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----------------------------------------------------------------
DOS VERSION 6.0
----------------------------------------------------------------
DOS version 5.0 was revolutionary for its improved memory
handling capabilities, useful utilities such as DOSKEY, UNDELETE
and improved text editor. DOS version 6.0 is perhaps best
described as evolutionary. In most cases the software utilities
provided in DOS 6.0 have been available for a number of years
from commercial and shareware sources other than Microsoft, but
the inclusion of these capabilities within DOS 6.0 make it an
attractive option for businesses and individuals seeking to
obtain an all-in-one software utility toolkit at a modest price.
Novices should recall that DOS version 6.0 contains features
of all previous DOS versions, so be sure to study prior DOS
tutorials contained elsewhere in PC-Learn.
Tip: not sure which version of DOS you are using? Type the
following command: VER <then press enter/return key>
Next, DOS 6.0 feature highlights:
DBLSPACE. This hard disk and floppy disk file utility can double
the amount of hard disk storage space available by compressing
files when not in use and "de-compressing" them when needed.
Especially useful for Microsoft Windows users whose software
applications, data and graphics files can devour space on a hard
drive rapidly. DBLSPACE is also referred to as DOUBLESPACE in
popular references to this software utility.
MEMMAKER. A sensational automated memory optimization utility
which locates and maps conventional, expanded, extended memory
and software programs in use - and then attempts various
configurations automatically to arrive at an optimum memory
configuration. Under DOS 5.0 this process had to be done
manually and could be woefully tedious and confusing especially
for novices. MEMMAKER, while not flawless, is for most users a
well-crafted tool for painlessly configuring RAM memory for
optimum speed and flexibility. Especially useful for owners of
80386 and 80486 processor-based computers.
MSAV and MSWAV. These two utilities are respectively the DOS and
Windows versions of Microsoft Antivirus. Useful for periodic
testing of hard drives and floppy disks for computer virus
infection. Provision has been made for updates to the program as
new computer virus species are found. Whenever you insert a new
floppy in your computer disk drive you should check it for
computer virus infection. Hard drives should be routinely
checked for potential virus infections at least once a week if
not more frequently.
DEFRAG. A hard drive file defragmenter - speeds hard drive
access by organizing files into contiguous segments which can be
rapidly located and used by DOS and applications software
packages. "Defragging" is a periodic "housekeeping" chore that
most computer owners perform once or twice a week to speed hard
drive access to files and programs.
MSBACKUP and MWBACKUP. DOS and Windows versions of a capable
file backup program. The older DOS BACKUP and RESTORE utilities,
always a bit unreliable and clumsy to use, have been superseded
by these smoother, more dependable backup utilities.
The Multiple Configuration Feature. This is not a command or
conventional software utility but a method which allows users to
choose from one of several boot configuration choices when the
computer first starts - at boot (startup) time a menu appears
which allows the user to select a Windows optimized
configuration, a database optimized configuration or any number
of user specified choices. Essentially, different CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BAT files are run under this menu/choice scheme.
HELP. The help system in DOS 5.0 was good; but the help system
in DOS 6.0 is better, and it's all online at your fingertips.
Just type HELP and then cursor to the DOS command in question.
Or type HELP and the command name (example: HELP DIR). Pop down
menus provide additional technical notes about the command and
in most cases a few simple but helpful examples. Put the manual
on the bookshelf - this time the HELP utility provides just that.
CHOICE. A small but useful utility used by those preparing batch
files. Allows for the display of prompts and pauses batch files
so that choices can be made. Utilities such as this have existed
from non-Microsoft vendors and shareware sources for years.
Finally DOS joins the bandwagon with this simple but useful
batch file feature.
DELTREE. Deletes a subdirectory and all files contained within
that subdirectory.
INTERLINK. Of special interest to those owning two computers and
wishing to transfer files quickly and reliably between machines.
Useful for laptop computer owners wishing to transfer files from
an office desktop computer to a laptop machine which will be
taken on the road.
INTERSVER. Shares software data and resources between two linked
computers.
MOVE. Moves or relocates files from one drive or subdirectory to
another.
