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/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.)
Hi Steve,
I have quite a number of spinning drives that I am trying to make 'useful' again 6.1 RC (I am a spinning drive hoarder) and quite a number are giving me the "Device Taken Offline" error when connected via USB (with exact fault location) So no data to recover, these are spare drives that I can afford to throw away (crying uncontrollably) is it worth trying a SATA/IDE adapter in this case JUST in case they are usable, or bite the bullet and trash can away (crying again).
My disposal method is: full format drive (not quick) then put under a pillar drill and drill 6 holes completely though the whole drive, then heat until red with a blowtorch ... then trashcan
Thanks for 6.1 keep up the great work ...
Yes. SATA and IDE will always be better than USB in SpinRite 6.1. They will hopefully be equal in 7.0.
Many thanks, just remembered an old 4 bay NAS in my "hoard", just booted 6.1 from usb with one of the "error" drives inside, running great at the moment .... I will now use that as a "Spinrite" drive tester
