Writing a os on windows 8?

[RobertH]

So I started my development on ubuntu but I am forced to start using windows 8. I cant get partcopy to work or VFD or the modified version of VFD. Does anyone have any tips to get this to work?

[Techel]

Whats the problem with these? Error 5? Then start with Administrator rights and make sure the volume you are using is unformatted. An other idea is 'ImVirtual Disk' which can mount any file as a volume (Works on my windows 8 )

[max]

So I started my development on ubuntu but I am forced to start using windows 8. I cant get partcopy to work or VFD or the modified version of VFD. Does anyone have any tips to get this to work?

You should use Cygwin. Gives you all the tools you need and is the only suitable way for a cross compiler & os specific toolchain (im using Win7 too often).

[kzinti]

If I was stuck with doing osdev under Windows, I would run linux under a VM. Cygwin is terrible.

[Techel]

He is asking about disk utilities, not compilers and stuff btw I'm using MinGW. Works well for me as a hobby osdever.

[max]

If I was stuck with doing osdev under Windows, I would run linux under a VM. Cygwin is terrible.

Cygwin is great if you know how to use it, your Cygwin skills are probably terrible.

He is asking about disk utilities, not compilers and stuff btw I'm using MinGW. Works well for me as a hobby osdever.

Cygwin has ports for *nix utilities, not only compilers and stuff. MinGW only works as long as your not trying to achieve things like creating an OS specific toolchain/porting GCC to your OS/porting existing programs to your OS. It is not meant to be used in such a way.

You use MinGW if you just want a proper GCC on your Windows and want to develop programs for Windows (it has the best system support & allows static linkage). But if you want to build cross-compilers for various platforms and have a proper build environment and also use Linux tools, use Cygwin.

It is actually not very hard to set up your environment like this, you can take inspiration from the toolchain setup page of my kernel project.

[kzinti]

Cygwin is great if you know how to use it, your Cygwin skills are probably terrible.

Rest assured my skills with Cygwin aren't the issue here. I've used it for many years and still do on occasion. That said, I'd much rather be in a real Linux environment.

[iansjack]

I'm intrigued to know why you are forced to use Windows 8. Even so, can't you just run Ubuntu (or preferably some better Linux distribution) in a VM for your OS development work?

[RobertH]

Thank you everyone for your answers ill look into some of your suggestions. And your the ones that want to know why I have to use windows 8 it is because my school is forcing me to. I would need to buy another computer to use linux(without lag because of a virtual machine).

[iansjack]

You should have no appreciable lag using Linux in a virtual machine. I use Linux in a VM on a Mac Mini, and that not the fastest of computers. It's only 3D graphics that tend to suffer. A VM is perfect for OS development, much better than messing about with CygWin IMO.

[kzinti]

You should have no appreciable lag using Linux in a virtual machine. I use Linux in a VM on a Mac Mini, and that not the fastest of computers. It's only 3D graphics that tend to suffer. A VM is perfect for OS development, much better than messing about with CygWin IMO.

I concur. Working in a VM is perfectly fine as long as you stay away from intensive graphics.

[RobertH]

You should have no appreciable lag using Linux in a virtual machine. I use Linux in a VM on a Mac Mini, and that not the fastest of computers. It's only 3D graphics that tend to suffer. A VM is perfect for OS development, much better than messing about with CygWin IMO.

Maybe Ill just try other software then and see if it lags.

[Brendan]

Hi,

You should also be able to find utilities that allow you to write raw disk images to real disks (like rawrite, most CD burning software, etc).

When I was doing OS development on Windows (a very very long time ago, but the tools still exist and still work) this was easier and less annoying that diddling with virtual machines and/or cygwin.


Cheers,

Brendan

[eryjus]

I would need to buy another computer to use linux(without lag because of a virtual machine).

I would consider setting up a dual boot computer to overcome your constraints -- Windows for school and Linux for play.

Also, without getting into a major discussion over which Linux distro to use, I have found that Ubuntu makes too many decisions for the power user and you cannot get the control you need/want over your host environment. I personally prefer Fedora Core, but that is likely unpalatable to some due to the aggressive release cycle.

[Muazzam]

When I was developing on Windows (~6 months ago), these tools were enough for me:
1. NASM (Assembler)
2. Debug.exe (To write binaries to disk image)
3. VFD (Virtual Floppy Drive)
4. VirtualBox (Virtual Machine)
And they are easily available.
By the way, what is wrong with Linux and Windows dual booting?