easy dos question?

[achilipepper]

ok, i know nothing about dos. how do i make it my O/S? how can i make it load a program at bootup?

[EzyStvy]

Short answer: Partition a hard drive for 2 gigs or smaller and format it. Install Dos6.x if you can find it. Last line in the autoexec.bat file add a statement like C:\xxx\programname.exe

[achilipepper]

wait, so i can only use a 2 gig hard drive, or partition? cause im making a jukebox of sorts, so i am definetly gonna need more than 2 gigs.... i could probably put dos on that partition and then my mp3s on a different partition, right? thanks,

[bonzai]

yeah, DOS uses FAT16, so only capable of 2gig partitions. If you need to access alot of data under DOS, then i guess you will need to play with multiple 2gig partitions.

[TwoRails]

DOS size limits kinda depend on which version you're running. achilipepper, Which version Windows are you running? If you're running something like Win 98.2, then you can boot straight into DOS if you'd like

TwoRails

[Nuclear Krusader]

Just hit F8 immediately after the message "Starting Windows 98..." appears and select Command Line Only in the menu that appears. You can also enable the startup menu to appear everytime you boot using TweakUI.

[achilipepper]

my *goal* if that's the word was to have my computer boot up, into dos (b/c its stable, no resource eating, etc) and then open winamp or a winamp esque program to play my mp3s. its gonna be a stereo component, a jukebox, but i plan on running it w/o a monitor, just a LED screen on the front of the box. so make a suggestion for me, whats the best way to do this?

[achilipepper]

i also want to be able to plug in my external usb hard drive and use the cdrom for mp3 playing

[TwoRails]

Hi achilipepper,

DOS doesn't directly support what you want to do. You'd have to, if even possible, roll your own on that, meaning researching if all the drivers and programs are even availible to run in DOS.

But... Having the nice system you have, the least of your concerns should be resources and the like. My 1800+ could do all this and more all at the same time without problems: burn CDs, host a small home network (with the other system online), be online and downloading and surfing, have a TV capture window running, and more...

HTH

TwoRails

[Dan]

I agree whole hearted with TwoRails...
trying to do this with dos, on your system, is like having a Jet airplane and deciding to go somewhere by towing it with a donkey.
with the kind of windows based programs available for the kinds of things you want to do, with all their whistles and bells,
I think you're much better off running a Windows OS.

[achilipepper]

HAHA! nononono im not using the system in my profile for it, im using an old 600mhz pent III. im making a custom oak box for it, the dimesions of a stereo reciever, under mine it will sit. its not really gonna be much of a computer, its gonna be just for playing music... so windows i guess i should use still...

[TwoRails]

LOL Got me good on that one!! I think I'd still go with Windows, though. If your not going to be online, you won't need antivirus and firewall protect, and a other "normal" services. You probably will be fine!

TwoRails

[Dan]

I would be curious to see it when you're done, I make custom furniture and cabinetry....post a picture if you can when you're up and running......

[achilipepper]

ok, im prob not gonna get started on it for a few weeks, so i dont htink it will be done for about a month. i will deffinetly post some pictures though, thanks a bunch!