What's New in the Emergency Boot Disk (EBD) for Windows98?
The EBD has changed significantly for Windows 98. The following items are
new for Windows98.
- Multi-Config Start Menu
- Real-Mode IDE & SCSI CD-ROM support
- EBD.CAB file
- RAMDrive
- New Extract Utility - Extwrap (subject to name change)
1) Multi-Config Start Menu
==========================
If you boot the computer using the new Windows98 EBD, a boot menu appears
allowing you the option to load drivers for the most common CD-Rom drives
or perform a normal clean boot.
After you make your selection, the Config.sys file loads the appropriate
CD-ROM driver (if selected) and then loads a 1MB RAMDrive. The Ramdrive
is used to store all the diagnostic tools neccessary to T-shoot the most
common problems.
*Note*
The RAMdrive may cause your CD-Rom to pushed back 1 drive letter. If your
CD-rom is usually drive D:, it will now be Drive E:.
2) Real-Mode CD-ROM support
=================================
The Windows 98 EBD includes generic ATAPI IDE & SCSI CD-ROM drivers that
allow your CD-ROM to function at Dos when the Windows98 GUI is not available. Note, not all CD-Rom drives are supported. If your CD-Rom drive does not function with these drivers, you must use the drivers that came with your CD-Rom drive.
3) EBD.CAB file
=================================
The Ebd.cab file is a compressed file whose contents are extracted to the
Ramdrive during the startup process. The table below identifies the files
in the Ebd.cab file.
File Function
Attrib.exe Add or remove file attributes
Chkdsk.exe A simpler and smaller disk status tool
Debug.exe Debugging utility
Edit.com Real-mode emergency text editor
Extwrap.exe New, simple file extract utility
Format.com Disk format tool
Mscdex.exe Microsoft CD-ROM file extension for MS-DOS
Scandisk.exe Disk status tool
Scandisk.ini Disk status tool configuration file
Sys.com Transfers system files and make disk bootable
Uninstal.exe A tool to remove Windows 98 from the system and return the
system to its previous state
4) Creating a RAMDrive
=================================
The RAMDrive is created during the processing of the Config.sys file and is
1MB in size. The Ramdrive is created using system RAM to emulate a physical
Hard Disk. By using a RAMdrive, we are able to include files that would
normaly not fit on a single 1.44 meg floppy disk. This allows us to provide
all the usual diagnostic tools as well as the generic CD-rom drivers.
Warning
Since the RAMDrive is created during the processing of the Config.sys file
and uses System RAM, it is only temporary. It will disappear if you restart
your computer normally.
4) New Extract Command - Extwrap
===================================
The Extwrap.exe command is a new and simple extract command designed to work
with Extract.exe. You type Extwrap at a command prompt. You are then asked
to enter the path to the Windows cab files, enter the name(s) of the file(s)
you want to extract and enter the path to the directory to extract the files
to. The cab files will scroll up the screen until the file is found.
List of all components on the EBD
====================================
The following table describes the function of each file copied to the EBD.
File Function
Aspi2dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi4dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspi8dos.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Aspicd.sys Real-Mode Adaptec CD-ROM driver
Autoexec.bat Startup batch file
Btcdrom.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Btdosm.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Command.com Command interpreter
Config.sys Loads the device drivers
Drvspace.bin Microsoft DriveSpace compression driver
Ebd.cab Cab file containing extract utilities
Ebd.sys File identifying the ESD
Extract.exe File to expand the Ebd.cab file
Fdisk.exe Disk partition tool
Findramd.exe Utility to find the RAMDrive during startup
Flashpt.sys Mylex/BusLogic CD-ROM driver
Himem.sys XMS Memory Manager
Io.sys System boot file
Msdos.sys Boot option information (paths, multiboot, and so on)
Oakcdrom.sys Generic device driver for ATAPI CD-ROM drives
Ramdrive.sys Creates a Ramdrive during startup
Setramd.bat Searches for first available drive to be a Ramdrive