Obscure DOS question

[J.C. Wren]

I wasn't reading the previous posts, but this caught my eye.  Tell me 
why you can't alter the disk parameter block to support more?  Up to 
65535, by my reckoning.  <URL: 
http://www.exegesis.uklinux.net/gandalf/encrypt/disk.htm#7.3.3 >, 
specifically, offset 11h.  Other than possibly DOS 3.3 not having the 
same layout.

    --jc

Keys wrote:

> See below.  John
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Vintage Computer Festival" 
> <vcf at siconic.com>
> To: "Classic Computers Mailing List" <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 5:48 PM
> Subject: Obscure DOS question
>
>
>>
>> MS-DOS 3.3 has a limit of 512 entries in the root directory.  I have a
>> need to put more than this.
>>
>> Was there ever a way to put more than 512 files in the root directory?
>> Some sort of patch or utility?
>>
> Use subdirectories. No way in DOS to get around the root limit.
> There are no limits, except the available disk space, on the number of 
> files and subdirectories in any other directory.
>
>> Did previous or subsequent versions of MS-DOS allow more entries in the
>> root?
>>
>> Another question:
>>
>> When using the SUBST command in MS-DOS, you cannot aparently substitute
>> the C: drive.  I seem to recall that MS-DOS 6.0 allowed this, although I
>> might be confusing that with the ability of LANtastic to redirect the C:
>> drive to a network drive.
>>
> Subst was used to make your "B" drive look like the "A" drive to the 
> computer. "SUBST A:B:\"
>
>> At any rate, what I'm trying to do is overcome the limit of 512 file
>> entries in an MS-DOS 3.3 root directory.
>>
>> Does anyone know how to accomplish this?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> -- 
>>
>> Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer 
>> Festival
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>
>