How to Use Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers from Windows 98 Startup Disk

The Windows 98 Startup disk includes a set of generic real-mode CD-ROM drivers. These drivers work with most Integrated Device Electronics (IDE) ATAPI-compliant and Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) CD-ROM drives.

This article describes how to configure your computer to use the real-mode CD-ROM drivers from the Windows 98 Startup disk. This may be useful when you need real-mode drivers for your CD-ROM drive, or when you are unable to configure the Windows 98 protected-mode CD-ROM drivers to function correctly.

Determining If the Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers Work

Before you configure your computer to use the real-mode CD-ROM drivers from the Startup disk, verify that the drivers work with your CD-ROM drive. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Restart your computer by using the Windows 98 Startup disk. On the Startup menu, choose Start Computer With CD-ROM Support.
2. Insert a CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
3. Type dir drive_letter: and then press ENTER, where drive_letter is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive. Note that the CD-ROM drive letter may be one letter higher than you expect.

If you can retrieve a directory of the CD-ROM, the real-mode drivers work with your CD-ROM drive. If you cannot retrieve a directory, you must use the drivers that are included with your CD-ROM drive.

Using the Startup Disk Real-Mode CD-ROM Drivers

To configure your computer to use the real-mode drivers from the Startup disk, follow these steps:

1. If you have not already done so, restart your computer by using the Windows 98 Startup disk.
2. Create a new folder on your hard disk and then copy files to the new folder. To do so, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line:
   c:
   mkdir rmcd
   cd rmcd
   a:
   copy aspi2dos.sys c:
   copy aspi4dos.sys c:
   copy aspi8dos.sys c:
   copy aspi8u2.sys c:
   copy aspicd.sys c:
   copy btdosm.sys c:
   copy btcdrom.sys c:
   copy flashpt.sys c:
   copy himem.sys c:
   copy oakcdrom.sys c:
   copy c:\windows\command\mscdex.exe c:\rmcd
   c:
   dir
   There should be 11 files in the new folder.
   
   
3. Make backup copies of your Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files (if they exist). To do so, type the following lines at the command prompt, pressing ENTER after each command:
   c:
   cd \
   copy autoexec.bat autoexec.sav
   copy config.sys config.sav
4. Type edit autoexec.bat, and then press ENTER.
5. Add the following line to the Autoexec.bat file:
   lh c:\rmcd\mscdex.exe /d:mscd001
6. On the File menu, click Save, and then click Exit on the File menu.
7. Type edit config.sys, and then press ENTER.
8. Add the following line to the Config.sys file:
   device=c:\rmcd\himem.sys /testmem:off
   NOTE: If the Himem.sys line already exists, do not add the line above.
   
   
9. Add the following lines to the Config.sys file:
   device=c:\rmcd\oakcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
   device=c:\rmcd\btdosm.sys
   device=c:\rmcd\flashpt.sys
   device=c:\rmcd\btcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
   device=c:\rmcd\aspi2dos.sys
   device=c:\rmcd\aspi8dos.sys
   device=c:\rmcd\aspi4dos.sys
   device=c:\rmcd\aspi8u2.sys
   device=c:\rmcd\aspicd.sys /D:mscd001
   device=c:\rmcd\flashpt.sys
   files=10
   buffers=10
   dos=high,umb
   stacks=9,256
   lastdrive=z
10. On the File menu, click Save, and then click Exit on the File menu.
11. Remove the Startup disk and then restart your computer normally.

Known Issues

The following items are known issues with the real-mode CD-ROM drivers on the Windows 98 Startup disk:

• CD-ROM drives that are connected to sound cards may not work properly.
• Early proprietary CD-ROM drives (for example, Mitsumi, Panasonic, and Sony) may not work with the drivers on the Startup disk. Some older IDE controllers also may not work.
• The SCSI drivers on the Startup disk support most Adaptec, BusLogic, and Mylex adapters. Other SCSI CD-ROM drives may not work with the drivers on the Startup disk.
• If your SCSI controller is configured for a non-default input/output (I/O) range, the drivers may not detect your SCSI card. Consult your SCSI driver documentation for the default I/O ranges for your card.For additional information about troubleshooting SCSI devices, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
  133285  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/133285/EN-US/ ) SCSI Setup and Basic SCSI Troubleshooting in Windows
• Drivers are not included for any PC Card (PCMCIA) CD-ROM drives.

For additional information about how Windows Setup detects CD-ROM Drives, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For additional information about specific CD-ROM drives that require real-mode drivers to work in Windows, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: