The zero device accepts and reads data as any ordinary (and willing) file, but throws away any data written to it, and returns an endless supply of null bytes when read.

Usage:
  dd if=\\.\zero of=<file_name> count=<nn>
    where <file_name> is destination file name, <nn> is block count
  dd.exe utility is taken from cygwin. See its manual for details.

build

1. if you have Intel C compiler:
   • set BASEDIR environment variable to point to NT4 DDK
   • place ntifs.h to any location specified in INCLUDE environment variable
   • run nt4.cmd
2. if you have no Intel C compiler:
   • set BASEDIR environment variable to point to NT4 DDK
   • place ntifs.h to any location specified in INCLUDE environment variable or set BASEDIR2K environment variable to point to Win2000 DDK
   • run nmake /f zero.mak

install

Note: these methods will install zero.sys driver with Automatic startup mode

1. Note: HW profiles will not work for this driver
   • copy zero.sys to %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers
   • import zero.reg
   • reboot
2. Note: you will need instdrv.exe in curent directory or at any other location specified in PATH environment variable. You can build this utility from NT4 DDK \src\general\instdrv\exe or download its compiled copy and Visual C 6.0 project from here
   • run install.bat