Chapter 17. The compile, test and debug cycle under Bochs

Abstract

Using Bochs during the development cycle.

Updating the Virtual Disk Image

Run install.bat after compiling changes in your ReactOS tree.
Copy the directory reactos (where install.bat copied files to) to the Bochs directory.
Run binst.bat to copy the new files to the disk image.
Sometimes it appears that changed files aren't copied to the disk image. In this case, boot using FreeDOS and remove the files in c:\reactos on the disk image. Run binst.bat and the new files will definitely be there.

Sending Debug Output to the Bochs Console Window

When you run Bochs, the DOS box can be used to output debugging information (from DbgPrint statements). To enable this when booting using FreeDOS, edit the boot.bat file used to boot ReactOS and change the /DEBUGPORT setting to be set to /DEBUGPORT=BOCHS. (TODO: How to enable this when booting from Freeloader?)