The DOS Project
C:\>_
DOS in the Year 2004
Chapter Number 1 - 10/18/04
Purpose:
- To fully utilize DOS in the year 2004 as an operating system on lower end (Free) computers.
- To explore Open Source, Freeware, and Abondonware on this platform.
Starting Point:
- 1 Set of floppy disks labeled Caldera DR-DOS 7.03
- 1 Free computer with the following components:
- P 75 MHZ processor
- 516 MB Hard Drive
- CD-ROM (unknown make and speed at this time)
- Sound Card (Unknown make at this time)
- 16 MB of RAM
- 15" Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse
- 1 Copy of Peter Norton's complete Guide to DOS 6.22.
- Needless to say that my starting point, as far as my computer
is concerned, is not altogether low-end. In fact, this computer is capable
of running Windows 9x. (not very well though).
I was hoping to find something like a 386SX or 486DX-33, but since it was FREE
I will take what I get. It is also much harder to find 386 and 486 computers now.
What people willing to part with are the low-end Pentiums that can't
run Windows 98 or XP. These are the computers they feel have no value.
NOTE: I will need to barter or trade for a modem at some point if I intend to
get on the internet and get email.
- I don't just want to "Run" DOS, I want to use it. What
good would it be to load DOS on a computer, play with it for an hour,
and never go back to it? With this in mind I formulated the
following list of what I would like to be able to do with this
computer. Let's call it...............
Goals and Objectives:
- Surf the Internet
- Do some word processing
- Play some games (There were some great DOS games!)
- Play a CD (Music)
- Create and edit a web page
- Use up-to-date Anti-Virus protection
- Zip / Unzip files
- Transfer files with my office computer
- What should I expect from the operating system?
What functions and utilities should be included? I recall
that MS DOS 6.22 had many utilities including QBasic, DOSShell,
MSD and a Back-Up Utility. Is there such a thing as a "Complete
Distribution" for DOS in 2004? I compiled the following short list,
let's call it...............
Built-in Functions and Utilities:
- File Manager
- System Diagnostic
- Back-Up
- Compression / Zip
- Text Editor
- Web Browser
- CD-ROM Support
- Mouse Driver
- I also hope to find the following, let's call it......
Support:
- Documentation
- User Guides
- Current Updates
- Associated Project, Community, User Group, or S.I.G
- A Message Board or Forum to post on for help.
- As I mentioned above, I had a copy of Caldera
DR-DOS 7.03 on 3 1/2" floppy disks. I had downloaded
this version several years ago and have had it stored
since then. I didn't even know if this version was still
available. I assumed that there may be one or more
versions / revisions since that time. Another concern I
had was the licensing of this product. Remember, I wanted this
project to be free,INCLUDING the O.S. and applications.
I began to search the Internet for Caldera DR-DOS.
(www.caldera.com) I was forwarded to the SCO UnixWare page.
(www.drdos.com) Devicelogics page for DR DOS 8.0 and 7.03. Versions aimed
for embedded solutions. NOT free! $25.00 for the 8.0 version and $35.00 for the 7.03 version.
(www.calderathin.com) I could'nt find anything about DOS on the page!
(www.caldera.com/drdos) SCO Unixware Obsoleted Products and Programs page.
Where I was informed that DR-DOS had been discontinued.
It was beginning to appear that Caldera DR-DOS was no longer
available. I did manage to find the Caldera DR-DOS 7.02
User Guides which I thought may come in handy.
- I decided to post this work on the Internet. There just
isn't enough useless information available these days, I might as
well provide some more.
- I joined several Yahoo Groups associated with DOS.
I started reading through some of the posts hoping
to gain some insight and maybe even offer some advice.
some of the larger groups I found are:
- DR-DOS:
- 207 Members - A few recent postings and downloadable files.
- DRDOS:
- 143 Members - A few recent postings and some downloadable files.
- InternetInDOS:
- 133 Members - Recent postings and downloadable files.
- DOS_Today:
- 119 Members - Recent postings and downloadable files.
