64HDD CD Edition FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) >> What specification PC do I need for 64HDD "CD Edition"? Firstly you will need a PC with an Intel or AMD processor that can auto-boot from the CDROM drive. Most can, but you might need to adjust you BIOS settings to activate this. You will also need a LPT port and a XE1541 compatible cable. The PC itself needs to have a Pentium class (or compatible) processor. Most systems running Windows 2K or XP have at least a P-II (or compatible) processor. You will need 32MB of RAM, which is used for a variety of purposes. A mouse is optional, if you want to use it with the GUI. >> How do I make my CDROM drive bootable? This depends on your particular PC, but normally involves changing some settings in the BIOS setup. Start set-up when you boot your PC (usually by pressing "DEL" when prompted). Check that in the "standard setup menu" your CDROM is either listed or the drive settings are "auto". Typically your CDROM drive is connected as the second or fourth device (usually as a "slave"). Check that in the "advanced setup menu" boot from CDROM is enabled. Some modern BIOS allow you to boot from CDROM by pressing F8 prior to Windows/Linux starting up, this avoids having to make BIOS setting changes. >> What is FAT16, FAT32, NTFS? These are names given to different drive formats. FAT type drives are standard types for DOS and early Windows versions. Even Windows XP can have its boot drive in FAT32, but often newer versions of Windows are formatted as NTFS by default. Importantly, you cannot write to NTFS disks with freeware drivers. The format of your drives can be checked under Windows by opening their "properties" tab. >> Can I attach external USB drives to my system? The bootable CD includes a driver that on systems with USB ports mounts any "mass storage class" devices. These devices need to be connected (and "on") at the time of booting and it is recommended that they not be disconnected. USB "mass storage class" devices include: "thumb drives" (Flash type memory), card readers (including CompactFlash, SD, MMC, etc), certain newer Digital Cameras, etc. This driver is provided by a third party and may not work with all USB products (but works with those that I've tried). >> Will my ZIP or non-standard drive be available? Probably not. But if you have such specific requirements contact the author via the 64HDD website to see if a customisation can be made for you. >> Can I insert another CDROM whilst using 64HDD "CD Edition"? Not normally, because your "operating system" is now on the 64HDD CD and will be needed for some operations (removing it may cause errors). If you have a second or third CDROM drive, then you can of course use those. >> How do I use my own programs and D64 files? Typically these would be copied or downloaded to your C: drive prior to your 64HDD session. You can use the navigator from within CD-Launcher to locate them. Remember, your NTFS drive may be mounted as a different "letter" to that which you are used to in Windows/Linux. You can also use you USB "thumb drive" if you want read/write storage. >> My PC thinks the CDROM contains a virus when booting from it? Don't Panic!! The CD has been thoroughly scanned after being written, and you can scan it again to be sure. Many PCs have a virus checker built into BIOS which checks booting media before running them. The CDROM contains a few custom written executables, such as CDLAUNCH.EXE, and these can confuse some virus checking programs. Simply select to continue with operations if a false alarm arises. >> How do I upgrade my version of 64HDD since it is on the CDROM? CD-Launcher includes a field where you can enter the path of a newer version of 64HDD. This newer version can be downloaded, unzipped and stored on any drive that can be seen by both your normal operating system and your 64HDD system. With some setups (those that both see the same C: drive) you can replace the 64HDD.EXE file with a new version, and mark it as "read-only". If you have your own CDROM burning software you might even be able to append a copy of the update to the existing data. Make sure you know what you are doing here as I will not warrant the disk if its been overwritten by you. >> Can I request updates on CDROM? Yes. If all else fails you can order an upgrade disk from www.64hdd.com for US$7 and includes worldwide postage. >> I already use 64HDD, can I download CD-Launcher for my setup? CD-Launcher is not available for downloading and has been coded especially for the "CD-Edition" of 64HDD. >> Can I copy 64HDD "CD Edition" for my friends? No. Even though 64HDD is freeware, the configuration of the CDROM and the CD-Launcher software is not. As the purchaser of the "CD-Edition" you are licensed to use it for your own purposes on as many systems you may have, but not to make copies for distribution, loan it, publicly archive it (including on the internet). >>OK, I love 64HDD; can I get 64HDD Professional on Bootable CDROM too? Contact the author via the 64HDD website to ask about current plans.