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ReactOS is a free and open source implementation of the Windows NT architecture, which intends to provide support for existing applications and drivers, outside of the control of Microsoft.
The release of ReactOS 0.4 brings improved file system support, including native, out-of-the-box support for ext2, ext3, and ext4, as well as read-only support for NTFS.
Additionally, the bundled version of UniATA was updated to add better support for SATA and PATA devices. Support was generally improved for third-party device drivers, making it substantially easier to install and use real hardware, as opposed to just virtual machines like VirtualBox.
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Release of ReactOS 0.4 Brings Open Source Windows Closer to Reality
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Never laugh at live dragons.
-- Bilbo Baggins [J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Hobbit"]
(Score: 3, Informative) by Freeman on Wednesday February 17 2016, @11:56PM
"As ReactOS is still in alpha stage development, we encourage would-be testers to first try it out on a virtual machine before taking the plunge with real hardware. Of course regardless of whether you do a physical or virtual install there are some basic requirements to keep in mind.
x86 processor, Pentium-class or newer
96MB of RAM, 256MB recommended
650MB of free space minimum, 5GB+ recommended if you intend to do testing
VGA compatible graphics card, VESA BIOS 2.0+
For virtual machines, the team recommends the following." Virtual Box, VMWare, and Qemu are the recommended virtual machines. https://reactos.org/installing-reactos [reactos.org]
The requirements are pretty low. Compatibility at this point may also be pretty low, because it's in Alpha. While they have made a good deal of progress, they are far from finished. This is as close to a "compatibility list" software wise as they have https://reactos.org/gallery [reactos.org] The original post on the reactos site which was linked to on the first comment lists what has been introduced. Basic things like USB Support. A fairly notable lack of compatibility is the fact that NTFS support is Read Only. I've kept one eye on ReactOS for a while, but they're still not quite there on Basic things. So, check back in a year or two. This is an Alpha level Operating System that's pretty much trying to do the same thing that FreeDOS did, but for Windows. It's going to take a while and so long as they keep at it I'm sure they'll get there eventually.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday February 18 2016, @12:03AM
Looking at a post above mine I was able to find this link too: https://www.reactos.org/wiki/Supported_Hardware [reactos.org]
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by Joe Desertrat on Thursday February 18 2016, @02:14AM
This is an Alpha level Operating System that's pretty much trying to do the same thing that FreeDOS did, but for Windows.
I took a very brief look at it several years ago. Now admittedly I did not expend any great effort, but all I was able to bring up was a DOS prompt.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Thursday February 18 2016, @11:12PM
I have successfully booted ReactOS into a Windows like environment many times. Though, most of the time I use Virtual Box. I'm waiting for it to hit Beta, before I really start to mess with it. Alpha Open Source = Test this for us, it's broken, we know it, and could you fix some stuff for us while you're at it? Beta Open Source = Test this for us, let us know if you find something broken, and enjoy. Release Open Source = We've let you beat our software with a stick and it seems we've fixed all the bugs; Enjoy.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"