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Sorry, im dont know too much about Paragon, but error message looks read only, where i should change that LBA options? I could be wrong, but looks complaining style of message, in list is missing Windows 98 line and i cant assing any letter to ntfs partions. It think that you LBA check reporting ok status. Microfreezes: I dont know anything specific about it, only that on some machines i having them, i dont remember that on original Windows 9x machine. I can measure them, i will post Fraps log with frames per second, game running smooth around 90 FPS (there would be some cap in game or drivers, 90 is enough so i dont care), but every 15-40 second, there are freze as i said 200-500 ms, its not occasional.. is periodic, no 1 minute without it and its in all games which i tested.. Game is wanting on sometime. You already mentioned similar mouse freeze, in discussion about NVsize patch a optimal INT patch. Would help something like list of device or interrupts, or its possible to do some logging what system exactly doing? Ram limit: Ok, didnt know what you means by this sentense in context of patch, its pretty generic statement.. I there would be something about, that you could have much less than 3GB, it would be better for understanding of text. Im ok with 2.5 GB of RAM, i dont care, even 512 MB would be enough for gaming. Worst results which i saw in 32 bit was only 9xx MB, is on modern MB, were vender is lazy to do proper memory map for 32 systems.. Jaclaz i think too had MB with 1500 MB. I would be nice if in every MB manual would be something like this from Supermicro: Ok but was unclean, if this is related to amount physical RAM, or RAM after patch.. I have used himemX because of memory limitation options.. and for too Dos as Himem.sys replacement for use of EMM386 to access to extended memory or clean lower 640 Kb conventional Ram. So with your patch and less than 2.75 GB i can know use original unpatched hymem.sys? I even didnt know that himemex and Himemx are 2 different things.. IO.sys to be honest i dont even know, for what is this file used, is only for Windows boot, or its still used after Windows boot, for "normal" system usage?

AMD970: Ok i have installed RAMPatch + SPLIT8MB patch, without it machien didnt boot.. Good news is that even with Intel Gigabite controller im now able to boot each time.. Bad news is that i still have microfreezes (around 300-500ms) in games => computer is still not ready for gaming, so probably we need to mess with IRQs.. + himem.sys - crash - see bellow To RAM patch: 1) i dont understand ram amount size, i have 12 GB of RAM, but in Windows 98 i see 2472 MB (i dont mind that it is not full size, but nowhere in documentation find something like Ram amount parameter), or logic why its 2472 (my guest is something like all 32 bit adress space - space for 512MB of GPU and other devices, but documentation is silent about it..) 2) I got crash, when i enabled Config sys line with Himem.sys (no Himemx.sys) /Numhadles switch.. So im now booting without himem line at all. How patch coexist with already installed himemx and patched io.sys for 512 MB boot? I think that most of users use this, before your patch is installed.. In documentation is only something cryptic about himemx with prohook. 3) You mentioned RAMdisks, can i use some generic ramdisk app, or i need again some special paid version for you? // I dont need it, too much i just asking..

I tried to find controller through SIV info, i found only one and regarding of pci id database was Intel USB 3. In bios is EHCI Hand-off, have tried all combinations.. but i maybe did something wrong with nUSB, or its not working for my USB controller, i dont know.. ---------- USB related USB settings (manual copy paste): XHCI Mode Allows you to determine the operating mode for the xHCI controller in OS. Smart Auto This mode is available only when the BIOS supports the xHCI controller in the pre-boot environment. This mode is similar to Auto, but it adds the capability to route the ports to xHCI or EHCI according to setting used in previous boots (for non-G3 boot) in the pre-boot environment. This allows the use of USB 3.0 devices prior to OS boot. xHCI controller enabling and rerouting should follow the steps in Auto, when previous boot routs ports to EHCI. Note: This is the recommended mode when BIOS has xHCI preboot support. (Default) Auto BIOS routes the sharable ports to EHCI controller. Then it uses ACPI protocols to provide an option to enable the xHCI controller and reroute the sharable ports. Note: This is the recommended mode when BIOS does NOT have xHCI pre-boot support. Enabled All shared ports are eventually routed to the xHCI controller during the BIOS boot process. If BIOS does not have pre-boot support for the xHCI controller, it should initially route the sharable ports to the EHCI controller and then prior to OS boot it should route the ports to xHCI controller. Note: OS has to provide support for the xHCI controller in this mode. If the OS does not provide support, all sharable ports won't work. - 29 - Disabled The USB 3.0 ports are routed to the EHCI controller and the xHCI controller is turned off. All USB 3.0 devices ---------- Legacy USB Support Allows USB keyboard/mouse to be used in MS-DOS. (Default: Enabled) ----------- XHCI Hand-off Determines whether to enable XHCI Hand-off feature for an operating system without XHCI Hand-off support. (Default: Enabled) ------- EHCI Hand-off Determines whether to enable EHCI Hand-off feature for an operating system without EHCI Hand-off support. (Default: Disabled)