- I started searching for alternatives to the Caldera DR-DOS 7.03
I had on the floppy disks. I searched the Internet for "DOS
Operating Systems" I spent several days looking at web sites trying to find
information about each. I considered all versions (including those that were
not free), but as I stated above I am looking for a good, complete
(preferabley free) distribution that is easy to install and configure
(including a web browser?). The following are some of the sites I visited
with a bit of information I collected from each about the particular
DOS version.
MS-DOS 7.10
(http://newdos.yginfo.net/msdos71/index.htm) MS-DOS 7.10 is a up-to-date
version of MS-DOS which has a lot of features. It fully supports large hard disks,
large memory, FAT32 drives and Long File Names. Developed from the source code
of DR-DOS 7.01. FREE
RDOS (www.rdos.net/rdos/)
Just not enough here to make me believe this is what I am looking for.
Free for indidual user - $10.00 Commercial license.
FreeDOS (www.freedos.org)
FreeDos has been put together by enthusiasts. There's a great deal of information about the project available on the site. FreeDOS is a modern DOS which supports some modern hardware, but you do not get all the tools of MS-DOS.
While there are a lot utilities linked to from the site there are very few utilities included. There are two big advantages to FreeDOS "Open Source and FREE. You can modify FreeDOS to fit your personal taste and needs, and then install it on as many PCs as you want without having to count them. FreeDos is still considered beta software and may not be as polished as a commercial release - yet.
DRDOS 8.0 and 7.03 Embedded (DeviceLogic) (www.drdos.com)
Marketed as an embedded DOS system. Has a comprehensive DOS utility set.
7.03 License is $35.00 - 8.0 License is $25.00 .
IBM PC DOS 2000 (www.-306.ibm.com/software/os/dos/) A DOS version by IBM. Backup/Restore DOS and Windows programs, text editor, Enhanced memory management, Stacker data compression, REXX programming language, online documentation, help and more.
NOT Free! Distributed on 3.5" disks for ONLY $67.00. HA HA HA For a few dollars
more I can buy a copy of Windows XP.
DR-DOS/OpenDOS
(www.drdosprojects.de/index.cgi/about.htm) The DR-DOS/OpenDOS Enhancement Project.
DR-DOS 7.01 with some enhancements such as support for large disks (LBA) and FAT32. FREE.
Club Dr-DOS
(http://stud3.tuwien.ac.at/~e0225895/drdos/drdos.htm) Club Dr-DOS.
Unofficial site of DeviceLogics's Dr-DOS 8.0 with additional info about older versions
like Caldera OpenDOS 7.01, Caldera Dr-DOS 7.02, Lineo/Caldera Dr-DOS 7.03 or Novell DOS.
Lots of help files, documentation, FAQs, downloads, utilities and history of DR-DOS.
According to this web site "You can download a copy of DR-DOS 7.03 for non-commercial use"
I have my doubts about this and I think I would need a lawyer to verify it.
(Since DeviceLogic has a DR-DOS 7.03 I would think they probably own the license rights)
Datalight ROM-DOS
(www.www.datalight.com/product_detail.asp?p_id=19&archive=0) The ROM-DOS Single User
Version is a small compact DOS solution perfect for desktop users and OEMs wanting a low-cost
drop in replacement DOS. Long File Names (LFN) are supported along with a full DOS
utility suite. Available for electronic download. Documentation is provided in electronic form. Single user
license $38.00.
PTS-DOS 32 (PhysTechSoft - Russian) (www.phystechsoft.com/en/) PTS-DOS 32
supports FAT-32 and large HDD, Support for large RAM (up to 4Gb)
Built-in boot manager, Full CD-ROM support, Full DOS utility set.
Single user License $19.95. Has a downloadable trial version.
PTS-DOS 2000 (PhysTechSoft - Russian)
(www.phystechsoft.com/en/) PTS-DOS is the powerful and fastest DOS with network support,
file manager, archiver, internal boot viruses protection and numerous utilities package.
PTS-DOS pack contains graphical web browser Arachne, e-mail client, telnet and ftp client!
