DR-DOS FIRST VERSION: PREPARE THE DR-DOS MASTER FLOPPY

OK! This is the MAP of the TREASURE!
DR-DOS is freeware for not commercial uses. So you can download it from this very fine site: http://www.8ung.at/dos/download.htm (be careful: file's size is over 6 MB). Put it in a directory and click on dr703.exe (or newer versions if the number changes) and you will obtain the extraction of the compressed files in the same directory: if you can, install DR-DOS in your computer, but if you can't there is no problem to make your DR-DOS floppy disk!

To install the DR-DOS boot files (command.com, ibmbio.com, ibmdos.com) depends from which operating system you are working:
 

DR-DOS	type at the prompt sys a:
MS-DOS	download ftp://ftp.lineo.com/pub/drdos/DR-DOS.703/images/disk01.144, ftp://ftp.lineo.com/pub/drdos/DR-DOS.703/images/diskcopy.com, and type at the prompt diskcopy disk01.144 a:
Linux/Unix	download ftp://ftp.lineo.com/pub/drdos/DR-DOS.703/images/disk01.144, and type at the prompt dd if=disk01.144 of=/dev/fd0
Windows	go in this very fine site: http://www.bootdisk.com/. Click on  DrDOS 7.X or similar. You'll download a file called drdflash.exe. Then click on drdflash.exe.

After the process you'll have a true DR-DOS boot floppy disk with the boot files command.com, ibmbio.com, ibmdos.com, (and other files if you used disk01.144 or drdflash.exe).

One of the boot files created by disk01.144 or drdflash.exe is automatically executed to install DR-DOS to the hard drive in the computer on boot up with this disk. Delete this file called autoexec.bat and the one called config.sys from your new DR-DOS boot disk. Then copy all of the remaining files to a directory on your hard drive to use some of them later. Once you have a copy of all of the remaining DR-DOS files, delete the other files from the floppy. I'll give you the right files after.

Now you have your DR-DOS bootable floppy disk!

Continue this work: go in the directory where you leaved DR-DOS and copy these files into the floppy disk: himem.sys, vdisk.sys, drmouse.com, nwcdex.exe, sys.com, ibmbio.com and ibmdos.com.

You have already copied ibmbio.com and ibmdos.com when you have made the bootable floppy disk, but those files are hidden and not easily usable for the sys.com command. The same files in the DR-DOS directory are visible.
Why this tortuous path? This is because if you are in Windows, Linux, MS-DOS, etcetera, and you try to use some DR-DOS commands, they go in conflict with the commands of the other operating system ;-)

Now you can delete the DR-DOS files from your hard drive or save them in case you would like to use them later.

Find the differences between one of the MS-DOS latest version (not freeware for all the uses...) and DR-DOS latest version (freeware for not commercial uses):
 

If you want, feel free to delete drmouse.com changing it with cutemouse. You can find this fine driver in this webpage: http://cutemouse.sourceforge.net/. Unpack it in Windows and put the driver in your language directly in the DR-DOS floppy.
 

Caldera DR-DOS mouse driver drmouse.com    17.1 KB

Nagy Daniel    mouse driver ctmouse.exe   4.65 KB

Ok, where is the swindle? Effectively, DR-DOS is not 100% compatible with MS-DOS. So, some programs may don't work on DR-DOS (an example is the tree.bat made for MS-DOS: the options in dir %1 /s/ad/b/on are not well read).
Now add the text editor.

In the extracted files there is the DR-DOS Edit, but it is worse than MS-DOS Edit!!! DR-DOS Edit size is over 100 KB, it is poor in functions, and if you try to read (only read) a file from the CD appear the message "Disk error - Disk is physically write protected". So use another freeware editor, small and much better than DR-DOS Edit, starting from 4 KB to above! You can find what you need in this fine page: http://members.home.net/rlgreen2/txted01.htm.

If you want, feel free to delete nwcdex.exe changing it with shsucdx.exe. You can find this fine driver in this webpage: http://www.shsu.edu/~csc_jhm/.
 

Microsoft MS-DOS mscdex.exe    24.8 KB

Caldera DR-DOS nwcdex.exe    21.2 KB

John H. McCoy shsucdx.exe   15.3 KB

Unpack it in Windows and put the driver shsucdx.exe directly in the DR-DOS floppy as it is.
 