AMD970 : I cant play games because i have freezes, it looks like that freezes are gone were gone, after i change NIC, but now i can boot with NIC enabled, because i got some VFAT error, so if RAM patch will make my machine boot and your Nvidia patch will give full Nvidia older cards experience, it will fix my gaming, i have problem with all games, i know that there will still some W9x issues, but now, i have HW/OS general issue.. I just ordered Ram limitation patch for vfat fix, i will write more later - i have to go to sleep 5 AM here.. Conroe865: Drivers for http://www.asrock.com/MB/Intel/ConRoe865PE/index.asp#osW98 are still online, you just need to download file and extract data from *.exe by using 7zip, or install it in virtual machine and revert to snapshot before installing. RFdisk patch - Probably last patch which i didnt buy for know You again a bit lost me, you wrote in the past this: So i already bought your patch to support hdd up to 2 TB and with one more patch, Paragon would be ok with disk and i will be able to access my ntfs partitions through Paragon.. Im right or not? I dont use Grub4dos, just "native" Linux grub, but i think that i would almost same or same from MBR code, i never used grub4dos, because i always using native Linux too beside Windows ones..

Hi thanks for long reply. I know that Gigabyte boards have such option (in which slot is primary GPU), but what it means for Windows 98 are they ignoring this options, or can use with this card in second for Windows 98? I didnt study too much about 870, because i already know that i will use 970 chipset.. I agree with this, but this i cant test anything in XP, as i said my stronger card is Win 7+ and Geforce 7950GT i hope would be good enough for XP only games. There is unofficial INF mod for G970 / G980 drivers to work with XP, its running well, otherwise only G960 is supported. Ok its great, so we can remove board from equation.. When i were buying board, i dind care about SLI and PCI-E Gen2 4x is still good enough for me.. I searched for board with 3x PCI slot, i didnt find any so i bough just cheap Asus board, which all parameters which i needed. Thats nice. For our case, so Geforce 960 and Geforce 950 worked for dual stunt? And can you just try to connect DVI and test, if you configuration could this work (it will take some time than i can get new right cable)? My monitor has not vga input at all. Its strange because i never saw such device in my system, i had PCI VGA adapter or card detected as Nvidia card.. Its not in device list, could you pleas check what inf it using etc? Summary (where could be difference): - Windows configuration issue, related to Microsoft basic display adapter. - It could be video cable. Tested with DVI to VGA - not my problem. - It could be GPU vendor - but not big chance, but MSI are sometimes more lazy than im.. - It could be GPU type - but not big chance, Pascal GPU too new for this? Am i missing something? ----- I really wan to see that Nvidia panel screenshot to post it on Nvidia forum, were people saying that it could not work. Here you can see, that i could produce some looks goods like picture too, but its not working at all, used driver is VGA save (there is message that its driver dont support plug and play) something.. I would really like to see same pictures data from your machine..

Lets do some research: I wonder if someone with working this patch, are using Vmware and Virtualbox on that machine, because both has lots of virtual drivers? There could be my problem..

Quick question made someone this patch working with Intel USB3/2 MB integrated controller?

