Hello,
its some time, when i tried DR-DOS, it has very nice features as multitasking! But there are also some problems, because of OS ownership there is a bit mess in versions (History info). For those which dont know this is not some minor dos port its based on Gary Kildall work, which was usually better than MS-DOS, but MS made deal with IBM.
There are newer version, but last one with working multasking (its nice to switch game and some text editor for notes, or multiple games) is version - DOS 7.0.1 + update 01.06.
Here is info how to install it and whole Dos multitasking thing:
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=62270
I did lots of Dos games testing with DR-DOS to show that is viable platform:
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?p=699494#p699494 //DR-DOS compatibility tab
Most of not working games, are not working on FAT32 partion, but are working on FAT16, i did some test and it seems that problem with bad reporting of empty space and some variable overflow… even Dosbox had some problems with it.
Other problem not solved problem is multiboot, i wasnt able to just port installation to other disk, because you can start it from XP bootloader, but you need some boot sector backup from DR-DOS… but from my experience in that boot boot sector is also info about disc geometry so i wanst able to port it to other disc. Maybe someone now how to do it.
Details:
https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?p=701331#p701331
I tested it on real machine with Core Duo and its running fine, but it working fine also win Vmware and Virtualbox in MS-DOS, that could help with testing.
I thing and that this is right forum to find someone who will be able to fix that… result could be best DOS “version” i thing that it is worthy.
Edit by Fernando: Thread title shortened and customized
I a bit excepted that here someone would be interesting by this It could improve Dos experience quite a lot.
Only two years passed, perhaps you are still interested.
Have you checked out the December 2003 version of PC-DOS ? Lenovo used it on Recovery DVD sets until 2006-7.
It can see fat32 USB stick without any *.sys. On certain computers it can boot and function off a USB stick. (if the BIOS has the option of external USB floppy/CD drive) It can see 3,600mb RAM. It can see M.2sata
http://www.os2fan2.com/files/pcdos710.zip
Some new version, that is not much info.
If you have it already installed you could test some not working game from my list and let us know it is working or not… If yes this version could be better.
Also im not sure if multitasking in this version is working, because that is main point for use of alternative to MS-DOS…
I wanted to see if using this upgraded version I could make an IBM-DOS boot DVD that would boot newer machines. I managed.
Im using DR-DOS 7.0.1+patch 7.01.06 last version which is supporting multitasking…
Now we are progressing.
Managed to install IBM-dos on SSD, fat32 partition type.