Can you make windows OS read only?

[gregulator]

Well I am working on a car mp3 project and am wondering if there is a way to make the windows OS read only. The plan is to use a IDE/compact flash adapter and then host the OS on the CF card so that it boots up quickly. The problem is that I guess CF cards have a maximum amount of writes you can perform (100,000 i believe). So I would like to keep the main system files on the CF card so I can boot quickly, but log files and swap files would be on a HDD. Anyone know a way to go about this? Thanks

 

[EagleKeeper]

Paging file location can be selected.

I would suspect that most log files will have their paths defined in the registry.

One simple test would be to install the stripped down OS onto the D: drive and then look in the registry for any references.

Convert those references to C: drive and then burn the OS on a CD.
Boot the system with the D: drive being the CD and check what fails.

Iterate until happy.
OR swallow your pride and contact MS

 

[gregulator]

i will try that. thanks for the help

 

[Nothinman]

Or you could make a stripped down Linux system. It wouldn't be too hard to make a small Linux system with a minimal system on CF and have any running temp files on a small ramdisk.

 

[n0cmonkey]

<< Or you could make a stripped down Linux system. It wouldn't be too hard to make a small Linux system with a minimal system on CF and have any running temp files on a small ramdisk. >>



Using one of the Linux systems built for this specific project (I can remember one offhand) would be too easy! Why not have to reboot your car on occassion

 

[XeonTux]

Yes, there is lots of documentation on how to do such things with linux. Usually this is done to run the OS from a CD. It basically entails creating a RAM disk and a bunch of symbolic links...something that does not exist in MS Windows AFAIK.

Linux may be a good choice for such a project anyway. You can tailor it to your hardware & needs and it will perform better with less resources. Unless you like getting BSODs while driving

Another cool thing: there is a linux project that allows suspend of ANY computer, even if your BIOS doesn't support it. You'll still have to wait for POST, but should be significantly faster than a normal boot. If you are interested in this or the read-only filesystem links let me know and I'll help you dig them up.

Edit: As far as MS Windows, what about Windows CE?

 

[gregulator]

The thing about linux is that i don't know !ish about it... what a good time to learn! Well that and the fact that i dont know if all of my hardware will be supported. I am using a touchscreen and have a GPS that uses delorme mapping software so already i think linux is not the answer. i would like to be able to use it since i think it does offer some great benefits as you have mentioned but for the hardware and apps i have, i dont think it will work