The MASM Forum

Miscellaneous => 16 bit DOS Programming => Topic started by: Gunther on July 26, 2013, 06:24:31 AM

Title: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on July 26, 2013, 06:24:31 AM
I've installed FreeDOS inside VirtualBox. It works okay. But the exchange of files between Host and Guest is a problem. The solution described here (http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/freedos/index.php?title=VirtualBox_-_Chapter_6) doesn't work, because the driver (PCNTPK) isn't available. Has anyone a better solution?

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: avcaballero on July 26, 2013, 04:18:05 PM
I've not checked FreeDos in VirtualBox, but I have installed linux in VirtualBox and usually share a folder between host and guest, maybe this can fit to your needs ;)
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: TWell on July 26, 2013, 09:36:02 PM
Have you installed net too ? Look here (http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/freedos/index.php?title=VirtualBox_-_Chapter_5)
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on July 26, 2013, 11:25:43 PM
Hi Alfonso,

Quote from: avcaballero on July 26, 2013, 04:18:05 PM
I've not checked FreeDos in VirtualBox, but I have installed linux in VirtualBox and usually share a folder between host and guest, maybe this can fit to your needs ;)

that's not an option. The Host can give access rights for the Guest, but the Guest (FreeDOS) can't use it. Why? DOS has no NTFS and USB drivers. There is an USB driver for DOS, but it's Shareware and I'm not sure if it works.

TWell,

Quote from: TWell on July 26, 2013, 09:36:02 PM
Have you installed net too ? Look here (http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/freedos/index.php?title=VirtualBox_-_Chapter_5)

that could be the reason for the missing file. I've probably overlooked that important screen. Thank you.

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: MichaelW on July 28, 2013, 05:46:01 AM
Hi Gunther,

There is a free USB driver of sorts for DOS available here:

http://bretjohnson.us/

I and another member on the FreeBASIC forum had good results using it with the FreeBASIC DOS-DPMI version, and IIRC every feature that I tested worked, but note that my test systems were more or less old (~1996 and ~2000). I think at one point the other member used the drivers in a commercial weighing system.

Also, I had forgotten that the package includes USBDRIVE.COM, a "DOS driver for up to 8 SCSI-compatible USB Mass Storage Devices". In my test just now I was able to copy files between my MS-DOS 6.22/HDPMI32 boot diskette and a 512MB USB drive, but the system apparently cannot recognize a 4GB USB drive (or, I'm guessing, any drive >2.1GB)

Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on July 29, 2013, 12:11:04 AM
Hi Michael,

Quote from: MichaelW on July 28, 2013, 05:46:01 AM
There is a free USB driver of sorts for DOS available here:

http://bretjohnson.us/

thank you, I'll check it out.

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on July 31, 2013, 07:13:46 AM
Hi TWell,

I've now installed the necessary net software, can start the DHCP client and the FTP server, but I can't connect to the server from my guest operating system (Windows 7). I've used TotalCommander to establish the FTP connection.

Does anyone know another way to echange data between host and guest. Which application can edit the virtual disk image?

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: FORTRANS on July 31, 2013, 07:37:00 AM
Hi,

   If there is a network client installed, you could try and use it.
Try a "NET VIEW" command.  I had an MS-DOS 5.0 machine using
an IBM LAN Manager server for file and print services.  I was using
the IBM client software.  There is (was?) a Microsoft MS-DOS client
available for their LAN servers way back when.  You could download
it from their site.  Microsoft has mucked about with the protocols
some what with each release of Windows, so an older server or
peer system may be easier to see on the network.

Regards,

Steve N.
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on July 31, 2013, 07:47:31 AM
Steve,

Quote from: FORTRANS on July 31, 2013, 07:37:00 AM
Hi,

   If there is a network client installed, you could try and use it.
Try a "NET VIEW" command.  I had an MS-DOS 5.0 machine using
an IBM LAN Manager server for file and print services.  I was using
the IBM client software.  There is (was?) a Microsoft MS-DOS client
available for their LAN servers way back when.  You could download
it from their site.  Microsoft has mucked about with the protocols
some what with each release of Windows, so an older server or
peer system may be easier to see on the network.