I wasnt on my primary living location, but in my city lair in Prague, so resources were limited so not PCI or Win98x compatible PCI-E car there, i just wanted something better than 640x480x16, i have tried Microsoft Super VGA driver - no go for Radeon X1300. Audigy i depends, there some models of Audigy 1+2 compatible with W98, i made Audigy 1 - SB0160 worked in other board, there is 95%+ percent chance that it would work with this board. Audio: Realtek 887, i dont think that is backcompatible with AC97 or SB, so i didnt even tried, but yes Sound card device was detected. USB, there was problem with USB hardware detection, because of faulty GPU used for installation.. i got pretty clean hardware device tree, most of devices were detected after addition of PCI bus device, i had some very strange mouse behavior, it worked (mouse cursor movent was there about somehow broken, position detection was wrong) even without OS driver - no USB controller at all.. USB PCI controller was detected, but i never get USB hub device working, everytime problem with driver (so no usb device detected at all), in tried every bios USB related setting, nUSB 3.6 driver, but hub never worked.. Board have only Intel USB 3/2 controller, i wonder if somehow made it working in Win98? LAN: In manual is only Realtek PCIE 1 GB/s as type nothing more, regarding of SIV info, it should be some Realtek 8169, i have tried Realtek PCIE- Gigabite driver, device was detected, but not worked, i think that someone here said that Realtek PCI-E are no go, maybe some DOS driver magic..

I just tested Gigabyte Z97P-D3 its working, booting into fully installed Windows 98 and there its stable, i used only PCI-E GPU in VGA mode (Its working with Russian Bear drivers) and IDE controller in PCI slot.. i didnt tested anything special, Sata in IDE mode - running - no MS-DOS mode, but i dont have any connected device. No USB for now.

Conroe: What step do you recommend to do? MagicISO, i can uninstall it, but its on AMD 970 machine too. Im not expert in Intel inf files, which INFs you means, ICH5IDE - or something like that, because there other intel chipset drivers, which i should delete, right? I would like to be just user and let care patch care of such things This is even more lowlevel.. You lost me, so ESDI_506.B_K and not ESDI_506.PDR not visible in IOSYS directory is ok, i mean visibly by explorer with enabled show hidden and system files? AMD 970: My system is just AMD 970 /SB 950 Asus board, exact model was mentioned above.. 8 GB of DDR3 1600 + Geforce 7950GT 512 MB PCIE, PS2 mouse and keyboard, maybe disabled additional GPU in second slot for modern OS, now its not working in modern OSes - but later - after all will working, Intel 1000 MT Desktop adapter - PCI, USB Audio (if it will work easily Audigy 0160, later.. Good USB audio maybe could be enough) . Sata 64 GB SSD with Windows 98 + Windows 7 and Windows XP + 2 TB Data HDD, in future Sata DVD ROM - again later, i know have all hardware just on desk, after i make it working, i will place it into case. I dont know if it helped you to say if RAM patch make machine play games without modern HW issues.. and other patch will enable large HDD with NTFS partitions (but later, games first) ? Bigger HDD access - I would like to edit partitions and update MBR with tools like Partion Wizzard, Paragon HDD, IOMEI, Acronis Disk Director, Gparted, R-Drive image think when restore image make some MBR updates too etc.. so special W9x MBR is not ideal for me, if is possible i need some patch to work with HDD is it is, im not using anything special just MBR with Extended block, primary 3 partitions + some logical.. I dont know if it matters, but im using grub bootloader everywhere, where i could. FS - FAT32 for Windows 98, NTFS for modern Wins, EXT4 for Linux - i dont care about it in W9x, no swap, no special linux partitions for home, opt, boot etc.. just one.

