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1992-07-26
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BOOTABLE
A Utility For Creating DOS Bootable Diskettes
Copyright (C), 1992
William F. Kappauf
1310 Cabrillo Avenue
San Jose, CA 95132
BOOTABLE 1.00
1. INTRODUCTION
BOOTABLE helps make DOS bootable diskettes while run-
ning under OS/2. I got the idea for this program after
reading several messages on IBMOS2 forum on Compuserve.
Several people had realized that making a diskette that will
boot DOS is difficult (or impossible) while running OS/2.
OS/2 does not provide a "format /s" option, nor can one use
DOS's own format.com program when booted inside a DOS win-
dow.
It seemed that the only way to create a DOS bootable
diskette was to literally boot DOS, either using a Dual Boot
setup, or from a floppy diskette and then use DOS's "format
/s". What a hassle!
BOOTABLE represents my first attempt at a useable pro-
gram that allows one to easily create DOS bootable
diskettes. If you find that you have a few programs that
just refuse to run under OS/2, or want to make self booting
DOS diskettes for other reasons, try BOOTABLE, you'll be
glad you did.
2. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
The author of BOOTABLE specifically disclaims all war-
ranties, either expressed or implied, including but not lim-
ited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness
for a particular purpose, with respect to BOOTABLE.EXE and
the accompanying documentation.
In no event shall the author of BOOTABLE be liable for
any loss of profit or any other commercial damage, including
but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or
other damages.
3. USER SUPPORTED SOFTWARE
BOOTABLE is distributed as shareware. You may try it
before you buy it. You may give away or distribute copies
of BOOTABLE so long as you charge only for the cost of dis-
tribution, and you distribute the complete, unmodified BOOT-
ABLE package. If you use BOOTABLE and find it to be useful,
you are requested to make a monetary contribution to its
author to compensate him for the effort expended in develop-
ing it and to encourage him to provide future enhancements.
The suggested amount is $10. This contribution should be
mailed to:
William F. Kappauf
1310 Cabrillo Ave.
San Jose, CA 95132
July 26, 1992 Page 2
BOOTABLE 1.00
4. INSTALLATION
The BOOTABLE package consists of three files:
BOOTABLE.EXE (The program file)
BOOTABLE.ICO (The program's icon)
BOOTABLE.DOC (This file).
Simply place BOOTABLE.EXE and BOOTABLE.ICO in a directory
listed in your PATH statement. That's all there is to it.
5. USING BOOTABLE
Making DOS bootable diskettes is a two step process.
First, a "snapshot" is taken of a DOS bootable diskette by
saving the boot sector, system files, and command.com.
Second, this "snapshot" may be used to modify other blank
diskettes, even if they are not the same format.
Take a "snapshot" of a DOS bootable diskette by issuing
the following command:
bootable -s a: path
or,
bootable -s b: path.
"path" can be any OS/2 path, with or without a drive qualif-
ier. BOOTABLE fully supports the HPFS (High Performance
File System), so long and unusual paths may be specified.
If "path" contains spaces or other characters not allowed in
a conventional FAT file name, surround your entry in double
quotes as in:
bootable -s a: "very long path name with spaces"
BOOTABLE will place the boot sector, system files, and
command.com into the "path" specified. If the path does not
exist, you will be prompted if you want it created. This is
very handy to create snapshots of various flavors of DOS.
Each one can be used with a different "path", and BOOTABLE
will put all the right files in the specified path.
Once a snapshot has been taken, BOOTABLE can make a
blank diskette bootable by updating the boot sector, copying
over the system files, and copying over command.com. Making
a diskette bootable is done by executing the following com-
mand:
bootable a: path
or,
July 26, 1992 Page 3
BOOTABLE 1.00
bootable b: path.
You may use either a: or b: drive to take snapshots
from, and you may use either a: or b: to create bootable
diskettes. This is useful in situations (like mine) where
you have DOS diskettes in one format (like 5.25") but your
a: drive is another (3.5"). Just take a snapshot from b:
and create on a:.
BOOTABLE will issue a brief set of instructions if
entered at the command line with no arguments.
6. SUPPORT
I have made every attempt to make BOOTABLE useful,
friendly, and (hopefully) bug free. If you need help, think
you may have found a bug, or have some suggestions for
improving BOOTABLE, please contact me at:
71625.1734 on Compuserve or,
71625.1734@Compuserve.com from the Internet.
As updated versions become available, I will post them on
the IBMOS2 forum on Compuserve as well as other OS/2 BBSs
around the country. I hope using BOOTABLE makes using OS/2
a little more pleasurable.
July 26, 1992 Page 4