To all

I'm in the process of creating an *iso* file that will create a bootable optical disc that boots to basic DOS, and has many of the *favorite* troubleshooting DOS utilities on it that we have worked with and recommended to others in their efforts to resolve a partitioning and/or Ghosting issues.

Many visitors here have lamented the lack of a bootable optical disk for their systems that do not have floppy drives--and floppy disks have obvious size limitations!

I'm going to try to make it a menu of choices regarding what drivers to load for a given DOS session, and for at least the more popular programs--have menu choices to load those programs.

I will create a *How to* guide on modifying the *iso* file to customize it to the liking of an individual--and how to add retail commercial programs that require that a person have an individual license to use--such as DOS Ghost and DOS PartitionMagic.

So the basic download will have many *freeware* utilities, and the individual can add any of their licenced programs.

So, I'm asking for input from forum members as to what they would like to have on that disc!

I will start off listing some of the basics:

• MS-DOS Boot Files to load basic DOS
  
  
  • Options to boot with various DOS memory managers like *himem.sys* and *emm386.exe*
  
  
  • Optical IDE DOS driver (i.e. oakcdrom.sys)
  
  
  • Optical SATA DOS driver (i.e. GCDROM.SYS)
  
  
  • Panasonic USB DOS driver programs
  
  
  • Ghost Sub-directory (Individual has to add their licensed copy of *ghost.exe*)
  
  
  • PartitionMagic Sub-directory (Individual has to add their licensed copy of DOS PartitionMagic)
  
  
  • MBRWizard
  
  
  • ScreenThief (DOS Screen Shot Capture program)
  
  
  • FDisk
  
  
  • GDisk (Individual has to add their licensed copy of *gdisk.exe*)

I know there are some other programs--but that's a start--so if you have a favorite that you think should be included--post your list--it helps to have a link to the website for downloading and reviewing the information on how to use a given program, etc.

And, if you can think of any special DOS configurations that may be needed for special circumstances or DOS programs--post them for review!

Also, some of the above DOS programs have Windows based equivalents--I will probably also include those along with the DOS programs--as a resource so one does not have to go looking for those programs as well!

Pleonasm

Well...technically, you may have a point, but all the MS-DOS files will come from the various boot disks hosted on *bootdisk.com*--so if Microsoft isn't shutting that site down, my small effort will pale compared to that site!  And, Rad has been hosting the WinME boot disk and Fdisk programs on his download page--I've not heard any rumblings about that.  Are you aware that MS is cracking down on websites that use MS-DOS for boot discs that are available for download?

Quote:

I intended to include the original downloaded file(s), including any *licensing* notices that the author might require--fully plan to give credit where credit is due!  If I find any prohibition to distributing the software--will of course honor that and not include the program--in that case, I will probably include instructions as to how to get the program and inject it into the iso file for burning.

NightOwl's Rad Boot Disc Iso .. very cool.

Absolutamente fabuloso!

I did the Drag n Drop to the script, as outlined in the last post.  It worked 100% to create a CD from an ISO.

I also created a self extracting and burning ISO.  Again Fabulous.

This answers a huge need that I've had to send ISO's worldwide to share some of my "Stuff" with friends.  Especially, those friends who don't have a clue or the software to burn an ISO to a CD.

This place is a virtual Fountain of information. 

Thanks a million,
Shadow 

that is ok Night Owl   but note that that prog is also a compressor so it reduces the file size too .Any way thought I suggest this prog by one of the members here:
..................................................
this is a very good dos tool(1.5 KB small)
MBRSAVER - Master Boot Record Save/Restore, version 3.0
Copyright 1997-2005 by Dan Goodell, all rights reserved.

Syntax:  MBRSAVER /switch [/switch] [filename]
        /S saves MBR and partition table into file.
        /R restores MBR and partition table from file.
        /80 (or /81, /82, /83) specifies disk number.
        Filename defaults to MBRSAVER.BIN if not specified.
Size:1.5 KB
==================================================
I do not know If you noticed but on my windows 98 Boot disk

http://www.postbox.wanadoo.co.uk/benwin98boot.exe

there is a directory called DMI tool
some manufacturerers like Advent, Toshiba and few others
put either a special serial number called UUID or the Manufacturer name and /or Model
on the DMI part of the BIOS.on the Mother Board.
so if you change the Mother board of your computer you will find that the Recovery CD
no longer works saying it is the wrong computer or something like that
this tool gives you a chance to save the DMI String Or UUID to a DMIInfo.txt
file automatically.
then you can save it and write it back AUTo or Manually.using this tool.
..................................................................

DMI String Modifier

Release Note for DMI

Command:
Usage : DMI [/R] [/W] [/F] [/WM] [/WP] [/WV] [/WS] [/WU] [/?:H] [Write data]
[/R] : Read DMI string from BIOS"
[/F] : Read DMI string from BIOS to DMIINFO.TXT file.
[/W] : write DMI string to BIOS follow DMIINFO.TXT.
: If no DMIINFO.TXT file then key in yourself.
[/WM] [Manufacturer string] : write Manufacturer string to BIOS.
[/WP] [Product string] : write Product string to BIOS.
[/WV] [Version string] : write Version string to BIOS.
[/WS] [Serial Number] : write Serial Number to BIOS.
[/WU] [UUID] : write UUID to BIOS(only 32 digital(Hexdecimal) number)
[/?:H] : show usage information
......................................................
regards Ben

Yes that would be nice to have a good and easy to use boot disk that almost everyone could use.

it would be nice if it had support for:
ide optical drives
sata optical drives
usb optical drives
usb harddisk drives
network cards

i just don't know about the memory managers though. is it really significant. i even saw slower restore speeds when i added the himem.sys to my bootdisk, i am not sure if it is caused by himem.sys but it could be so. maybe someone can explain what memory managers do?

Hi Nightowl,

I'm also looking for an update on this. Have you been able to compile the iso - or is there an intended release date?

Thanks Nightowl,

Pablo.