Ok, maybe my dirty way, but i did it. Its quicker and transparent.. I simply use this: http://www.howtonetworking.com/Windows/bootableusb.htm // tutorial - which probably format usb as system bootable device and and 3 copy basic files, needed to be msdos bootable drive after that i copied Win98 directory from install cd to root + all Win98 files from zip from tutorial (it can formater will copy whole folder, but it didnt) + and replaced io.sys patched io.sys for 512 more ram - is everywhere on internet even on this forum. Bios optimal, if you have such possibility have can see USB flash as USB FDD Forced - to boot into dos as A: driver, otherwise you will boot as C: and other devices would be D,E, and yeah you could install Windows right on flash from which was installation started.. Optimal step is add smartdrive file from WIn98 cd to usb.. // Regarding of local gurus - install would be quicker boot from flash in commandline write this: cd win98 setup /is /im /ie -- parameters are probably not neceserry, im only lazy pig, so im skipping what i can, when i see old Scandisk its ripping my dignity.. -You are in gui, you could install Windows 98, install is complete. After first reboot, if you met >512 MB insufficient problem, you have to patch io.sys and install himemx.exe (free from internet - yoy could add it on install flashdisk, for files editation use edit.com text editor is better than today Linux free nano text editor..) and add himex line to config sys: DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.EXE /MAX=1048576 /NUMHANDLES=64 /METHOD:FAST /VERBOSE // ITs for 1 GB, parameters could be tuned, but for first boot its enough.. Other recommanded change for 1st boot is C:\Windows\system.ini new line: [386Enh] MaxPhysPage=40000 Install took 2,3 minutes. Advantage from EasyToBoot solution, that you dont need ramdisk, so you dont need have to 1 GB (650 MB CD) of Mem or ripp original CD image, and second advantage is time, for EasyToBoot you need to do lots of their specific magical waste of time. (as i said on Core Duo machine i copied files to Ramdisk maybe hour - full 650 MB CD) Could could disable cores, powermanagment, disable device etc.. but i never needed it for my installation. I have installed Windows 98 with this hardware: - Z97 + core Core i5 quad + AMD970/SB + FX 8 core + X99 + 16 GB DDR4, i didnt border to disable any Hardware at all, all was enabled, LAN, NIC, Sata, 3 GPU (integrated + 2 PCI-E GPUs) i didnt care - IDE to Compact flash adapter - is target of install was in PCI IDE controller some old SIL Medley 0680 something.. - PS2 keyboard i dont understand how, but it somehow detected even USB mouse in USB 2 hub, but cursor moving detection and resolution mapping was strange i disconnected it - GPU PCI-E Geforce 8400 GS in first slot with DVI LCD 24 HP.. Yes GagaBite(GIgabyte) bios can force slot for primary GPU, i just tested this card for installation, it doesnt matters, picture was slighly broken (later i checked that was probably because of some that video card memory, Radeon X1300 worked fine).. Im not at main lair so no proper PCI GPU, PS2 mouse and other old fashion here..

When im tring to start Task manager im getting MMC has detected an error window, after that im getting this: FX:{c7b8fb06-bfe1-4c2e-9217-7a69a95bbac4} Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. Exception type: System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException Exception stack: at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Executive.MmcThreadMessageWindow.OnThreadException(Exception e) at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam) at System.Windows.Forms.SafeNativeMethods.MessageBox(HandleRef hWnd, String text, String caption, Int32 type) at System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.ShowCore(IWin32Window owner, String text, String caption, MessageBoxButtons buttons, MessageBoxIcon icon, MessageBoxDefaultButton defaultButton, MessageBoxOptions options, Boolean showHelp) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Advanced.MessageBoxParameters.ShowDialog(IWin32Window parent) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Internal.ConsoleDialogHost.ShowDialog(WaitCursor waitCursor, ShowDialogCallback callback) at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.MMCConsole.ShowDialog(MessageBoxParams messageParams) at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.DisplayError.UserError(String errorString) at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.UITaskBase.ShowServiceIsDownMessage(Exception e, Boolean restartService) at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.UITaskFolder.GetUITaskList(Object sender, DoWorkEventArgs eWorker, Boolean loadTaskDefinitions, Boolean includeHiddenTasks) at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.TaskDetailControl.EnumerateTasksAndAddToList() at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.TaskDetailControl.RefreshData(Boolean firstRefresh) at Microsoft.Windows.ManagementUI.CombinedControls.TaskDetailControl.InitializeTaskDetailControl() at Microsoft.TaskScheduler.SnapIn.TaskSchedFolderFormViewControl.Microsoft.ManagementConsole.IFormViewControl.Initialize(FormView snapinFormView) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.FormView.InternalInitialize() at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.View.HandleInitializationRequest(IRequestStatus requestStatus) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.View.ProcessRequest(Request request) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.ViewMessageClient.ProcessRequest(Request request) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Internal.IMessageClient.ProcessRequest(Request request) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Executive.RequestStatus.BeginRequest(IMessageClient messageClient, RequestInfo requestInfo) at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Executive.SnapInRequestOperation.ProcessRequest() at Microsoft.ManagementConsole.Executive.Operation.OnThreadTransfer(SimpleOperationCallback callback) I have tried delete all Spybot task but its still here. Window even could be closed. This computer, manager, task manager is working, afer some Spybot task error.

