Hi all, I have built a little utility that allows CDROM and disk-caching in safe mode by using VIDE_CDD.SYS, SHSUCDX.COM, and SMARTCDX.exe. It simply loads these DOS drivers before calling WIN /d:m. It got me thinking, and I am surely not the first... Has anyone tried to get networking in 9x safe mode by loading DOS networking in the same fashion?? Surely WIN would inherit the drivers... Just wondered if anyone ever tried it to save me the time beating this dead horse?? Bruce

The question is, why would you want to? The idea of safe mode is to run windows with a minimal setup so that if windows cannot boot, you can still access the desktop without loading the programs or services that are causing the problem. You still have tools such as msconfig to isolate the problem when booting to normal mode. A standard win98 startup disk with the addition of network drivers might be an easier way to achieve what you want, albeit without the convenience of a browser.

The CD thing has been done before - DOS networking is a tad bit thornier, and the drivers aren't as generic. DOS network drivers are usually enormous memory hogs as well. There is such a thing (already) as 'Safe Mode with Network Support' Computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps only weigh 1 1/2 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949

Hi, Rimfire... As a service tech, I am often faced with boxes that are not working properly where it would be nice to just boot safe and pushh the client's data off to a server before rubbing the drive off.. or to access programs from my server to assist in fixing it for that matter...I know I can just pull the drive and shove it in a testbench, but anymore the transfers are gettin huge, and will tie up a bench for a long while... PS: JBoy- Thanks for the thoughts... I know the real mode drivers are big, and I have DOS access, FWIW, and that is precisely why I am inquiring. I am aware of the MSDOS.SYS tweak to enable network support in safe, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work... It is the same thing as WIN /D:N from a command line. Networking is not provided, however. No Login, no ping from a DOSBox. It isn't there. Perhaps there is a trick I missed. If so, let me know. THX to all Bruce

It might be prudent to mention that I too am a service tech. Although as I am located in a rural community, much of my work is not computer related. In order to access the server, you will need to load the network settings so that the client's pc can join your network. If you are concerned about the transfer time hard disk to hard disk have you considdered the amount of time and network traffic that is involved to transfer in the way you propose. I feel that it is much better to tie up one computer for ten minutes rather than an entire network for three quarters of an hour.

Yeah, I've never really investigated it, but the 'Safe Mode Networking' is an iffy proposition for sure. One thing you might try is Knoppix - I was running a new machine from the CD for a few days, prior to even installing any HDDs. It picked up the (high speed) internet connection just fine, would've been a lifesaver if I'd encountered any driver problems from Windows (although I didn't) Computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes and perhaps only weigh 1 1/2 tons. - Popular Mechanics, 1949

Rimfire: >>Rimfire wrote: "In order to access the server, you will need to load the network settings so that the client's pc can join your network." Relatively easy to do with batch if dos drivers can be employed (just speculating..). >>Rimfire wrote: "If you are concerned about the transfer time hard disk to hard disk have you considdered the amount of time and network traffic that is involved to transfer in the way you propose." Yes, I know it is heavy on the network, but I can usually get two machines pushing to the server at once and still get surfing and reasonable single file transfers, printing etc across my local LAN.. I suppose I could sub-route that server and the repair workgroup and not effect my wider LAN at all.. This all started because I put in a pre-service bench to scan incoming boxes for viruses and to handle mundane transfers... The bench has 4 stations side-by-side working off of a KVM switch (one MON & KB). I have been using a DOS/MINI98 CDROM of my own creation to boot to in each box to run AV and Diags from. While this works very well, it inevitably falls shy of what it COULD do... If I was using the box's own reg I could easily clean the reg of spyware, bad keys & etc... Hence the thought of using safe mode rather than my MINI98 in some circumstances... It would be AWESOME to be able to install Adaware, SpyBot, AV of choice, update em all, and run them right from safe mode... As far as transfers go, I only have two testbenches and two guest benches (other than the four station pre-service bench I mentioned...) They are always busy as can be doing the more intricate or hands-on stuff, most of which requires little network interaction anymore due to having already been on the pre-service bench. That's why I built the pre-service bench in the first place... to take the load off of the test benches... It really did increase my production by a TON as scanning and transfers are about the biggest bottlenecks on time that I have... RGDS. Bruce