MSCDEX. Microsoft CD-ROM extensions and drivers for those
computers equipped with CD-ROM devices.
MSD. A system diagnostic program. Provides extremely useful
reports about computer hardware which can be printed or viewed
on screen. Popdown menus control all actions. Useful when
installing new hardware or software. Print out a report and keep
it with your computer for future reference if ever problems
arise so that you retain the technical configuration of your
system. Tip: If your computer ever requires service, you can
mail or FAX these technical reports to your service vendor which
should speed repairs.
POWER. Power management utility - primarily of use to battery
operated laptop computer owners.
----------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT'S GONE OR CHANGED WITH DOS 6.0?
----------------------------------------------------------------
The DOS 6.0 SETVER command has been updated so that older or
changed software utilities can still be used by those running
DOS 6.0. A coupon is provided with the DOS 6.0 packing
materials which can be mailed to Microsoft for a supplemental
disk of now discontinued DOS utilities for users who may need
them. Highlights:
OLD DOS COMMAND NEW COMMAND
ASSIGN SUBST
BACKUP MSBACKUP
DOSHELP FASTHELP, HELP
EDLIN EDIT
EXE2BIN NOT AVAILABLE
GRAFTABL NOT AVAILABLE
JOIN NOT AVAILABLE
RECOVER NOT AVAILABLE
----------------------------------------------------------------
DOUBLESPACE: SEAMLESS OPTIMIZED FILE COMPRESSION
----------------------------------------------------------------
The icing on the DOS 6.0 cake is Doublespace. Or as the DOS
command is actually written and typed at the command line:
DBLSPACE.
The essence of file compression offers a paradox. How can you
shrink a computer data file and still have it work? Aren't you
removing something to make it smaller? The answer is yes and no.
The key to file compression is that most computer files contain
substantial redundancy. Large ASCII text files and database
files might contain, for example, many occurrences of the word
"and" or the word "Mr." If these words and symbols are removed
and a single symbol, for example the letter "s" is substituted,
you have gone through a process formally known as "tokenizing"
or replacing a long word with a short one. Have the computer
replace the long file with a tokenized file and you begin to see
the efficiency of this scheme.
On average the DOS 6.0 DOUBLESPACE utility can squeeze twice the
amount of space out of the typical hard drive. Word processing
files, spreadsheet files, some graphics image files and large
databases are excellent candidates for compression. Other files
such as EXE and COM files and some overlay files shrink less.
Previously compressed files, such as those made by the popular
PKZIP utility, do not shrink at all.
The real power of DOUBLESPACE is that unlike earlier popular
compression software utilities (e.g., PKZIP, ARC, LHA, STACKER,
SUPERSTOR) DOUBLESPACE is an on-the-fly, system level utility
which works directly with DOS and thus, in theory, should be
more reliable and faster. Users of Microsoft Windows already
know that large Windows applications can occupy available hard
drive space in megabytes chunks - notebook users, confined to
small 20 or 40 megabyte hard drives, are usually faced with the
impossibility of upgrading the hard drive in the first place.
DOUBLESPACE stores data about the compression data for each
file in special hidden files Microsoft calls "volumes" which
are located in an uncompressed area of the main hard drive. Each
volume is assigned a drive letter "behind the scenes" so that DOS
stores compressed information to the volume disk and
uncompresses it when data is retrieved. The entire process is hidden
from view with the net result that users simply see the same
file names on the hard drive but an increase in overall disk
storage space.The typical ratio of compression once DOUBLESPACE
has worked its magic varies between 1.7 to 1 and 2.2 to 1.
DOS 6.0 automatically loads DOUBLESPACE when it first boots up
and before the CONFIG.SYS file is read, so even if CONFIG.SYS or
AUTOEXEC.BAT is missing or damaged, you should still be able to
access and use compressed files - a reliability feature
Microsoft programmers intended.
DOUBLESPACE is copied to your hard drive when you first install
DOS 6.0 but users must first run the utility to initiate
DOUBLESPACE activity. Without running the utility program,
DOUBLESPACE lies dormant. A series of menu selections are
presented which are relatively simple to use. Beware that the
actual initial compression session of a large number of files
can take substantial time when DOUBLESPACE is first run. On a
speedy 80386 processor-equipped system plan on about an hour per
20MB of files to be processed.