For CD driver I use a driver called vide-cdd.sys, capable to work with almost all the IDE CD devices:
 

Acer Peripherals vide-cdd.sys    10.9 KB

You will find this fine program here: ftp://ftp.acercm-eu.com/cd-rom/drivers/apicd214.exe

Unpack the zipped file (full with other files) and put the driver as is in the floppy.

These are the modified autoexec.bat and config.sys to use shsucdx.exe and vide-cdd.sys with DR-DOS:

config.sys:
devicehigh=a:\himem.sys
devicehigh=a:\vdisk.sys 8192 /e
devicehigh= a:\vide-cdd.sys /d:ananas /L:US /P:1F0,14 /P:170,15 /P:1E8,12 /P:168,10

autoexec.bat:
a:\shsucdx.exe /d:ananas,d,,1
a:\ctmouse.exe

And this is the start.bat you'll use to install all the floppy in ramdisk ( copy *.* %1:\) and to move the operating system control from the command.com in the floppy to the command.com copied in ramdisk ( set comspec=%1:\command.com).

start.bat
@echo off
if not "%1"=="" goto start
echo ***** DR-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "VDISK".       ****
echo ***** MS-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "MS-RAMDRIVE". ****
echo ***** Letters before ramdisk: HARD DISKS - After ramdisk: may be CD-ROM ****
vol c:
vol d:
vol e:
vol f:
vol g:
vol h:
echo ****************************************************************************
goto end
:start
copy *.* %1:\
%1:
set comspec=%1:\command.com
set path=%1:\
:end

Use: start [x]
Type start to know the ramdisk letter, and start with the ramdisk letter only (for example: start c) to install the programs in ramdisk.

Ok? Now you have your master DR-DOS floppy!

If you will make another bootable DR-DOS floppy disk you only turn on the computer with the master floppy inside, copy all the floppy in ramdisk, change the master floppy with one clean, and from the ramdisk give the command sys a:. And you'll obtain the bootable floppy disk you desire!!!

Do you want two bootable DR-DOS floppy disks? Change again the floppy with one clean and type again from the ramdisk the command sys a:. And you'll obtain the other bootable DR-DOS floppy disk!!! You can do all the bootable DR-DOS floppy disk you desire!!!
 

HOW TO MAKE A 1.72 MB BOOTABLE DR-DOS FLOPPY DISK

It's easy (if you know how to do it). Download and unzip this very precious brick and put it directly in the Master DR-DOS floppy as it is:
 

FAIZ Superformat2_7.exe  36.1 KB

You will find this fine program here: http://www.geocities.com/disk_operative_system/sformat.zip

1) Reboot the computer with the Master DR-DOS floppy disk and give the command superf~1.exe, change the master floppy with one clean, follow the instruction and you'll obtain a true (not zipped) 1.72 MB floppy disk!!!

2) Give the command sys a: and you'll have your first 1.72 MB DR-DOS bootable floppy disk!!! Your floppy is usable also from Windows, MS-DOS, etcetera... But they can't make bootable a 1.72 MB floppy disk...

Ok. You have finished.
Now I've many, many bootable 1.72 MB DR-DOS floppy disks near the computer, and I hope you too. So we can do many, many experiments!
 

ADD THE BROWSER

Because this first version is also used for the "children challenge professionals" I give you immediately the input for the browser.

Go in this very fine site and download the latest DOS version of the browser arachne: http://arachne.cz/. Put it directly in one of your 1.72 DR-DOS floppy as it is.

Now add the following drivers in the floppy as they are:

Add the following files:

config.sys
dos=high
devicehigh=a:\himem.sys
devicehigh=a:\vdisk.sys 10240 /e
devicehigh=a:\vide-cdd.sys /d:ananas /L:US /P:1F0,14 /P:170,15 /P:1E8,12 /P:168,10

autoexec.bat
@a:\shsucdx.exe /d:ananas,d,,1
@a:\ctmouse.exe

start.bat
@echo off
if not "%1"=="" goto start
echo ***** DR-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "VDISK".        ****
echo ***** MS-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "MS-RAMDRIVE". ****
echo ***** Letters before ramdisk: HARD DISKS - After ramdisk: may be CD-ROM ****
vol c:
vol d:
vol e:
vol f:
vol g:
vol h:
echo ****************************************************************************
goto end
:start
copy *.* %1:\
%1:
set comspec=%1:\command.com
set path=%1:\
archn170.exe
:end

Now start your computer with the floppy inside the drive. Type at the prompt the command start. Find the ramdisk letter and then type the start complete. The installation of the browser will start immediately after the installation of the rest of the floppy. Follow the instructions and be careful at the second question if you have an hard disk in your computer. When you have finished, you'll have a true graphic browser in ramdisk!

