ntdll.dll file - really not much info about the error itself. The program did create all the files/directories that are to be included in this image, and the file ntdll is there under \I386\System32.
Thanks in advance.[/quote]
Never had that problem with erd2002 - I would try going to the directory where ERD 2003 tells you the temporary files have been created BEFORE it attempts to make the ISO file. Then use an ISO tool (Ultra Iso is my fav) to make the ISO image and burn it to CD. Good luck.
/tongue.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':P\' />
Post by: Guest on November 18, 2003, 02:52:10 PM
Never had that problem with erd2002 - I would try going to the directory where ERD **2002** tells you the temporary files have been created BEFORE it attempts to make the ISO file. Then use an ISO tool (Ultra Iso is my fav) to make the ISO image and burn it to CD. Good luck.
/tongue.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':P\' />
Post by: momoaal on November 25, 2003, 01:17:23 AM
i downlaoded it .. about 69 mb!! a cracked version !!
and it it's really great ..... it made the cd in minutes ! very amazing ...
But ,, i have a little problme ...... !
after i burned the .iso image on a RW-CD ... i tried it ..
it boots fine ... but , it asks for some [color=\"red\"]Activation Key [/color]!!
any one knows any key that works with it !!
and ...
do i have to enter it every time i run the CD !???
thanks
/sad.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':(\' />
Post by: jobu on November 26, 2003, 09:57:48 PM
/ohmy.gif\' class=\'bbc_emoticon\' alt=\':o\' /> 1) where did you get this from
2) if you got this from ttdown.... it is missing the SSG crack which properly pathes logon.exe in the temp iso file
3) this particular app is rather tricky to get patched. (it took me 3 tries with the right schtuff)
get the SSG crack.... with the ttdown dl of this.... and follow the instructions (all) very carefully
I have this working (No activation asked for).... but I have only tested on my machine.....
good luck
Post by: momoaal on November 27, 2003, 05:23:44 AM
but . , i don't really know what u r talking abut ! , what is ttdown....??
and what is SSG crack ??
are those sites or what ..... !?
i got my version from kazaA or imesh ! i don't remember ......!
but it's a full version !
(Erd.Commander.2003.(Cracked.By.Gammapooka.-.No.License.Key.Needed))
this is what they said !!!
can u plz tell me more details ! how to fix my current version !!
or ! do i have to download another version ?? from where ??
more details plz ....
Thanks ..
Post by: Flounder on November 29, 2003, 09:08:24 PM
"http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/"
Post by: Eli on December 09, 2003, 02:34:26 PM
I jsu t got an old tablet pc, with no CD or Floppy.
Ofcourse no OS on the hard disk. It does have a USB slot, PCMCIA slot and parrellel/serial port. The bios is old, 1999 and I dont think it supports USB BOOT.
Can anyone one tell me how I boot the system so I can format the HD and install an OS on it??
Thanks in advance
Eli
Post by: Guest on December 16, 2003, 10:44:02 AM
Post by: Scollinguk on December 27, 2003, 09:23:11 AM
Post by: eminem_rh25 on March 17, 2004, 11:39:19 AM
Post by: Guest_mark on March 17, 2004, 05:45:51 PM
http://nu2.nu (http://\"http://nu2.nu\")
for a self-booting (not install) CD with XP\2003. Great troubleshooting tool.
Post by: Guest on April 13, 2004, 12:34:16 AM
Post by: sybesma on February 16, 2005, 10:30:52 AM
I cannot find 98LITE22.ZIP anywhere on the internet.
The site is gone and the link doesn't work anymore
( http://www.tweakpc.com/Download_files/98lite22.zip (http://\"http://www.tweakpc.com/Download_files/98lite22.zip\") )
Even web.archive.org lets you get to the site, but the file isn't there.
Hope you can e-mail it to me: steve AT prolynx DOT com
Thanks,
Steve
Post by: Roberto Di Carlos on March 03, 2005, 10:48:40 AM
What can be the problem? To much memory (1,5 Gb)?
[post=\"5624\"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]
[/quote]Indeed.. 1,5 is too much for DOS. 512 should not be a problem.
If you try to make a boot disk (CD)(FLOPPY) look at http://www.nu2.nu/modboot (http://\"http://www.nu2.nu/modboot\") on this site you can find out to make a boot disk.
Even if you want to use firewire. USB or any other devices not compatible with DOS.
Greetz Roberto Di Carlos
Post by: Guest on July 27, 2005, 01:14:33 PM
Maybe shipping could be used like putting it on a regular cd.
Save a buck or 3