CDBOOT3 is an all-new, enhanced version of the freeware CDBoot utility for creating a boot disk with real-mode DOS CD-ROM driver support. CDBoot is now designed to create the "ultimate Aptiva boot disk" for either performing a clean install of Windows 9x on an IBM Aptiva PC or for troubleshooting and repairing problems.
This disk will load real-mode CD-ROM driver support using a standard CD-ROM driver which works with all IDE/ATAPI CD-ROM drives found on IBM Aptivas as well as mouse support via MOUSE.COM. The disk features a comprehensive collection of DOS command line tools which includes the IBM file restore utility RESTORE.EXE.
Online Help documentation is included which includes separate files with extensive information on performing a Clean Install of Windows 98/ME as well as MS-DOS Command Help.
Download CDBoot
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CDBoot version 3.1
CDBOOT3.EXE
815kb [834,846 bytes] |
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Installing CDBoot
- Download CDBOOT3.EXE to your hard drive
- Insert a blank 3.5" 1.44MB floppy diskette in Drive A:
- Double-Click on the CDBOOT3.EXE file and follow the prompts
NOTE: Unlike CDBoot2 with CDBoot3 the support files used to create the boot disk are extracted to a temporary folder which is purged automatically after running the program, so nothing need be deleted after using CDBOOT3 to recover free disk space.
Using CDBoot
Insert the boot disk created by running CDBoot3 in Drive A:\
and start the PC with DOS CD-ROM and mouse support
The initial menu provides the following options:
Press [E] to Exit to a DOS Command Prompt
Press [C] to Check CD-ROM Support (WinCD req'd)
Press [W] for Windows Clean Install Help
Press [D] for DOS Command Help
This option menu can be accessed from a command prompt at any time by typing MENU and tapping enter, or the online help documentation can be accessed by typing 98HELP (Windows 9x Clean Install walkthrough) or DOSHELP (Command Line assistance). Also note that typing the command WINCD will launch the Windows 9x CD detection tool.
Command Line tools include ATTRIB, DELTREE, EDIT, EXTRACT, EXT, FDISK, FORMAT, MEM, PKUNZIP, RESTORE, SCANDISK, SYS and XCOPY.
Operating Systems Supported
CDBoot3 is designed for use under all versions of Windows 9x including Windows ME. Users of Windows 95 OSR1 (4.00.950 and 4.00.950a) should note that while this disk can be used under
OSR1 should the FDISK utility be used under Win95 OSR1 one MUST answer NO to the initial question "do you wish to enable large disk support". A Yes answer here results in the use of
the FAT32 file system which is not supported under and will not be recognized by Win95 OSR1.
Windows 95 OSR1 users can use FDISK to create FAT32 partitions as part of a Win95 OSR2, Win98, Win98 SE or Windows ME upgrade however as these partitions will not be recognized by the OS preloaded on the system when performing an FFR and reload of the original Win95 OSR1 operating system FAT16 must be used.
Version History
Changes in version 3.1
- Added back IBMIDECD.SYS which is to be used instead of VIDE-CDD.SYS when creating disks for use on 2159-Sxx Aptivas (done after determining that the special CONFIG.SYS /P: command line switches required in some 2159 configurations are not supported by VIDE-CDD.SYS)
- Updated the WINCD.COM utility. WinCD now verifies functioning real mode CD-ROM support and simply identifies the PATH to the Windows Setup rather than giving an option to launch the setup (launching the Windows setup via a batch file on A: was causing the setup to look towards A: as a source rather than the CD-ROM drive in some cases)
Changes in version 3.0
- Switched from using SYS.COM to create a bootable disk to using a *.DSK disk image file created in WinImage. In addition to allowing the creation of a CDBoot disk under Windows ME
(in which Microsoft has disabled the ability to make a standard system disk using SYS) CDBoot no longer relies on the user's C:\Windows\Command folder as a source, all files are now self-contained within the CDBoot executible
- Changed to a WinZip Self Extracting Software Install shell in order to simplify installation and automatically purge temp files to conserve disk space
- Unlike CDBoot2 boot disks created under Win95 OSR1 now fully support creating FAT32 partitions using FDISK, making CDBoot3 an effective alternative to an MS FAT32EBD disk for those users looking to repartition while performing a clean install of 98 or ME
Changes in version 2.3
- Added HIMEM.SYS and set MSCDEX.EXE and MOUSE.COM to load high in order to optimize conventional memory usage
Changes in version 2.2
- Removed FDISK32.EXE as it will not function due to incompatible MS-DOS version when run from a boot disk created under Win95 OSR1
Changes in version 2.1
- Added CONFIG_C.SYS, a CONFIG.SYS file with /P: switches on the line loading the real-mode CD-ROM driver to enhance real-mode CD-ROM support for owners of split-system 2159 Aptivas
- Added the files XCOPY32.EXE and XCOPY32.MOD where applicable when XCOPY is optionally added to the disk to address XCOPY failures with later versions
- Corrected a syntax error in the SET COPYCMD line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT files that resulted in a "bad command or file name" message booting with a disk created using version 2.0
changes in version 2.0
- Added the makedisk batch file utility to make creating a boot disk and adding CD-ROM support a one-step process
- Added the ability to set the CD-ROM drive letter assignment in DOS when booting with the disk via multiple AUTOEXEC.BAT files
- Added the VIDE-CDD.SYS file found on later Aptivas to ensure that the real-mode CD-ROM driver used is the file specific to the system
- Added RESTORE.EXE for file restore functionality
- Added FDISK32.EXE (a copy of FDISK which supports FAT32)
- Added the options to load various command line tools from the Command folder
- Added the online help documentation
Fine Print and Legal Stuff
CDBoot is provided totally free of charge and without any warranty on an "at your own risk" basis as a service of DON5408's Unofficial Aptiva Support Site. Although extreme care is taken at all times to do no harm the user assumes all possible risks. Don Schneider aka DON5408 accepts
no responsibility for any problems resulting from either the use or misuse of this utility and VERY strongly urges users to maintain good backup habits to avoid potential data loss.
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