And you still have over 500 KB free in your 1.72 MB floppy for your next experiments!!!

After the installation of the browser you can save your internet provider configurations copying a file called arachne.cfg in the floppy. This file is present in the directory \arachne.

I council you to zip the file arachne.cfg because its size is ~4.59 KB (zipped is ~2.46 kb).
This is the secret for a full, complete, well prepared "webfloppy", preconfigured with the telephone number, and the other provider data, plus other things: during the installation arachne don't overwrite the file arachne.cfg.

Make a directory called \arachne. Unzip and put here the arachne.cfg file. Then start with the browser installation and type manually the right path. It's easy.

Follows there is an example of start.bat with this kind of installation.
 

"CHILDREN CHALLENGE PROFESSIONALS" !

For this you'll must use elaborated bricks (the inverse of bricks as they are...). It is not so easy to win against professionals, and you must work a lot.
Make your 1.72 MB DR-DOS bootable floppy disk (read before how to do it) and add the following drivers as they are:

Start from here if you don't know how to do it.

After you need pkzip suite version 2.50. You will find this suite in this fine site: http://www.pkware.com/shareware/pkzip250dos.html. Read well the legals before to use it out of your private. Then take from the pkzip suite a file called pkunzjr.com (2.84 KB) and put it in the floppy as it is.

Go in this very fine site and download the latest DOS version of the browser arachne: http://arachne.cz/. Then zip it using your Windows zip program (or pkzip.exe typing at the DOS prompt:
pkzip  archn170.zip  archn170.exe  exx).

In this way you reduct the arachne size from 988 KB to 972 KB. Put archn170.zip in your 1.72 MB floppy.

Second you need to download a DOS GUI called Desktop2. You will find this GUI in this very fine site: http://wwwisg.cs.uni-magdeburg.de/~fritter/Desktop.html.

Unzip it and delete the directory called Dbd_aico. Then zip the rest of the program and put it with the same name in the floppy. You must delete the Dbd_aico directory (containing only supplemental icons):

• because Desktop2 works well without the supplemental icons too.
• because pkunzjr has an unknown (for me) problem and it refuse to unzip some of them.
• because you have not all the space you desire in your 1.72 floppy...

config.sys
dos=high
switches=/f
devicehigh=a:\himem.sys
devicehigh=a:\vdisk.sys 10240 /e
devicehigh=a:\vide-cdd.sys /d:ananas /L:US /P:1F0,14 /P:170,15 /P:1E8,12 /P:168,10
LASTDRIVE=M

autoexec.bat
@a:\shsucdx.exe /d:ananas,d,,1
@a:\ctmouse.exe

start.bat
@echo off
if not "%1"=="" goto start
echo ***** DR-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "VDISK".        ****
echo ***** MS-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "MS-RAMDRIVE". ****
echo ***** Letters before ramdisk: HARD DISKS - After ramdisk: may be CD-ROM ****
vol c:
vol d:
vol e:
vol f:
vol g:
vol h:
echo ****************************************************************************
goto end
:start
md %1:\dsk2
md %1:\dsk2\temp
md %1:\dsk2\arachne
copy *.* %1:\dsk2
%1:
cd dsk2
set comspec=%1:\dsk2\command.com
set path=%1:\dsk2;%1:\dsk2\arachne
set temp=%1:\dsk2\temp
pkunzjr archn170.zip %1:\dsk2\temp\
pkunzjr desktop2.zip %1:\dsk2\temp\
pkunzjr arachne.zip %1:\dsk2\arachne\
cd temp
rem now this line will install desktop2
install
:end

Please note that pkunzjr needs to have the \ at the end of the last directory or it don't read the last name as directory.
Ok. In this way the operating system runs ONLY inside the directory dsk2, without to change any data in your Pc if you however make an error installing it in an hard disk.
You also can use this "sleeping" operating system in your hard disk calling it with an easy bootable floppy, with this line in the floppy config.sys:

 However, you must don't have a directory called dsk2 in your hard disk...

If you have made all well this will be your floppy:
 

total:  1.740.735 Bytes  (FREE: 1.536 Bytes!!!)

Don't exceed the 1.72 floppy size or the floppy will don't work (and you'll must repeat all the procedure again). This is the only limitation using a bootable 1.72 DR-DOS floppy disk: if you copy a file bigger than the space on the floppy the copy is stopped. But your floppy has now some files corrupted. Please, be patience.

