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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.
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[SOLVED] -- v6.0 CD boots to Spinrite splash screen and goes blank
#4
ColbyBouma
ColbyBouma
That should be new enough to boot from USB. Make sure Legacy USB Support is set to Auto, and make sure your USB drive is connected before you power on the machine. Then you should be able to set it as the first drive from the Boot Device Priority menu.
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5Q3/E4139_P5Q3_manual.zip?model=P5Q3
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5Q3/E4139_P5Q3_manual.zip?model=P5Q3
Code:
Legacy USB Support [Auto]
Allows you to enable or disable the support for legacy USB devices. Setting to
[Auto] allows the system to detect the presence of USB devices at startup. If
detected, the USB controller legacy mode is enabled. If no USB device is detected,
the legacy USB support is disabled.
Configuration options: [Disabled] [Enabled] [Auto]
#6
D
DarkwinX
D
DarkwinX
@DanR they are using 6.0 not 6.1, hence the 6.0/5.0 forum 
.
I was a teen when 6.0 was released so if there were release issues with that too then ignore me.
.I was a teen when 6.0 was released so if there were release issues with that too then ignore me.
#11
R
Randywfl
R
Randywfl
FYI -- I also downloaded (forget how) v 6.1 as follows:
If there is a 6.2 available, don't know how to find it.
If there is a 6.2 available, don't know how to find it.
#15
D
DanR
D
DanR
Don't know about the Guru thing . . . . . . just trying to help.
SpinRite 6.0 should NOT be used to create a bootable USB (it can) because it will have a very OLD version of FreeDOS on it (not the best for SpinRite 6.1).
But there is an easy work around. Run the sr61.exe (that you just downloaded) as a Windows app. Then follow its instructions, with a USB drive ready to insert when prompted.
This will provide you with a bootable USB stick with SpinRite 6.1 on it.
Now put a copy of SpinRite 6.0 on it, and rename it so it does not conflict with the SpinRite 6.1 exe file on the drive.
For example, you will see a spinrite.exe already on there. That will be SpinRite 6.1 release 2.
Just copy SpinRite 6.0 with a different name, e.g. sr60.exe. You are now ready to go.
When booting with this USB drive, SR61 will auto launch with it's splash screen. After exiting SR to the C:\> prompt, you may run either version of SR as desired.
I see you are already ahead of me , but I am posting anyway as there is some good info in here.
Edit: DUH! SR 6.0 did NOT precede USB. What was I thinking? Possibly thinking BIOS - that DID precede USB. Anyway, I have corrected my SpinRite 6.0 comment.
. . . just trying to help. SpinRite 6.0 should NOT be used to create a bootable USB (it can) because it will have a very OLD version of FreeDOS on it (not the best for SpinRite 6.1).
But there is an easy work around. Run the sr61.exe (that you just downloaded) as a Windows app. Then follow its instructions, with a USB drive ready to insert when prompted.
This will provide you with a bootable USB stick with SpinRite 6.1 on it.
Now put a copy of SpinRite 6.0 on it, and rename it so it does not conflict with the SpinRite 6.1 exe file on the drive.
For example, you will see a spinrite.exe already on there. That will be SpinRite 6.1 release 2.
Just copy SpinRite 6.0 with a different name, e.g. sr60.exe. You are now ready to go.
When booting with this USB drive, SR61 will auto launch with it's splash screen. After exiting SR to the C:\> prompt, you may run either version of SR as desired.
I see you are already ahead of me
, but I am posting anyway as there is some good info in here.Edit: DUH! SR 6.0 did NOT precede USB. What was I thinking? Possibly thinking BIOS - that DID precede USB. Anyway, I have corrected my SpinRite 6.0 comment.
#16
ColbyBouma
Edit: I changed the screenshot to a more relevant section of the instructions.
ColbyBouma
It can format USB drives.
Edit: I changed the screenshot to a more relevant section of the instructions.