Regards,

Steve N.

good hint, but here's the problem: After installing FreeDOS inside VirtualBox I've to load the appropriate drivers (config.sys or autoexec.bat). But how to insert the files into the VDI file? The same is true for USB drivers etc.

I've found that WinMount can mount vdi images, but it's not free. I'm searching for a similar tool.

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Rockphorr on July 31, 2013, 03:18:45 PM
Quote from: Gunther on July 31, 2013, 07:47:31 AM
Steve,

Quote from: FORTRANS on July 31, 2013, 07:37:00 AM
Hi,

   If there is a network client installed, you could try and use it.
Try a "NET VIEW" command.  I had an MS-DOS 5.0 machine using
an IBM LAN Manager server for file and print services.  I was using
the IBM client software.  There is (was?) a Microsoft MS-DOS client
available for their LAN servers way back when.  You could download
it from their site.  Microsoft has mucked about with the protocols
some what with each release of Windows, so an older server or
peer system may be easier to see on the network.

Regards,

Steve N.

good hint, but here's the problem: After installing FreeDOS inside VirtualBox I've to load the appropriate drivers (config.sys or autoexec.bat). But how to insert the files into the VDI file? The same is true for USB drivers etc.

I've found that WinMount can mount vdi images, but it's not free. I'm searching for a similar tool.

Gunther


Write required files to iso and attach it to virtual drive of cd/dvd

Rockphorr
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: sinsi on July 31, 2013, 06:23:05 PM
WinImage can create virtual floppy discs. Another possible way is to create a new virtual hard drive as a VHD, Windows 7 can mount them (with a bit of hassle), Windows 8 does it natively. Mount it as a second hard drive in VirtualBox.
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on August 02, 2013, 09:22:18 AM
So, I've solved the problem. An easy way to exchange files between host and guest (the guest is DOS, of course) is to use the FTP server which comes with FreeDOS. The tricky point is, to set the network adapter to Bridged Adapter. The FTP session can be established with Total Commander (Norton Clone); it works fine and fast.

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: japheth on August 02, 2013, 03:19:02 PM
Quote from: MichaelW on July 28, 2013, 05:46:01 AM
There is a free USB driver of sorts for DOS available here:

http://bretjohnson.us/

Regrettably, Bret Johnson's USB drivers support UHCI only - and AFAICS, VirtualBox's USB emulation is restricted to OHCI ( and EHCI ). 

Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on August 02, 2013, 10:47:47 PM
Andreas,

Quote from: japheth on August 02, 2013, 03:19:02 PM
Regrettably, Bret Johnson's USB drivers support UHCI only - and AFAICS, VirtualBox's USB emulation is restricted to OHCI ( and EHCI ). 

is there another free alternative? I'm to lazy to write my own driver.

Gunther
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: goofprog on September 15, 2013, 07:53:42 PM
You are working too hard.  Make a extra storage device on your virtual and mount it.
Title: Re: FreeDOS with VirtualBox
Post by: Gunther on September 15, 2013, 08:10:52 PM
Hi goofprog,

first things first: Welcome to the forum. I hope, you'll have fun.

Quote from: goofprog on September 15, 2013, 07:53:42 PM
You are working too hard.  Make a extra storage device on your virtual and mount it.

I hope you've read all posts in this thread. If so, you will have noticed that we have corresponded about a virtual DOS machine. Mounting with DOS? Do you really know what you write?

The tricky point is the data exchange in both directions (from host to guest and from guest to host). And by the way, it is basically nothing wrong to post into several months old threads, but those posts should have at least a bit substance and relevance. No offense.

Gunther