All the space problems in Vdisk between Arachne and Desktop2 are solved if:

• you use a ramdisk of almost 10.240 MB if you don't delete anything
• you use a ramdisk of almost 8.192 MB if you delete all the Desktop installation files from the \temp directory and the zip files in \dsk2

Well. I told all. I think Dan Hildebrand of QNX will be satisfied for this work for the children and the poor of the world (he's dead some years ago): the discovery of a new property of an operating system, the easy path for the assembly of very complex things like a web browser or a GUI, their installation.
And all at the children's level. And all after only 6 easy lessons of around 30 minutes each!

HOW TO FIND OTHER FREE KB
 

Is your floppy at the end of its space? Don't worry! There is a possibility to find other free KB zipping some drivers. Not all the drivers can be zipped, but two or three of them can be loaded after the boot time. Usually you use them in autoexec.bat, but you can zip and use them apart, for example in start.bat!!! shsucdx.exe is one of these driver you can zip and use after the boot time. Simply zip it and put it in the floppy as it is (delete shsucdx.exe...). This is your advantage (or the reward of your work!):

 

You can do it with the other .com .exe drivers, but be careful if you use one of these before to use start.bat. Because config.sys is equal to the precedent, I'll give you only the corrected autoexec.bat and start.bat:

autoexec.bat
@a:\ctmouse.exe
@echo Your CD will be activated with start, during the floppy installation in ramdisk.

start.bat
@echo off
if not "%1"=="" goto start
echo ***** DR-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "VDISK".       ****
echo ***** MS-DOS: type the drive letter of the volume called "MS-RAMDRIVE". ****
echo ***** Letters before ramdisk: HARD DISKS - After ramdisk: may be CD-ROM ****
vol c:
vol d:
vol e:
vol f:
vol g:
vol h:
echo ****************************************************************************
goto end
:start
md %1:\dsk2
md %1:\dsk2\temp
copy *.* %1:\dsk2
%1:
cd dsk2
set comspec=%1:\dsk2\command.com
set path=%1:\dsk2;%1:\dsk2\arachne
set temp=%1:\dsk2\temp
pkunzjr shsucdx.zip
shsucdx.exe /d:ananas,d,,1
pkunzjr archn170.zip %1:\dsk2\temp\
pkunzjr desktop2.zip %1:\dsk2\temp\
pkunzjr arachne.zip %1:\dsk2\arachne\
cd temp
rem now this line will install desktop2
install
:end
 

HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE SPACE

Computers memorize data in packages: every disk is divided in parts of equal numbers of bytes called CLUSTERS. Your 1.72 MB floppy disk uses 512 bytes cluster. When you save an autoexec.bat of 575 bytes the computer put the first 512 bytes in a cluster, and the following 63 bytes in the second cluster. The next program don't start at the end of the second cluster, but at a new cluster. So a computer squanders its memory in a torrent of unused (or misused) not empty cluster. Sorry.
To use better this unused space, fill the file to arrive at the end of the cluster. The free space described by the command dir will remain equal (it change only if you use or delete an entire cluster), but you will have more data for your work.
And now a practical experience. Change this:

autoexec.bat
@a:\ctmouse.exe
@echo Your CD will be activated with start, during the floppy installation in ramdisk.

to give a bit of professionalism at your DOS screen. It's easy. Load two files: files are ansi.com (replacement) http://simtel.mirror.stop.hu/msdos/desqview/dnansi.zip , and the tempus1 batch suite http://members.aol.com/sfreckles/mdrnrock2/sounds/tempus1.zip. Unzip dnansi.zip and put the file ansi.com directly in the floppy as it is.
 

MICROSOFT Win95 MS-DOS 7.10 ansi.sys     9.50 KB

David Nugent ansi.com    1.80KB

Then unzip tempus1.zip and choose the batch file you like from the Nicholas Metcalfe batch suite and put it directly in autoexec bat (with the ansi.com driver...). This is only an example on how to do it:

autoexec.bat
@a:\ansi.com
@a:\ctmouse.exe
@echo Your CD will be activated with start, during the floppy installation in ramdisk.
@echo Tempus by Nicholas Metcalfe
@PROMPT $E[1;37;42m$E[s$E[H$E[K  Windows 95  $P$E[0;60H$T$h$h$h$h$h$h  $D$E[u$E[0;37;40m$P$E[0;32;40m$E[0;37;40m

