Abstract: A large capacity removable media drive is integrated into a computer as a floppy disk drive. The method and apparatus are suited to an environment in which the removable media disk drive is configured as the first fixed disk drive in the computer. Thus, the removable media drive is recognized by the BIOS as a fixed disk drive. A substitute master boot record is provided to the computer from the removable media drive in response to a request for the master boot record of the media. Control of the boot sequence is thereby gained. The substitute master boot record loads a boot program that alters the operating system to recognize the removable media drive as a floppy disk drive.

Abstract: A start-up method and apparatus for continuous casting of molten metal into a cast strip product includes initially casting a start-up alloy having sufficient strength, flexibility and casting surface release properties to achieve steady state casting conditions. A target alloy follows the start-up alloy being cast to produce a cast strip product of the target alloy composition. A start-up alloying vessel is disposed between the source of the target alloy and the casting apparatus to facilitate introduction of a start-up alloy into the casting process or formulation of a particular start-up alloy for initiation of the continuous casting operation.