Built-in boot manager. PTS-DOS 2000 provides you with everything you need for work with Internet.
It provides you with dial-up, web browsing, e-mail sending and reading and more.
Single user license $19.95. Has a downloadable trial version.
PTS DOS 2000 Pro (Paragon Inc. - German) (www.paragon-gmbh.com/n_dos.htm)
PTS DOS 2000 Pro is a powerful and fast DOS developed by Paragon Software. It comes with:
a simple graphical DOS Navigator; with FAT32, big hard drive, and CD-ROM support; Partition Manager
Easy to partition hard drives; DOS Drive Backup to create hard drive images; and other important components.
PTS DOS 2000 Pro includes source-code. PTS DOS includes several add-on components. Internal BootManager,
providing "friendly" co-existence with other DOS's & OS's. Limited Demo Version - License $14.95.
Chapter Number 2 - 11/04/04
I partitioned the 516 MB hard drive using a start-up disk and the DOS "fdisk"
command as follows:
- Drive "C" in the Primary partition:
- Drive "D" in the Extended partition:
- Drive "E" in the Extended partition:
I set the primary partition "Active" and then re-started the computer.
Next I formatted the 2 drives in the extended partition using the DOS "format" command.
I used the DOS Format C: /S command only on the "C" drive making it now bootable.
Chapter Number 3 - 11/04/04
Installing the Operating System(s)
-
After spending a lot of time trying to narrow my choices it became apparent that
the distributions that you had to pay for claimed to have the most features such
as built-in CD-ROM support, mouse support, boot managers, utilities and browsers.
I decided to download and test a few different versions, both freeware and those that
you had to pay for.
A good friend of mine came up with a great suggestion (and a set of floppy disks).
I should load MS-DOS as a reference. I used MS-DOS for many years but have forgotten
just what functions and utilities were included. Loading Microsoft DOS first will give
me something to compare the other versions against.
I re-visited the Club Dr-DOS web site. I thought I should go ahead and install the
copy of DR-DOS 7.03 I had on floppy disks. At least It would give me an opportunity
to have a quick look at it, fully intending to remove it or purchase a license for it
after I write a review of it.
- I installed the O.S. from floppy disks. It was straight forward with several simple
configuration questions being asked during the installation.
The questions were actually welcome and included: Location of installation , Optimize
DR-DOS for game play and a few others. There are CD-Drivers included and may have worked
after installation had I not partitioned my hard drive
using letters C, D & E. I didn't have any trouble installing the included mouse driver but it did
not install by default. The O.S. has some utilities and does include the game Netwars.
Other advantages were that there were NO minimum system requirements.
You can browse through your previous commands and edit them. Extensive online documentation.
Built-in networking. Built-in multitasking (true multitasking on a 386 or above) and year 2000 support
-
The installation program for DR-DOS 7.02 can detect that Windows 95 or Windows 98
is installed and automatically install the Caldera DR-DOS dual boot program "LOADER".
When your computer is started, LOADER allows you to select DR-DOS or your other
operating system, Windows 95 or 98. I wanted to give this option a try so I installed
it on my Son's P233 that is running Windows 98. It works GREAT!
PTS DOS 2000 PhysTechSoft:
-
Of all the DOS versions I found, this is the one that I wanted to try most. Boasting of
network support, file manager, archiver, internal boot viruses protection and numerous utilities,
graphical web browser Arachne, e-mail client, built-in boot manager, telnet and ftp client,
I really wanted to try this version. I downloaded the trial version which I expected to be:
- Shareware:
- Fully functional version that they expect you to purchase after a limited time.
- Limited Time Usage:
- The product would cease to work after a certain amount of time.
- Limited Functionality:
- The product does not have all functionality available in the "Full Version".
- I downloaded the file and unzipped it using my Win XP machine.
I ran the makeboot.bat and installed the O.S. on my P75 from the floppy disks.
Apparently it did not like my Windows XP machine (or so I thought) because
after installation the machine would not boot. All I got was a I/O error.