When you have finished, turn off and turn on your computer, and see your new professional look... And remember that your autoexec.bat still have other FREE space!
If you don't like a professional screen and you like a joke screen go here and download bart.zip a very fine batch file that you can find here:
http://simtel.mirror.stop.hu/msdos/sysutl/bart.zip. Once it is unzipped, type bart.bat, or copy bart.bat into your autoexec.bat, or change your autoexec.bat in this way:

autoexec.bat
@a:\ansi.com
@a:\ctmouse.exe
@echo Bart Simpson, by Unknown Author
PROMPT=$e[1;33m3\/\/\/3$_3$e[6C3 _3   $e[;5;36m0 0$e[;1;33m)$_C$e[6C_)$_ 3 $e[;31m,__$e[1;33m3 Hey, dude!$_ 3   / $e[m$P$G

Remember that the PROMPT variable MUST BE A LINE ONLY. DON'T cut it in two separate lines or the prompt will be damaged!

HOMEWORK FOR EXPERTS: try to add the Bart effect at the professional effect seen before, try to enlarge the screen using only ansi.com (like with the command: mode con cols=80 lines=50), try to design Flowers instead of the Bart effect :-)
 

HOW TO OPTIMIZE THE SPACE: ONLY FOR THE CHALLENGE CHILDREN AGAINST PROFESSIONALS

It seems strange, but in particular conditions himem.sys is not necessary, and your home-work children against professionals is one of this particular conditions. Infact Desktop2 and Arachne can work without himem.sys.
If you are novice don't try a thing like delete himem.sys if you are not sure of your work!
When you start the arachne installation you must reply at three question:
1) Yes
2) No
3) ramdisk letter:\dsk2\arachne

After this, type 2 at the next choice:
Choice 2. Disk (last choice)

that's ramdisk. The mode screen (VGA, CGA, etc.) has no means. Use the mode you think to have.
Usually in this conditions arachne needs two attempts before to start. If your first trying don't run, try again: search arachne.bat in the arachne directory and use it to start arachne again. Then repeat your choices. I assure you that arachne will start and you'll go in internet.
 

total:  1.725.952 Bytes  (FREE: 19.456 Bytes!!!)

This is the modified config.sys (without himem.sys):

config.sys
dos=high
switches=/f
devicehigh=a:\vdisk.sys 10240 /e
devicehigh=a:\vide-cdd.sys /d:ananas /L:US /P:1F0,14 /P:170,15 /P:1E8,12 /P:168,10
LASTDRIVE=M

All the space problems in Vdisk between Arachne and Desktop2 are solved if:

• you use a ramdisk of almost 10.240 MB if you delete all the Desktop installation files from the \temp directory and the zip files in \dsk2
• you use a ramdisk of almost 12.288 MB if you don't delete anything

I've tested this floppy configuration without himem.sys on an old 486 50 MHz and a Pentium 166 MHz and all was ok. All was ok in internet too. In the old computer I've only seen that the pages don't scroll with fluidity as with himem.sys.
Puff! Don't try to use this trick in other floppies: many bricks may have the necessity of the work of himem.sys. Remember it!
Now you have 19456 Bytes for your... documents to save! In DR-DOS, vdisk.sys can works well without himem.sys...

ADD A JAVA VIRTUAL MACHINE (JVM) IN YOUR FLOPPY

There are many JVM for DOS in the net that can be placed in a floppy:

Taurus JavaVM is a "temporarily freeware" (since 1999, not updated) JVM for DOS and can be found and downloaded in this fine site: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lab/6125/javavm/ .
There is a version 0.10a demo JVM for DOS that can be placed (zipped) in 17066 Bytes (it is only a curiosity because you need to be very expert to use it appropriately) and a true JVM version 0.16a for DOS (at the 60% of the commands) that can be placed (zipped) in 27948 Bytes!

EASy.VM is a freeware for educational uses JVM for DOS and can be found and downloaded in this fine site: http://www.jakom.de/Download.htm.
You must unpack the ~629 KB of bincode.zip and find the directory bincode\easy\dos. Zip the files inside (or the entire directory \dos) and you'll have a file of about 67.1 KB. If you need also the communication functions go in bincode\servant\dos, copy all the files in bincode\easy\dos, and zip all the directory. You'll obtain a zipped file of about 112.7 KB.

Other JVMs for DOS can be found in the net, but usually they are big (over 500 KB). You can use them only if you change Desktop2 with a not graphic user interface like dc (Desktop Commander). For example: