The Multi-Boot Odyssey: The Alluring, Elusive Floppy Disk Dream

The Alluring, Elusive Floppy Disk Dream

The quest for the perfect multi-boot system continues, and this time, we set our sights on a seemingly simple yet surprisingly tricky feat: dual-booting MS-DOS 6.22 and 7.10 from a single floppy disk.

The allure was undeniable. Imagine the flexibility! We could choose which version of DOS to install based on the specific needs of each machine in the multi-boot menagerie. The theory was elegant: since DOS 7.10 is the same version found in Windows 98, we could leverage the familiar F8 menu with a few tweaks to the MSDOS.SYS file.

Here's the magic potion:

• BootMulti=1 (enables the multi-boot menu)
• BootMenu=1 (displays the menu)
• BootGui=1 (activates the graphical menu)

And it worked! The F8 menu materialized, offering the tantalizing options of "Normal Boot" (launching DOS 7) and "Previous version of MS-DOS" (booting DOS 6). But alas, victory turned bittersweet at the first hurdle – booting into DOS 6.

The culprit? DOS 7's apparent lack of dynamism when it comes to file organization. Unlike its more versatile counterpart, DOS 7 doesn't seem to store its files in a designated directory. This creates a conflict when DOS 6 attempts to use the same files (like the crucial COMMAND.COM) located in the root directory. Furthermore, the technical limitation of having two identically named files in the same location throws another wrench into the plan.

Faced with this roadblock, we've decided to put the single-floppy DOS dream on hold. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward ideas in the world of retrocomputing can present unexpected challenges.

But wait, there's more! This setback doesn't dampen our spirits. The multi-boot odyssey continues! We'll explore alternative solutions, delve deeper into the intricacies of DOS configuration, and keep you updated on our progress. Perhaps a different approach, or a more complex dual-floppy setup, will unlock the secrets to a truly unified DOS experience within our multi-boot wonderland. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this technical adventure!