[Ham-Computers] RE: Flash drives, DOS, etc

[Jay Austin]

Duane,

The thing with VPC (and VMWare for thaty matter) is that when you are
running A VM, it is actually completely independent of the host OS. For
example, when you boot a VM it goes through the POST and BIOS test and boots
like any other computer. It does not even see the host OS. What it is
basically doing is taking the amount of memory and setting it aside for that
VM and running it as if it was an independent computer. You do need more
memory to do this. I would not recommend running any virtual software on any
computer with less than 1 GB of RAM for this reason. You can even network
the VM differently from the host OS. It will even get a different IP and the
network will see it as a completely different machine if you want it to. 

All this to say, if you install DOS as a VM under VPC, then it will act just
like a computer with DOS only running on it. It will not even see the XP
that it is running on top of unless you set it up as part of the network and
even then it will see it as a different computer. Any DOS programs you have
will run under that VM.

Forget about booting with the flash drive and just install VPC. Then install
DOS as a VM.

73,
 
Jay Austin KE4RHN
 
Austin Computer Solutions
http:\\www.austin-computer-solutions.com
Hire a Tech, Not a Geek
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Duane Fischer, W8DBF [mailto:dfischer at usol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 10:04 PM
To: Computers (or other) used for amateur radio, communications,or
experimenting
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] RE: Flash drives, DOS, etc

Aaron,

I was told by a very good computer tech that Windows DOS, as we are used to,

would not work on a XP machine due to the system changes after Win 98 SE. 
The drivers were not supported and the hardware was not useable.  That is, 
no CD or other devices.

I have flash memory and the DOS etc. While it 'may' allow some DOS programs 
to run, many will not because they can not use the CD, printer, modem etc.

So make it clear, please: What are the limitations using any kind of DOS in 
any type of way on a XP machine?

Thank you.