Other features within DOUBLESPACE provide command line or menu
driven options which can delete volumes or files, increase or
reduce a volume's size, and change the compression ratio.
This last feature, adjustment of the compression ratio is VERY
important as an occasional housekeeping chore since DOUBLESPACE
calculates the free space in the volume and multiplies this
number by the estimated compression ratio to produce available
space for storage. Gradually the estimated compression ratio
will be at variance with the real compression ratio and DOS may
run out of disk space a bit early or late. A quick check is to
use two new DOS 6.0 command switches updated in the DIR command:
DIR /CH <then press enter/return key>
DIR /C <then press enter/return key>
These commands produce reports showing the actual compression
ratio of files. Another tip: Note that the updated DOS 6.0
CHKDSK command now tests and repairs minor flaws in DOUBLESPACE
volumes and drives and should be run occasionally.
But there can be a downside to DOUBLESPACE magic since the
utility requires additional RAM memory and time resources. The
DOUBLESPACE driver requires about 40K of RAM - although it can
be loaded into the upper 384K of DOS memory using the following
command: DEVICEHIGH=DBLSPACE.SYS /MOVE in the CONFIG.SYS file.
Another downside: Reading compressed files back from a
compressed disk slows file access time by 2 to 4 percent, but
writing files to a DOUBLESPACE disk considerably slows things
down. If possible, use a disk cache to improve performance of
DOUBLESPACE, and DOS includes the SMARTDRV utility for just this
purpose. With DOUBLESPACE, small files written to disk entail
minimal time lag. Large files, however, require time to be
compressed before they can be written to disk.
Be sure to use the DOS 6.0 DEFRAG utility periodically if you
rely on DOUBLESPACE. DEFRAG is actually a licensed version of
the Norton utilities SPEEDDISK system and has been optimized to
work with DOUBLESPACE. It's purpose, as with all hard drive
defragmentation utilities, is to rearrange files into
contiguous, orderly units which can be read and written to a
drive as rapidly as possible.
Problems with DOUBLESPACE? Reports in the trade press suggest
that DOUBLESPACE is for the most part reliable. A few reports
have surfaced suggesting that the initial installation of
DOUBLESPACE should be performed with MINIMUM or NO programs
installed which are TSR in nature (popup calculators, notepads,
ramdrives, caches, etc). In other words, boot the computer from
a simple CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT file or DOS 6.0 system
floppy disk so that DOUBLESPACE can use the maximum amount of
RAM and disk space during its first installation since some
users have noted installation problems if DOUBLESPACE competes
with other TSR programs for memory during its initial
installation and compression session. The DOS SMARTDRV (Smart
Drive) utility) should probably be disabled or removed during
the initial DOUBLESPACE installation and then reinstalled after
DOUBLESPACE has been configured. It is absolutely necessary
to FIRST do any hard drive file repair before DOUBLESPACE is
installed! Usually running the CHKDSK utility on the hard drive
will locate the following typical hard drive file problems: bad
sectors, lost cluster, cross-linked files and stray zero byte
files. The command to run CHKDSK on a hard drive labelled C: is
as follows: CHKDSK C:
If you want to attempt to fix or recover lost hard drive file
clusters or repair cross-linked files run this command:
CHKDSK C: /F
DOUBLESPACE can use a variety of command line switches and menu
options to test a compressed volume, convert of Stacker
compressed files, defragment a compressed drive and other
functions. Use the DOS 6.0 HELP facility for further information
regarding these techniques and special command line switches.
At the DOS prompt, type:
HELP DBLSPACE <then press return/enter key>
----------------------------------------------------------------
FINALLY, BACKUP IS PAINLESS!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Earlier versions of DOS never quite got things right when it
came to backing up valuable files onto floppy disks or tape
drives. The older BACKUP and RESTORE commands were klunky,
unreliable and downright dangerous. With DOS 6.0, Microsoft
licensed a version of Symantec's Norton Backup for DOS and
Windows. This utility, MSBACKUP (for DOS) and MWBACKUP (for
Windows) finally provides convenience and either menu or command
line driven utility to the backup process and handles full or
partial backups.