I copied the unzipped files from my XP machine to the P75. Once again I tried
the makeboot.
While trying to make the disks it kept asking me for the location of command.com. I
installed the O.S. from the floppy disks and got the same I/O error on reboot.
I was ready to give up. My final thought was to install the O.S. directly from the HD
(without boot disks). The set-up went well this time asking only a few questions
including; Would I like to install Arachne Web Browser. To my surprize
the installation is FULL with a 60 second delay before getting in to the O.S.
I am very surprized to find a mouse driver and CD-ROM driver installed during installation!
Boots into a file manager. I left the machine to take a phone call and when I returned
a screen saver was running. Memory management is excellent. Much more memeory available
than other versions I have installed.
Information on this O.S. coming soon.
Chapter Number 6 - 11/13/04
Software and Utilities and Games:
-
I spent some time looking for utilities, games and a word processing program. Some are freeware and some are shareware.
There are so many freeware utilities and programs available it will spin you head.
- Info-ZIP:
- Since PKWARE no longer offers a shareware / evaluation version of PKZIP, I went looking for freeware. I found a product product called Info-ZIP. Info-ZIP is a FREE, portable, high-quality Zip and UnZip compressor-archiver utility. Info-ZIP is compatible with the DOS-based PKZIP by PKWARE, Inc.
- FileMaster (XTreeGold Clone):
- Simply a MUST-HAVE if you are going to run DOS as a command line (Without a GUI). FileMaster is a accurate XTreeGold clone for DOS systems. Exactly the same screen, (nearly) all the same hotkeys and commands as XTreeGold plus some extra ones. FileMaster won't get any annoying "Out of memory" messages when reading large drives the way XTreeGold does. the FileMaster distribution also includes a WordStar keystroke compatible text-editor (IB-Edit). The installation program as well as all the info texts are available in German only, but the program itself is supplied in both a German and English versions. Download FREE from the
XTree Fan Page.
- Breeze Word Processor v5.6 for DOS:
- Breeze is an easy to use word processor/text editor (with spell check) that does everything you ever wanted. Freeware
- Games:
- I downloaded the files and unzipped them on my DOS machine. It took a couple of
days to get my computer back from my kids! These games were great and still can kill an
afternoon before you know it.
Chapter Number 8 - 11/20/04
-
Playing a CD was one of my intitial goals. I was not even sure if I had to load sound card drivers or not but
it was time to dive in. I opened up the case to find out what kind of sound card I had. I was beginning to appreciate
Plug-N-Play. My sound card is a Sound Blaster model 4180 a fairly new model. I searched for the correct DOS driver without any luck. I figured that I could use a generic Sound Blaster driver but I downloaded the closest thing I could find.
There are MANY different programs available and I tried several different.
- CD Player:
- CDPlayer v2.25e is a FREE audio CD player by Forever Young Software which looks like the Win95 CD Player. Source code included.
- Open Cubic Player:
- Open Cubic Player is a FREE music file player for DOS and Windows 95-ME. Open Cubic Player supports multiple formats including MID (standard midi file), MP3 (MPEG audio format level 1-3), WAV (Microsoft RIFF wave file) and more.
- DOSAMP:
- DOSAMP v0.8 DOSAMP is a FREEWARE command-line MP3 Player.
- I love the fact that I can now listen to a audio CD in DOS. Years ago we never did
this!
Chapter Number 7 - 11/26/04
-
Arachne is a full featured DOS (and Linux) graphical Web Browser that
is suitable for use with MS-DOS, FreeDOS, DR-DOS and other DOS variants.
Arachne is an ideal alternative to Windows Explorer for older "legacy" computers.
You can use it to give that old 386/486 machine a new lease on life!
Turn off the graphics and the program will even run on a 286, or an XT, just don't expect blindingly
fast performance on such a machine! At the opposite end of the spectrum, it will run very well on a
Pentium or above.
Arachne can be used to send and receive e-mail, and browse the World Wide Web.
Arachne supports HTML 4.0, frames, graphics, tables and animations.
