Yep, the AMD models are way too new to even think about CSM. The first AMD models (IIRC, the same year the Framework 16 came out, which is only AMD) may have actually been the first time Framework used DDR5.
-
DNS Benchmark v2 Release 5 with Consultant License Guest:
If you own any earlier release of our DNS Benchmark you may immediately download its release #5 replacement. Running an earlier release will detect the new release and help you upgrade.
Although this release is cosmetic, appearance matters and affects ease of use. The biggest change, as seen in the image above, is that the DNS Benchmark now has a traditional Windows application menu to more fully expose its many features. This release is also "Consultant License Aware" and GRC will now issue a Consultant version when owners have previously purchased four "Personal Use" licenses. If you have previously purchased four DNSB licenses, or if you wish to upgrade your "Personal Use" license to Consultant, GRC's purchase process will direct you through that process.
/Steve. -
Be sure to checkout “Tips & Tricks” Dear Guest Visitor → Once you register and log-in please checkout the “Tips & Tricks” page for some very handy tips!
/Steve. -
BootAble – FreeDOS boot testing freeware
To obtain direct, low-level access to a system's mass storage drives, SpinRite runs under a GRC-customized version of FreeDOS which has been modified to add compatibility with all file systems. In order to run SpinRite it must first be possible to boot FreeDOS.
GRC's “BootAble” freeware allows anyone to easily create BIOS-bootable media in order to workout and confirm the details of getting a machine to boot FreeDOS through a BIOS. Once the means of doing that has been determined, the media created by SpinRite can be booted and run in the same way.
The participants here, who have taken the time to share their knowledge and experience, their successes and some frustrations with booting their computers into FreeDOS, have created a valuable knowledgebase which will benefit everyone who follows.
You may click on the image to the right to obtain your own copy of BootAble. Then use the knowledge and experience documented here to boot your computer(s) into FreeDOS. And please do not hesitate to ask questions – nowhere else can better answers be found.
(You may permanently close this reminder with the 'X' in the upper right.)
Add Intel NUC 10th gen (Model: NUC10i7FNB Bios Version: FNCML357.0052.2021.0409.1144 Date: 2021-04-09)
I've been fighting to get my GL703 to Boot an run Spinrite with no luck. Now have checked the Forum and see your post. Shudda looked sooner and saved time...
Next, I'll give my ASUS Maximus Hero VI a further try.
@Galen Have you seen this forum thread: https://forums.grc.com/threads/using-csmwrap-to-get-bios-on-uefi-only-systems.2129/
Here's my device. I have tried any number of ways to boot SpinRite, including turning off Secure Boot, but legacy mode is simply not available. The system was purchased in June 2024. Here are the system details:
System Model HP Z2 Tower G9 Workstation Desktop PC
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU A1NY1UT#ABA
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-14900, 2000 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 32 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date HP U50 Ver. 03.01.03, 2024-02-22
SMBIOS Version 3.6
Embedded Controller Version 18.03
BIOS Mode UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer HP
BaseBoard Product 895C
BaseBoard Version KBC Version 12.03.13
I'm going to have to get a used old tower to do my testing, sinced I recycled all my old ones!
...and thanks for illuminating the mystery for me!
D.
System Model HP Z2 Tower G9 Workstation Desktop PC
System Type x64-based PC
System SKU A1NY1UT#ABA
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-14900, 2000 Mhz, 24 Core(s), 32 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date HP U50 Ver. 03.01.03, 2024-02-22
SMBIOS Version 3.6
Embedded Controller Version 18.03
BIOS Mode UEFI
BaseBoard Manufacturer HP
BaseBoard Product 895C
BaseBoard Version KBC Version 12.03.13
I'm going to have to get a used old tower to do my testing, sinced I recycled all my old ones!
...and thanks for illuminating the mystery for me!
D.
Depending on price, please be aware of the ZimaBoard as it is around $150 or less all in (depending on sales) and is what Steve used to do his development.
Last edited by a moderator:
I understand now. It still confounds me that such a helpful feature was removed at Intel's insistence. Legacy mode sure beats recycling!
Well, shucks! Steve talked about how great ZimaBoard is for testing drives. I was going to get one but I thought why not wait for ZimaBoard2? And now that ZimaBoard2 has arrived I have learned that ZimaBoard2 can only boot UEFI. Much sadness has resulted.
@drstephencw
Have you seen this forum thread: https://forums.grc.com/threads/using-csmwrap-to-get-bios-on-uefi-only-systems.2129/
Have you seen this forum thread: https://forums.grc.com/threads/using-csmwrap-to-get-bios-on-uefi-only-systems.2129/
Well, I can get my two vintage laptops (one a Dell, the other a Macbook) to boot from the GRC ReadSpeed FreeDos usb stick, however both machines came up with the same error: "Performing action: APMDOS. If APMDOS slows down any app, use ADV:REG instead. APM not available, skipping APM setup. Going resident". Then is shows the c:\ prompt. And trying to run rs.exe again does nothing. I also tried the error suggestion by entering at the prompt, fdapm: adv:reg. to no avail.
So I would say the Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop (2006) and the Apple MacBook 5,1 (late 2008), can boot to DOS, but won't run the ReadSpeed (rs.exe) utility due to the APM error. Thanks to forum member Scott for the great instructions on how to DOS boot a mac.
Oh, and i almost forgot since it was so long and three machines ago, my other unsuccesful attempt to boot the FreeDos usb stick is with an MSI motherboard (B460M Pro vdh, circa 2020) that conforms to the rigid Intel standard of not allowing a legacy DOS boot, other than UEFI.
So I would say the Dell Inspiron E1505 laptop (2006) and the Apple MacBook 5,1 (late 2008), can boot to DOS, but won't run the ReadSpeed (rs.exe) utility due to the APM error. Thanks to forum member Scott for the great instructions on how to DOS boot a mac.
Oh, and i almost forgot since it was so long and three machines ago, my other unsuccesful attempt to boot the FreeDos usb stick is with an MSI motherboard (B460M Pro vdh, circa 2020) that conforms to the rigid Intel standard of not allowing a legacy DOS boot, other than UEFI.
If you do have a SpinRite generated USB stick handy, you can easily update your ReadSpeed USB stick as follows:
Grab a copy of kernel.sys and config.sys off of the SpinRite USB stick.
Drop them on your ReadSpeed USB stick and let them overwrite the old files on there. Now your ReadSpeed USB stick will be using the latest GRC FreeDOS. with the latest config.sys settings. It works!
02/20/26 Edit: Tip: Also copy EDIT.COM from the SR USB stick and drop that on your ReadSpeed USB stick.
Grab a copy of kernel.sys and config.sys off of the SpinRite USB stick.
Drop them on your ReadSpeed USB stick and let them overwrite the old files on there. Now your ReadSpeed USB stick will be using the latest GRC FreeDOS. with the latest config.sys settings. It works!
02/20/26 Edit: Tip: Also copy EDIT.COM from the SR USB stick and drop that on your ReadSpeed USB stick.
Last edited:
I downloaded a fresh new copy of ReadSpeed from grc.com and formatted/installed on a USB stick. After booting to DOS the ReadSpeed.exe utility runs correctly without errors now on my old Mac and Dell laptops. Something got improved for legacy machine functionality with the newer downloads. Thanks so much!
Last edited:
ReadSpeed has not been updated since it was released in Dec 2020.
Presumably something was altered on your non-functioning ReadSpeed USB stick, causing it to not function properly.
If you have SpinRite 6.1 available see my post (above) for updating GRC FreeDOS on your ReadSpeed USB drive:
Similar threads
- Contains 1 staff post(s)
