DOS Machine on qemu/kvm

jogl_z_8 · 01-01-2022, 10:50 AM

I did the install first, then the menu shown came back. So, having already installed I try boot and it hangs.

mredc · 01-01-2022, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbocapitalist

Then you'll have to boot three times. Once to partition the drive space, once to format the drive and install FreeDOS, then once again to actually boot from the designated drive space. The last choice can go with the options above and wait for the boot menu it presents, or by else change the one line from -boot d to -boot c once FreeDOS has been successfully installed.

Okay, the note above may help you. The instructions in the video even went so far as power off and restart after the 1st step of partition, also after the second step of formatting the drive and installing freedos, and then once again to boot from the installed system. However, once freedos is installed you can omit the ISO file from your command.

jogl_z_8 · 01-01-2022, 11:23 AM

I just watched the video. When I go through the steps Fdisk does not come up when I hit "Yes partition drive C:" It just pauses for 3 or 4 seconds and returns to the "Install / Boot" menu.

I guess that that is the problem. The C: drive is not partitioned. The c.hd or freedos.img file is in the current directory. (my /home/jogl/ directory).

Any ideas why fdisk is not working?

I tried running fdisk manually from the A: drive with no luck.

Also just noticed that just before returning from "Yes partition..." a message flashs but too fast for me to see.

kilgoretrout · 01-01-2022, 11:35 AM

Quote:

What I am trying to do is get some files off of a very old (Compaq Contura) laptop. The floppy does not work on the laptop, but it has Laplink installed. So if I can just get a DOS anything working with a serial port I'm hoping that I can transfer files from the lappy.

If this has become a thing and you just want to figure out why it's not working, I completely understand. However, if you just want to get data of the laptop's hard drive, have you considered pulling the hard drive and using one of these to get the data:

https://www.amazon.com/AGPtek-Drive-...s%2C150&sr=8-5

jogl_z_8 · 01-01-2022, 11:41 AM

I have considered it. However I believe that the old Compaq has a SCSI drive in it.

I wish it was serial because I already have a usb docking station for serial drives.

Kilgoretrout, I remember your user name from way back!

jogl_z_8 · 01-01-2022, 11:50 AM

Well, now I'm not sure if the HD is SCSI or IDE. I'll have to look into that.

Upon disassembly, it is a 2.5" IDE drive. I will be paying the local computer shop a visit on Mon, if they do not have a dock / adapter I will order that one from amazon.

I do still want to get DOS running on the VM server. I have always meant to but until now did not have the need. I have some old DOS software that I will want to run occasionally. Namely S6 Siemens PLC programming software, MicroCADAM, and a utility for old Fanuc robots.

I just always figured that since it was so easy to get a few different flavours and releases of Linux running on the VM that DOS should be a snap. Doh!

Also need to get a Windows XP VM running for backup to the boss's favourite accounting software box.