Thanks fixed, it was in Boot* Key.

First part too lowlevel for me, its not gaming stuff and or too much about performance so i dont care, sorry. I just want to clarify i speaking about this HW device: http://www.zalman.com/contents/products/view.html?no=20 you copy *.iso folder and start device and select right cd image, its like gotek for floppies.. I happy that all my machines are able somehow boot from USB flash and USB CD ROM, but if not there slow utility - PLoP (its cumbersome but i should work) or something like that, which could be run to floppy and start CD/ USB boot.. USB 2 is fast enough is 40-50 MB/s its fast from point of view of 1 CD OS. Problem is simply how windows setup is written and dont thing that it even could with USB CD ROM.. so its trying to access on physical IDE DVD drive, it probably means that even real USB CD ROM will not work.. I just tried it, i invested 3 minutes and reported result and was a bit disappointed. Thanks for how to install Win98 from HDD i will try it with HP formater made flash and report result.

Ok, so proof is almost here, i think that i was in situation when i had same things in device manager, but still didnt get picture from second card before reboot (after i got VGA safe driver and Code 43 on one of cards driver).. I believe you, but this far from to be 100% proof, i would be nice see device manager on one side of screenshot, and on the second game running in the windows mode and with Afterburner or similar overlay, where would be also name of used GPU + some proof about in which slot is which card (because in primary slot both cards would run well in all OSes) - or just short video of machine internals (which cards are in which slot info) and running game in windows on screen - would be 100% proof. Im sure that in dual stunt description is missing some secret sauce.. Analysis time: - Windows 98 screen - ok, im there too, no problem there, if old card is in primary slot - WinXP picture - if GTX 770 in second slot and picture from it, you are winner, but i dont care about XP, because my Geforce 1030 doesnt support XP at all, its Windows 7+ card - Win10 this is interesting, have tried Geforce 7950 force to Standard VGA driver or SVGA driver, but i dont know what is Microsoft Basic Display Adapter (its some microsoft driver forced to use with card?) - chipset should be fine - we both have same AMD 970/SB950 board. What is different (what could make a difference between success and failure): - Microsoft basic Display adapter for older card, its means Windows 10 incompatible card, maybe is problem is that my Geforce 7950GT is still supported by Windows 10 - its running full 3D (its fully compatible) with 309 drivers.. - i have Asus board, you have Asrock and MSI - i have MSI Geforce 1030 you had GTX 770 / GTX 960 (but its not on screens) - my Geforce 7950GT have only 2x DVI so im using DVI, on MSI geforce 1030 i have DVI and HDMi i have tried both - in theory card vendors / bios could matters, i have MSI 7950GT - last bios What is need for further analysis: - could you try DVI on your Geforce 7900 card? - pleas make screenshot of Nvidia control panel in Windows 7+, show that is working.. Im getting, no display connected message. - i would like to see which version of Nvidia drivers is used for new cards, in Windows 7 or 10 OSes - do you have also installed Windows 7 on some of these machines, or could you try it? I did most experimenting here and there is problem that 7900 would be still supported..

