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simple question

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:08 pm
by yma
Can I use a virtual cd/dvd drive instead of a virtual floppy drive?

Re: simple question

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:27 pm
by halofreak1990
You can, but you'll have to make drastic changes to the bootloader to get the bootsector to work.
(must be 2048 bytes, last two bytes must be the boot signature 'AA55' etc.)
And, of course, you'll need some software to actually write your bootloader to the bootsector of a virtual disc image.

I did this once, but could't get it to display text on the screen. Never tried going as far as to load my kernel, but it should work.

Re: simple question

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:51 pm
by Hoozim
Instead of virtualization, try fomatting a usb device as a floppy disk. My emulator recognizes it as a floppy disk. It is very easy and no problems. :)

Re: simple question

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 11:14 pm
by Andyhhp
Yes you can.

Also, you dont specifically need to make it 2048 long. There is BIOS compatability mode to boot from a CD as if it were a floppy disk.

Most emulation software and all PCs should be able to do this.

I suggest you have a look at isolinux which has a few documents on the subject.

~Andrew