WinDBG Virtual PC
 

I used WinDBG for debugging my drivers. Now I'm working on file system driver and want to save myself from OS reinstallations. So I thought running file system filter driver would be easy on MS Virtual PC. I installed Win XP SP1 on Virtual PC 2004, changed boot.ini to enable debug mode and if I select it, then my CPU goes to 100% and Virtual PC halts for a very long time. Hyperterminal works with the same settings as in boot.ini. Does any one ever tried it, or it would be easier to make HD image?

Why you need reinstall ? I am not so skilled in file system filter but by my opinion you may load and unload system driver dynamically. On ftp you may find MS IFS kit (installable file system kit) and Compuware Driver studio with many samples about file system hooks.

nahoda

Maybe this can help(WinDbg and VMWare):

hxxp://silverstr.ufies.org/lotr0/

The idea is following:
Virtual PC can run in "HD changes undo mode", where all changes to HD lost after reboot. This is kind of read-only run mode.

Reason: I need to change data written to HD, first time most likely it's not going to work perfectly and I'll destroy some files. I had this experience before, defenately not plesent.

I hope to get access to FTP so I can download IFS, so far I'm using what's available on the public samples.

Virtual Disk, Real PC
 

Hi Sergey Nameless,

Your undo reasoning is sound, but another way to simplify file system development is to use a virtual drive on a real system. There is a great one here:

hxxp://www.insidewindows.info/filedisk.zip

This allows you to create a sparse file which is mounted like a real hard drive. As the file is sparse, it will be only as big as the data you put on it. You can keep multiple copies, old problem setups and even do diffs via sourcesafe or another version control system.

hxxp://www.insidewindows.info/ also has a number of cool source file systems and recognizers based on the NTIFS.h (also on that site). If you're in a hurry you might also want to check out
hxxp://www.exetools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4617

Enjoy, WFCC

Have you tried VMWare? I found it very easy for me to test programs and to undo the undesirable side effects.

Undo Function??
VMWARE also has the function.
and u can set "Undo After Shutdown" also.

I like VMWARE much betten then VIRTUALPC.

more powerful.