Includes FTP facilities, a simple WAV file player, and can be used as a simple HTML editor.
Best of all Arachne fits on to a single floppy and is FREE for personal use.
NOTE: I downloaded Arachne web browser for DOS version 1.77 from glennmcc, the link is listed below. The Arachne official web site has a download of version 1.70 for DOS.
- Arachne System Requirements:
- Installation Instructions:
- Arachne Help:
Arachne Surfing the Web
Download Arachne
Chapter Number 8 - 12/04/04
-
I wanted to look at some DOS GUIs. I'm a command-line kind of guy, but thought I'd give some of the free GUIs a try.
- OpenGEM:
- OpenGem is a FREE small yet powerful graphical user interface for DOS. OpenGEM is easy to install and easy to use. OpenGEM is not about fancy skins, colorful wallpaper, or 3D gaming. OpenGEM is about understanding that DOS users need some simple, reliable applications to do their jobs, and they don't want rubbish to fill their hard drives. OpenGEM includes the following utilities: WordPlus (word-processing package), Graph (spreadsheet/graphing utility), Publisher (desktop publishing package), Draw (drawing utility) and Artline (high-end graphics package) OpenGEM is being considered as a base component for FreeDOS.
OpenGem Desktop
- Desktop2:
- Desktop2 is a FREE
graphical user interface (shell) for DOS. Desktop2 used to be commercial software but since the dominance of MS-Windows 95 it's free now. DESKTOP has many components: Over 100 ready-to-use icons (MS-WindowsTM Icon format), Sophisticated file manager, extensive Drag&Drop functionality, file and directory management, disk operations, Search for files on drives, clipboard, CD player, Calculator, Screensavers and more.
Desktop2
- SEAL:
- SEAL is a FREE 32-bit graphical user interface for DOS. It supports many advanced features, such as sound and other multimedia functions. The minimum system requirements are a 486 or better and at least 8mb of RAM. SEAL is licensed under the GNU General Public License, which means it's FREE.I tried the latest version Latest Version: 2.00.11
Seal
- As I said in the beginning of this section, I am a command-line kind of guy. After trying some of
the free GUI's, I now believe it is by far the most important application you can get for DOS.
I am impressed. I love the GUI now! I can't believe they're FREE
Chapter Number 9 - 12/05/04
-
DOS was intended to run on IBM PC's, XT's, AT's and 386's. It runs even better on
a Pentium with 16 MB of RAM!
I spent several more days looking at DOS websites, searching for and installing usefull
utilities.
While I do agree that further DOS development seems pointless, (Linux) it is not
unrealistic to have a computer in the year 2004 run DOS as an alternative O.S.
Looking back at my original list of goals and objectives, I am able to do almost everything
on my list including: listen to a CD, surf the web (a bit slowly), check my email, play some
games and type some documents for school. The one project I have not tried as of yet is linking
my XP computer with my DOS computer to transfer files.
I must admit that a the various DOS versions I researched and experiminted with were not as comprehensive
as I had hoped. They were not even as complete as the MS-DOS 6.22 distribution.
If you are looking for bells and wistles in the newer versions they just are'nt there.
Maybe what I was looking for should be some type of add-on pack. It could include back-up
utilities, a Web Brower, some form of .wav player, a paint program and a text editor with spell check.
The list goes on and on. The good news is that if you look hard enough you can find a program to do almost
any task required. Chances are it will also be free.
DOS IS NOT DEAD! There's no flash, no glitter (unless you use a GUI), but it is STABLE and
is able to do almost any job you need.
Pertinent and Favorite Links:
DOS Solutions
F-Prot Anti-Virus for DOS
DOSOnly.Net Programs and Utilities
DOS software and other DOS related websites
ESSENTIAL DOS Power Toys 99.99% FREE(ware)
Sakowich & Associates Computer Consulting
Questions, comments and additions welcome
boardgamer2@yahoo.com
The Israelites looked at Goliath and moaned, "He is so big! How can we ever defeat him?"
David looked at Goliath and exclaimed, "He is so big! How could I ever miss?"
unknown author