In addition, the backup utility can format floppies on the fly
when needed. Three types of backups are supported: full,
incremental and differential. Backup settings and configuration
can be saved, password protection is provided, data compression
is implemented and menu driven commands are easy and reliable.
Speed is good - about 2MB per minute can be moved through the
backup utility and a convenient restore and compare option makes
sure that files are both intact and can be reconstructed when
needed.
One clever feature of the backup utility is the capability to
skip DOS system files and the large Windows 386 swap file -
both of which can be ignored in routine backup sessions.
MSBACKUP and MWBACKUP cleverly use the DOUBLESPACE utility to
compress backup files which reduces the required number of
floppies and saves time during a typical backup session.
Problems? MSBACKUP is not compatible with other backup systems
such as Norton Backup so users must either convert older backup
data to the new system, or keep a copy of their previous backup
utility on hand for older backup disks. In addition, tape
backup is not supported - a glaring omission for hard drive
users equipped with tape drive. For users backing up to
floppies, though, this is not a problem, obviously. Another
curious omission: MSBACKUP and MWBACKUP do not offer the option
to restore all files from a backup floppy disk set - files must
be individually selected. This becomes a nuisance for users
which to copy a large number of files from one machine to
another. Speed use of DMA (direct memory access), a feature
commonly found on all 80286, 80386 and 80486 equipped machines,
is not used by MSBACKUP - thus making the utility slower than it
could be.
Tip: If you use Windows, be sure to install both the Windows and
DOS versions of the MSBACKUP and MWBACKKUP since if something
goes wrong with Windows files, you can still restore backup
floppies using DOS if Windows is not operational.
MSBACKUP and MWBACKUP can use a variety of command line switches
and menu options to operate in black and white mode or display
with greater legibility on laptop computer screens. In addition,
backup catalog files contain unique names and contents to assist
in restoring backed up files. Use the DOS 6.0 HELP facility for
further information regarding these techniques and special
command line switches. At the DOS prompt, type:
HELP MSBACKUP <then press return/enter key>
----------------------------------------------------------------
UNDELETING FILES SAFELY WITH DOS 6.0
----------------------------------------------------------------
We've all done it: accidentally deleted a file and then wished
the file could be recovered. DOS 5.0 used two methods for
undeletion - either the UNDELETE command or the more robust
MIRROR utility which tracked the location and contents of
deleted files and thus speeded recovery from disaster. Both
methods were good, but had limitations which were not successful
in all cases of file deletion.
DOS 6.0 still includes these two useful utilities now called
the STANDARD method and DELETE TRACKER method, but adds the more
powerful option called the DELETE SENTRY method which moves
deleted files into a special hidden subdirectory where they can
be recovered if necessary. The mixed blessing with this scheme
is that disk space is not released, although owners of large
capacity hard drives may not be concerned, given the added peace
of mind DELETE SENTRY provides. Another problem, albeit small
for most users, is that DELETE SENTRY will only protect files up
to a total of 7 percent of available hard drive space - DOS thus
discards the oldest files from the hidden subdirectory to make
space for newer deleted files. While this last concept seems an
odd implementation for a file safety feature, it makes sense
because otherwise the hard drive would gradually fill with
deleted files which reside in the hidden directory.
In addition, the DOS 6.0 UNDELETE command can retrieve entire
subdirectories which have been accidentally deleted as well as
files. These features are available to both Windows and DOS
users via two versions of the utility. Either or both versions
of UNDELETE can be used. Users of Windows should probably
install both versions of UNDELETE for additional safety.
Check the DOS 6.0 HELP facility for more information which is
quite detailed regarding this valuable capability. At the DOS
command line type:
HELP UNDELETE <the press enter/return key>
----------------------------------------------------------------
MEMORY MAGIC WITH DOS 6.0
----------------------------------------------------------------
Before studying this section, readers might want to examine the
PC-Learn tutorial MANAGING MEMORY located in a subsequent
chapter since some technical memory terms are best covered in
that tutorial. Also read the DOS 5.0 tutorial for information on
related memory management utilities and commands such as
DEVICEHIGH, LOADHIGH, MEM, EMM386 and HIMEM.SYS.
