[syslinux] some thinkpad data

H. Peter Anvin hpa at zytor.com
Wed Jun 11 16:47:14 PDT 2008


Ferenc Wagner wrote:
> Hi Peter,
> 
> Here are the details of a problematic ThinkPad model (an R50e):
> 
>     BIOS version: 2.06 (1WET86WW)
>     BIOS date (YYYY-MM-DD): 2005-11-15
>     Embedded controller version: 1.04
>     System-unit serial number: 1834-S5 GL3-BRGZL
>     System board serial number: 1ZB6L5AC1E3
>     CPU Type: Intel Celeron M
>     CPU Speed: 1.40 GHz
>     Installed memory: 512 MB
> 
> Booting FreeDOS via current memdisk from an USB HDD (pendrive) fails
> with (approximately, from memory):
> 
>  - InitDiskERROR in config.sys line
> 
> On the other hand, qemu -hda /dev/sda boots FreeDOS via memdisk;
> issuing sys c: there makes the pendrive boot straight into FreeDOS:
> 
>  - InitDiskWARNING: using suspect partition Pri:1 FS 0e: with
> calculated values 0-0-50 instead of 0-1-1
> C: HD1, Pri[ 1], CHS=    0-0-50, start=   0 MB, size=  1950 MB
> 
> The above doesn't really support my theory, but would it be hard or
> possible to add a memdisk option which hides every other drive
> (eg. the pendrive itself) from DOS?

It should be possible... not really sure how much work it would be.

I have a question: if you use an external USB keyboard, does it work 
while in Syslinux?  Grub?  Linux proper?  I'm wondering if this is 
possibly related to the A20 issue...	

	-hpa




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