VHD is a very convenient way to boot OS from a single file. Its far superior to ISO. However, currently Grub4DOS can mount only a fixed VHD (regardless whether supported for native boot or not). Once mounted, Windows can boot from VHD if WinVBlock or FiraDisk driver is integrated into OS.

But, fixed VHDs are inconvenient to use, since they iether occupy big space on HD, or limit new programs install due to lack of space. A dynamic VHD is more suitable in many tasks.

Can you add to G4D the ability to mount a dynamic VHD without extra tools?

Even when mounting a fixed VHD, G4D incorrectly reports or can't read and assumes default values instead about its disk structure. Possible to fix?

Just wanted to note, the dynamic VHD's max set size may be ignored when mounted by G4D.

Plop VHD Loader (http://www.plop.at/en/vhdloader.html) is a proof-of-concept basic loader of dynamic VDHs that can run from a DOS Floppy booted in G4D. Analyzing its work might help make Grub4DOS correctly recognizing and mounting fixed and dynamic VHDs, or develop similar to VHD Loader .exe program that can run directly from G4D. :)

Grub4dos does not aim to be a VHD loader.

And, the DOS program you last mentioned is not open-source, so it cannot be re-written/converted to a grub4dos program, except by the original developer.

Sorry, close this issue now.

Grub4DOS is well known as universal image bootloader, and very popular namely because of that fact.

It supports booting from ISO, IMA, HDD and other image types. Why you discriminate against VHD images? They can run on both virtual and real hardware, while other image types can't run in several popular VMs.

Besides, ISO format was developed for CD/DVD, which is no longer shipped by most PC & laptop makers. ISO & IMA time is gone. Why not support currently popular image format, only look in the past?

I have noticed that you used the word "discriminate". The VHD image is a new format, not a classic one. The VHD appeared far after the popular floppy/hdd/iso images. Almost all "classic" boot loaders have no support for VHD yet. Now that you have said "discriminate against", I would like to consider you might want to force the developers to do something. You are criticizing that the developers are doing something "improper" or "wrong". Or even you might (happen to) be an attacker, or just act as an attacker(IMHO, and sorry for my bad English). If anyone is trying to command or to order the developers to do something, he(or she) is not likely to succeed.

The developers/maintainers are magnanimous/generous. Even the attackers can feel free to say anything in this board. However, the developers only do those things that they are able to do. They cannot do things that exceed their capabilities.

Anyone in the world can help the developers to do some work(and even can be a grub4dos developer), by providing patches.

Tinybit

I'm a true Grub4DOS admirer, and was one among many, who said you and other developers "Thank you" (http://reboot.pro/7808/page__view__findpost__p__115745). In another place I said to consider Grub4DOS to be the only program that earned "Ultimate" status. :)

Who can possibly press volunteers already contributed so much to do anything they don't want?! Not in a free (internet) world. :) The only hope is to attract your attention to this unresolved issue, and possibly offer some help, if able to. I mentioned "discriminate" because it looks like to me from your previous reply. But I may be wrong in part, or in full on every issue, including this one. :)

sambul7165,

The current main developer chenall has never studied Computer Science (just like me). It is very hard for the developers to do those complicated work within limited time.

One way the attackers would like to use, is to pose a difficult question(or even a question that is impossible to resolve, or a work that is impossible to do) and then urge the developers to complete it. If the developers do not agree, then the attacker will say "discriminate against..." or similar words. You just had done the same thing as an attacker, although you might not be a real attacker.

If one appears (or is considered) as an attacker, he(or she) will just be ignored.

Sorry for misunderstanding... Though I'm not an "attacker", please feel free to ignore my requests at your discretion. :)