New to DOS 6.0 is MEMMAKER, an automated utility for configuring
memory and relocating software programs in use. MEMMAKER tries
various RAM memory configurations, reboots the computer, checks
the result and if necessary makes further adjustments in an
attempt to locate more RAM memory for software, drivers and TSR
memory resident programs. The utility automates loading programs
into high memory, optimizes memory for Windows users and can
allocate RAM memory on the fly when necessary. It controls the
HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE memory driver/managers and makes
adjustments in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT startup files as
necessary.
The older DOS 5.0 utility EMM386 was an acceptable memory
manager for owners of 80386 machines, but produced unspectacular
memory savings in the critical RAM memory area between 640K and
1 Meg. DOS 6.0 adds a HIGHSCAN switch to the EMM 386 utility
to search for more usable high memory. Additionally, the revised
DOS 6.0 commands DEVICEHIGH and LOADHIGH, discussed in the PC-
Learn DOS 5.0 tutorial, are more effective at using the memory
they find by loading programs into sections of non-contiguous
blocks of high memory. Prior to this, these two utilities
required contiguous memory spaces - a waste of precious RAM
resources. However the real story behind DOS 6.0 memory
management is MEMMAKER which automates the process of installing
and using HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE - the two software drivers
that control high, extended and expanded memory.
MEMMAKER performs its function by testing and changing the
commands within the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files and
experimenting with different variations of the DEVICEHIGH and
LOADHIGH statements then rebooting the computer and studying
the results in an effort to use all available upper memory
blocks, sometimes called the UMB memory area.
MEMMAKER is also mindful of Windows software and provides a /W
switch for just this purpose. However, initially MEMMAKER
configures memory optimization for DOS programs unless
instructed otherwise. UMB memory management under windows is
important for a few of the more fussy windows applications such
as Ventura Publisher which require access to the first megabyte
of memory for table sorting and other functions - a reason for
the /W switch of MEMMAKER.
Another revised DOS 6.0 memory management feature allows
EMM386.EXE to define either extended or expanded memory from the
same RAM area on the fly. DOS 5.0 versions of EMM386 required
that memory be configured as either extended or expanded and
frozen that way. Now a user can run spreadsheets (which usually
require expanded memory) or databases (which use either extended
or expanded memory) without having to know much about memory
management since EMM386 will switch between the two types
automatically.
Problems? Be careful when using the DOS 6.0 multi-configuration
menu option (booting up and choosing different CONFIG.SYS
options from a menu), since MEMMAKER can sometimes delete or
mangle the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files beyond use. It is
probably best to copy your configuration data from those two
files safely to a floppy disk before MEMMAKER is run and then
study the resulting CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT contents after
MEMMAKER has finished.
MEMMAKER can use a variety of command line switches for
specialized settings. Use the DOS 6.0 HELP facility for further
information regarding these techniques and special command line
switches. Also consult the help facility for assistance
regarding the related commands DEVICEHIGH, LOADHIGH, MEM, EMM386
and HIMEM.SYS. Finally, refer to the multiple configuration
discussion later in this tutorial which also affects memory
configuration. At the DOS prompt, type one of these examples for
more information.
HELP MEMMAKER <then press return/enter key>
HELP LOADHIGH <then press return/enter key>
HELP MEM <then press return/enter key>
HELP DEVICEHIGH <then press return/enter key>
HELP HIGHMEM.SYS <then press return/enter key>
HELP EMM386 <then press return/enter key>
----------------------------------------------------------------
A NOTE REGARDING THE SMART DRIVE CACHE UTILITY
----------------------------------------------------------------
DOS 5.0 and DOS 6.0 contain a disk cache program called Smart
Drive or SMARTDRV. The purpose of this utility program is to
speed hard drive performance by storing frequently used
information in speedy RAM memory rather than forcing the central
processor to continually request slower hard drive access.
Software which uses the hard drive heavily is accelerated by
using SMARTDRV.
