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Re: [ct-user] Running DOS on New Computers - Solved!

To: <ct-user@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [ct-user] Running DOS on New Computers - Solved!
From: "Carl - WC4H" <wc4h@itis.net>
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2005 15:48:57 -0400
List-post: <mailto:ct-user@contesting.com>
I just can't resist asking: Why? Why would I want to devolve from a superior
OS to a Defunct Operating System (DOS). Windows offers way better and
simpler networking while DOS is a bear to network. Additionally, running XP
with FAT32 system rather than NTFS, eliminates the benefits (like security)
offered by NTFS which is one of the big reasons for using it.

Other than DVP I don't' see it.  Also, if you need something like DVP, N1MM
Logger does it with your sound card.

I know that DOS gives some a warm fuzzy feeling but it's really a false
sense.

I'm not trying to be controversial here. I just don't get it. Hams who
usually strive to get the best station they can have with the latest and
greatest equipment, then want to go back 10 years on the O/S used on their
PC.  Call me dumb.

Just MHO.
73
Carl - WC4H 

-----Original Message-----
From: ct-user-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:ct-user-bounces@contesting.com]
On Behalf Of kd4d@comcast.net
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2005 12:48 PM
To: trlog@contesting.com; ct-user@contesting.com
Subject: [ct-user] Running DOS on New Computers - Solved!

Good afternoon, all:
I believe I have solved the problem of running DOS on new computers!  All my
single-op contest efforts are now done using a DOS logging program and most
of them are done using new computers that I also run WindowsXP on.  I am
looking for people to help with refining the procedure and maybe testing
features like FreeDOS, USB sticks, bootable DOS CD's, and ethernet
networking (CT's nettsr), but the basic DOS dual-booting works fine.  When
you turn the computer on, it asks whether you want to run DOS or WindowsXP.
Both run normally.  If you are interested in helping me test any of this,
please let me know.


Running real DOS and real DOS programs on new WindowsXP 
computers is not only possible, it is not very difficult to do and
can be done without buying any software.

All you have to do is shrink the NTFS disk partition containing
WindowsXP a tiny amound (500 MBytes is plenty), add a new
partition to the disk, install DOS, and install a boot loader.

You can do this without affecting the operation of the Windows XP
installation at all and you will never notice that your disk is 500 MBytes
smaller.

This will work on every new computer I am aware of that uses
an NTSF partition for WindowsXP and uses an
IDE disk drive (most non-server platforms).  (It may work on 
RAID drives but is untested).

The same technique should work for any other version of
Windows.  For those, I usually use a commercial package
called "Partition Magic" for resizing the FAT32 partitions.
Partition Magic does not work on the NTFS partitions 
I've tried it on for the last year or so so I quit using it
for NTFS.

I have written up a very detailed procedure for doing this.  It takes
me about 10 minutes, but will take a while the first time.  You
should be comfortable re-booting your computer and know what
a disk partition is (or enlist some help).  All the software is
available for free by downloading it from the web.

The detailed procedure is available at www.k1ea.com/hints
Dual-boot "Real" DOS on Windows XP 

This has been rather thoroughly tested.  I do recommend
backing up your data before doing this.  I would appreciate any
comments or suggestions on the procedure and will be glad
to answer any questions.

I'm still running DOS contest logging programs, and this
technique will allow me to keep doing so on modern computers
for many more years.

73,

Mark, KD4D
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