#18
R
Randywfl
R
Randywfl
No Joy I used BIOS settings as shown above with USB drive plugged in at boot, but booted into windows 7 on the 2nd boot device. Guess I can try burning 6.1 ISO onto CD and try going that way again. My last blank CD
I used BIOS settings as shown above with USB drive plugged in at boot, but booted into windows 7 on the 2nd boot device. Guess I can try burning 6.1 ISO onto CD and try going that way again. My last blank CD
#21
Steve
Steve
#25
R
Randywfl
R
Randywfl
6.1 CD finished level 2 scan on my little laptop hard drive and came through with no errors except for S.M.A.R.T. System Monitor showing 100/200 seek errors and red dots half way across that line. Don't know what that means, but I really expected to see some errors and repairs so I decided to give it another run on level 4. So far its looking like it's my laptop that is defective
#26
ColbyBouma
There are many SpinRite testimonials where a Level 2 scan didn't report fixing anything, but the drive worked after the scan. Sometimes just forcing a drive to read everything makes it see there's a problem, and it silently fixes itself in the background. You won't know for sure until you put the drive back in the laptop and try it.
ColbyBouma
100/200 Seek Errors is a Western Digital quirk. I've seen it in many WD drives. I don't know what it means, but as far as I can tell, it is not a sign of a faulty drive.6.1 CD finished level 2 scan on my little laptop hard drive and came through with no errors except for S.M.A.R.T. System Monitor showing 100/200 seek errors and red dots half way across that line. Don't know what that means, but I really expected to see some errors and repairs so I decided to give it another run on level 4. So far its looking like it's my laptop that is defective
There are many SpinRite testimonials where a Level 2 scan didn't report fixing anything, but the drive worked after the scan. Sometimes just forcing a drive to read everything makes it see there's a problem, and it silently fixes itself in the background. You won't know for sure until you put the drive back in the laptop and try it.
#30
R
Randywfl
R
Randywfl
Uhh ohhhh. What happened?? Laptop was happily scanning away on level 2 with about 30 minutes left to complete, but suddenly the screen went blank, the drive light went out and even the power light went out. Power brick still showing it has power.
Hmmm, Now the power light is back on but that is the only sign of life. Very strange.
Hit the power switch one time and its booting back up into spinrite. What now? Guess I will try for Windows boot on the hard drive. No windows boot -- drive light just stays lit up for a while and finally goes out again. No Joy there. Oh well
Hmmm, Now the power light is back on but that is the only sign of life. Very strange.
Hit the power switch one time and its booting back up into spinrite. What now? Guess I will try for Windows boot on the hard drive. No windows boot -- drive light just stays lit up for a while and finally goes out again. No Joy there. Oh well
#35
Steve
Steve
#39
D
DanR
It sounds like you have the heat problem solved. When Level 3 is complete the drive should have faster performance. Windows might even boot again.
D
DanR
It sounds like you have the heat problem solved. When Level 3 is complete the drive should have faster performance. Windows might even boot again.
#40
R
Randywfl
The little laptop was a portable workstation but I can't work any more since the brain surgery that removed "a mass" from my brain the size of the average door knob so I'm not really worried about the little laptop. If only spinrite could work on what's left of my brain
R
Randywfl
Nope. Windows did not boot but I think we proved the drive is healthy so I think my last resort is to get an external USB/Sata case and use it as a backup drive for my new laptop.Windows might even boot again.
The little laptop was a portable workstation but I can't work any more since the brain surgery that removed "a mass" from my brain the size of the average door knob so I'm not really worried about the little laptop. If only spinrite could work on what's left of my brain
#41
D
DanR
D
DanR
It would seem that SpinRite has found the drive healthy. I would check it periodically with SpinRite just in case. Good luck!
I suspect the LT may have other overheat damage as a result of a dirty/faulty cooling fan.
I suspect the LT may have other overheat damage as a result of a dirty/faulty cooling fan.