Thanks, but its not probably worth of my time, i just wanted to test it, i wanted also test IDE to memory card adapter with it. Usually its working out of box.. I did it last time 15 years ago, but like better way looks, use HP USB formater and Windows 98 floppy boot files and just copy Windows install files right on the USB and run it. If remember correctly its possible to boot from floppy and run setup from files copied to HDD from CD, i only forgot which files i have to copy from CD to HDD.. I would to use Easy2Boot, but when i tried it on my Core 2 duo, just start installation, because copy files form USB to ramdisk, took more that hour.. I thing that is because of Asrock or Intel USB implementation, or bug in used linux kernels. Its not first USB boot flash, but worked really slow on this machine, i would say that is USB 1.1 speed, but it looks even slower.

Hello, i have tried resize partition with old version of Partition Wizzard probably not fully compatible version of Window 10 and problem is that task is started every boot and at every boot i got message that is not working and press a key.. I checked Task scheduler is not probably here, how to remove such task? Its is starting these: CPU type: AMD64 Module: 0x2f950000 Size:3575808 C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\pwNative.exe Module: 0x4a700000 Size:1904640 C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\ntdll.dll Exception Address:0x4a739f58 Exception Code:0xc0000005 In C:\ is file pwdebug.txt - its form that soft. I uninstalled that soft installed now version, but is still somewhere scheduled, i wan to now where? I need tried to remove such type of task is something special..

I never liked these SW, but SnappyDriver Installer changed my mind, so im wonder is there SW like this for Windows 98?

I have tried Zalman HDD-CD emulator, in setup in some real CD driver detection.. and its not working with this device.. I boot into command line, where i should start setup.exe but there is only A: device.. maybe exist modified msdex for usb cdrom support, i dont know, but it means other research..

+ placeholder, because of email notifications, post above, updated.

If is all what i need for read/ write access NTFS partition, on MBR disk with size up to 2 TB, maximum NTFS partition size would be <2TB. As i said, i would prefer some wrapper / fix solution - fix what in broken in Windows 98 and dont change anything on HDD, because all other OSes could work with HDD as it is. But i dont know if you have something like that? ------- Amd 970: i will post some info later. I updated video card bios and change on Nvidia driver file with your patch a installed this modified Nvidia unofficial 82 driver package, is it at what i had to do? Im already limitting my ram size from 8 GB to 1125 by some himem.exe in config.sys i dont really remember details, its years, im also i thing using some modified io.sys because its otherwise crashing with not enough mermory during boot. So if will pay other 20$ for your memory patch and i patching would be finally done and machine would be ready for gaming?

Nobody?

Conroe: Here is list of Conroe controllers Windows 98: // Second collumn is hardwareID |0 - 31 - 1|8086-24DB-24D01849-02 hdc Intel® 82801EB UATA Storage Controllers |0 - 31 - 2|8086-24D1-24D11849-02 hdc Intel® 82801EB UATA Storage Controllers Windows XP: Bus-Numb-Fun IRQ Vendor-Dev-Sub_OEM-Rev Class (2:255) Vendor and Device Description Showing 16 of 16 [0 - 31 - 1] 8086-24DB-24D01849-02 EIDE Controller Intel 82801EB (ICH5) EIDE Controller [0 - 31 - 2] 18 8086-24D1-24D11849-02 SATA Controller Intel 82801EB (ICH5) SATA I/O Controller Windows XP device manager: AHCIBIOS patch application: - i have purged all controler - copied INF - copied AHCIBIOS.com and add it to autoexec.com // I can somehow check it was really executed? - checked that SATA patch is already installed - rebooted into normal mode - Controller were autodetected as Intel Controllers - i tried to change driver for controller for your ATA106 driver - reboot wasnt sucessfull - freeze - should i remove some intel drivers files, if yes which? Update: - Ahci controller properly installed, i removed intel driver - bootlog this crashing on ESDI - patched: - i tried to patch ESDI, i got patched message - but when i check directory, only ESDI_506.B_A (size (24,406)- file is here, original file had size 24,406 and data 5.5.1999, was it right file?

