RAMDRIVE:
In DOS, one can take a chunk of memory and make it appear to the system as another disk. RAMDRIVE.SYS is loaded as a device driver in the CONFIG.SYS file and grabs a chunk of memory for itself, and giving your system another disk, usually one letter beyond your last physical drive, drive D: in my case. Typically, one loads this device with /E switch and LOADHIGH to minimize the footprint in DOS.
The downside is that this disk is in volatile memory and all data is lost as the machine is shut off. The upside is that this 'disk' operates at RAM speed, and is silent. Losing the contents makes it ideal for storing temporary files since they disappear automatically.
I just can't seem to get the RAMDISK included with Win98 to work.
Win98 includes RAMDISK on the bootable floppy because SETUP uses it when booting from this disk. Here, it's used to store and run programs because the installation of Win98 doesn't want to use the system's hard drive at this stage of the game. I don't know why.
I don't know if the Win98 RAMDRIVE.SYS is a 16 or 32 bit driver. I understand Win98 really prefers 32, but will use 16 rather reluctantly. Again, I don't know the full story.
Your suggestion may help if I chose to LOADHIGH RAMDISK.SYS, boot to DOS, then invoke Win98. Again, I'd rather hear about the lay of the land from another explorer before leaving my safe harbour. I'm hoping to find an easier route.
Thanks for your help and suggestions, PW. |
