showard@ucqais.uc.edu (Steve Howard) (06/05/89)
We are using a kludge that will let you boot different types
of PCs with different 3+start volumes without prompting for a volume name.
(This is very helpful in our student labs that require many different drivers
for different types of graphics cards, extended memory, etc). I thought I'd
share it with the net (see below).
This kludge doesn't require you to unassemble executable code or buy some
overpriced developers package from 3com. But, you do need an EPROM burner,
some 2732 EPROMs (about $3/each), and some time.
Another helpful note for others working with student labs (or any other
environment where your users' computer skill level is debatable)--On most Zenith
PC's, you can set your DIP switches for zero floppy drives and "boot from
winchester". This will cause the PC to ALWAYS boot your 3+Start volume
and never from diskette. (Your diskette drive(s) work fine after the machine
boots). Use this to keep people from playing flight simulator :-( and to
prevent the possibility of a user booting a virus infected floppy disk.
If you have any questions (or any good 3com tricks!!!), feel free to
send me e-mail.
----
To change default 3+Start volume without prompting for volume name:
1) Use your PROM burner software to load the contents of an original boot PROM.
2) Search for the string "bootpc.com". Rearrange the letters slightly--(I
changed the "bootpc" to "bootcp"). Do not attempt to use something that
makes sense like bootxt, bootat, etc. If you do, the POST will fail
with a PROM error, and the PC will refuse to boot. (A checksum is
performed on on the ROM during bootup).
3) Burn a new 2732 EPROM with your newly modified boot program. (You do have
enough original PROMs to be sure that you aren't violating any Copyrights
or license agreements with 3COM don't you??)
4) Do a 3F LINK to your BANNER directory.
5) Copy the BOOTPC.COM file to whatever name you chose in step #2.
(In my case, BOOTCP.COM).
6) Use Norton Utilities (or anything that will let you edit an executable
file) to load the copy you just made.
7) Search for the word "START" In version 1.1, it appears right after
the words "Unexpected error". (If you are using a different version,
you are on your own!). Change "START" to be some other 5 character
volume name. (You can use anything valid here--XT286, IBMAT, IBMXT, etc.).
Save your new program.
8) Create a new start volume with the name you chose in step #7.
9) You`re done!! The chip that you just burned will now boot to the volume
that you created in step #8. (Your original proms will still use the
original volume "START").
10) If you have any questions, send me mail at showard@uccba.uc.edu.
--
Steve Howard Univ of Cincinnati College of Business Administration
(showard@uccba.uc.edu) UUCP: {pyramid,decuac,mit-eddie}!uccba!showard