You are right, but my point view is different, i have bough your Sata and Nvidia patches and i hoped, that they will just make my Windows 98 machine finally usefull. And this Nvidia problem, i got right after i set enabled DMA, which is needed for make your Sata patch, i dont know it, could be some conflict of DMA use.. Its not your fault, but im tired of situation when i fix one thing to run into other problem and buy one more patch situation.. Will it be last? This really looks like some resources conflict. Ok i missed disclaimer. DVD drive - nice thanks for explanation. I didnt find too much info about it on your web.. and its a typical on web, its quick summary and after transaction things getting a bit more technical and complicated (more iffy, there is some sort of disappointment from user perspective).. Maybe it would be nice have possibility to check technical manuals before purchase, it think that they are your SW specific, so you dont need to be affraid of some know how leaks.. Point is that i dont know too much, how it works, so im asking, it is big package for 21$, maybe it could be splited and i will need only part i need (better price). For me it really looked like some dirty magic bit change / wrapper, which will help me use my NTFS bigger than 8.4GB partitions, i have lots good partition tools, even paid.. but question is if need after needed change use only your partition program, or i can still use other partition tools? My present machine state overview: - both are in strange state 1) AMD970, today arrived new Intel gigabit NIC a replaced it for Intel 100 Mbit, after that i boot when i installed drivers, i got still some Rundll errors, but after that right click was working and these micro freezes in games were gone. But next reboot i got black screen in normal mode, i have to check Bootlog.txt - im really tired of that, i really hoped, it will all and would be able finally enjoy the machine. Boolog attached, there is some IPX entry a after some value which i really dont understand, i have installed again whole network stuck and some files were from drivers, some already on system a some of SP3.. 2) Conroe machine i set up Bios to Enhanced mode, disable all IDE controller and purged all controllers in safe mode, but i had still freeze in boot into normal mode, so i checked bootlog.txt some usb stuff was wrong, i removed usb staff rebooted and controllers were detected with Intel drivers - one with exclamation marks, reboot - i didnt expected much, but i first time saw DVD driver working, no MS-DOS mode except diskette drive, even NTFS partitions were visible - but only read only. After reboot i even could edit NTFS data, but and have got some explorer loading freze and i have to kill 1 process to load desktop icons and other thing was that drive performance was only 3 MB/s, all this without your Sata patch.. I looged HardwareID of controller for future check (im will post them here later), which controller was in that time really visible and which was working and which dont, if both were boards Sata controller (but why 2, i per port?) or it was fix of Sata and IDE controller and if they were in AHCI mode or IDE mode (when OS started to work with them) - i think that you can say that from HardwareID, im right?. So more time to fiddling with drivers is needed, more diving into Windows 98 drivers hell pit, im sick of it. BOOTLOG.7z

Sorry this too much Windows oriented point of view, as i see it. Vanilla C, Java, Lua,Python, ASM etc, perl are in theory platform independent only you need keep no lower version of virtual machine / interpreter / libraries / units compatible with specific OS, This looks like that you are both using / speaking about some very specific Windows only APIs, to make Windows only coding easier, but very oriented to specific Windows version. Older version Java or Python,perl are running on Windows, i just checked that even Java 1.6 is supported and im still time to time coding in some frameworks which still running on Java 1.6.. With C++ C# and Visual studio, Mono develop or Eclipse etc.. it should be same, you just new import on set of old / compatible libraries. For graphics, there would be some compatible QT,GTK GUI libraries, i dont know about SDL? Even from OS independent lang you could make Windows specific apps and work with Windows specific things like registry, except you need too write very Windows specific think like Windows service or some explorer enhancer etc. Maybe im too old goat and can live without some modern function of modern IDEs., but im not fulltime developer i just time to time, write some code, in specific frameworks. I remember days of Dos coding, when i have to write everything from scratch - even video driver, mouse driver, fonts, alll data formats loaders. I know something about porting C++ originaly Windows XP+ project to Linux, MacOS or even mobile platforms (usually C++ wrappers), but i did multiplatform Windows specific app with Windows 98 support (too old), i coded Windows 9x specific thing in age of first Delphi or Borland C++ Builder 1.