putting a machine together, some questions

[banning]

In response to the question regarding *nix, DOS, and OS/2 on the same drive:

     I have all three booting from the same drive.  I have:

          SCO Unix V/386 3.2 Maint Supp A.
          Everex (a la MS) DOS 3.3
          Everex (a la MS) OS/2 1.1
          Everex 386/33
          DTC ESDI disk controller
          CDC Wren V Drive
          MS bus mouse - bummer it only has 2 buttons!
          Everex 60mb (3M DC600A) cartridge drive (I think it works with the
            Sun, I am about to try it.)

     Now, the Unix documentation claims that one can not do this!  But here is
how I have successfully done the very thing they said could not be done:

    1) Partition drive:
       A) 1st partition: DOS, Primary.
          NOT larger than 32mb.
          MUST start on track 1!!! - room for *nix boot block.
          DO NOT use Disk Manager or any other funky "super partition" stuff.
       B) 2nd partiton: DOS, Extended - if desired.
          NO Limit on size.
          MUST NOT use Disk Manager or any other funky stuff.
          Use simple DOS extended partition - this is so OS/2 can find it!
       C) *nix partition - rest of drive.

    2) Low level format drive.
    3) Install DOS Primanry and Extended Partitions.  NOT *nix-let it do that. 
    4) Format DOS Primary and Extended Partitions with DOS.  Use /s option
       to transfer the boot block and system to drive.
    5) Install reset of DOS utilities.

    6) Boot and install OS/2 with the installation utilities.  I recommend
       Everex's port of OS/2 1.1 - it is very solid compared to others.  Wait
       for 1.2 and 2.0 for a while.  NOT stable!

    7) When installing OS/2 DO NOT reformat the partition.

    8) Install the Dual Boot option.  This allows you to start OS/2 or DOS
       when booting from the Primary DOS partition.

    9) Install *nix via the manufacturer's directions.
       NOTE: be sure to set the *nix partition to the active state.

   10) When booting *nix (on most ports) enter 'dos' at the 'boot' prompt.
       this will logically activate the dos partition and boot from it BUT..
       you have the dual boot option selected so you will be asked to start
       OS/2 or DOS .... you pick.   

      Neat, eh?

If you have questions, give me a call
(812) 331-1142 evenings.
bbanning at silver.ucs.indiana.edu