However, a concern arises for users of the SMARTDRV version
contained DOS 6.0 since SMARTDRV does NOT write stored
information to the hard drive immediately but waits for a brief
time if the processor is busy. The SMARTDRV utility in DOS 5.0
always writes information to the hard drive immediately without
this lag. The version in DOS 6.0 does not.
Obviously if the computer is turned off, a power failure occurs
or perhaps a different software program is closed and a new
software program started, there is a chance that the DOS 6.0
SMARTDRV utility may not have the chance to write its stored
information safely to the hard drive. Substantial loss of data
can and has occurred! Users of DOS 6.0 can force SMARTDRV to
immediately write data to the hard drive using this command:
SMARTDRV /C
Use the DOS 6.0 HELP facility for more information since SMARTDRV
contains a large number of specialized command line switches and
examples. At the DOS command line type:
HELP SMARTDRV <then press return/enter key>
----------------------------------------------------------------
VIRUS PROTECTION AT LAST
----------------------------------------------------------------
Central Point Software was the source of the DOS 6.0 antivirus
utilities, MSAV (DOS version) and MWAV (for Windows users.) In
addition, VSAFE, a memory resident virus detection utility is
now a part of DOS.
The temptation to check stray disks about the office and
investigate shareware packages is ever present - and thus so is
the possibility of computer virus infection as discussed in
greater detail in the PC-Learn virus tutorial elsewhere.
VSAFE remains in memory and constantly compares specific file
checksums or CRC numbers (cyclic redundancy check) to detect
file changes due to virus infection. If VSAFE locates suspicious
virus activity such as modifications to a disk's boot sector,
file allocation table or partition table an alarm is sounded. At
that point the user can invoke the MSAV utility for file repair
or removal as necessary.
MSAV is loaded at the request of the user and scans an entire
drive or subdirectory - including RAM memory - for the presence
of computer virus infestation. Note that new virus strains are
always on the rise so that Microsoft has made provision for two
free updates to MSAV. Subsequent updates, handled by Central
Point Software, will probably cost a few dollars, but be
available by postal or speedy modem update as needed. Note that
if MSAV finds a virus in a file it either repairs the file or
deletes it, whichever is possible.
Problems? VSAFE does require about 40K of memory since it is a
TSR memory resident program - not all users may want to allocate
RAM for this function, but busy offices with many disks in
constant circulation and thus risk of virus infection might find
the tradeoff acceptable. However, for isolated users who rarely
try new disks and software, an occasional scan with MSAV once
or twice a week may be plenty of protection.
Use the DOS 6.0 HELP facility for more information since MSAV
contains a large number of specialized command line switches and
examples. At the DOS command line type:
HELP MSAV <then press return/enter key>
----------------------------------------------------------------
MULTIPLE STARTUP CONFIGURATIONS - A POWER USER CONCEPT
----------------------------------------------------------------
The situation arises all too easily. Depending on the programs
you are running there are times when the critical CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BAT startup files of your hard drive must be modified.
Perhaps a RAM memory configuration in one case for a Windows
program and later in the day a different configuration for a DOS
program.
Prior to DOS 6.0 this conundrum meant dragging out a text editor
or the DOS EDIT utility and tinkering with the CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BAT files in the root directory of the hard drive,
restarting the computer to effect the new configuration and then
later revising both files again to return to the previous
settings and again restarting the computer. Tedious at best.
No longer. Under DOS 6.0 a new MULTI-CONFIG option allows the
user to modify the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files with new
commands so that a menu of up to 12 different choices is
presented when the computer first starts. After a key is pressed
a specific configuration is selected which can later be changed
by restarting the computer and again selecting from the startup
menu.
Let's look at a specific example. Novices may first wish to read
the MANAGING RAM MEMORY tutorial and the BATCH FILE tutorial
elsewhere in PC-Learn to understand some of the concepts
discussed next.
Tip: The Multiple Configuration Option is most frequently of use
when selecting among different RAM memory configurations,
installing different software drivers or switching between
Windows and DOS applications during the day.
As an example, when you start you PC each morning perhaps you
would always like your CONFIG.SYS startup file to contain the
following lines:
FILES=20
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE
STACKS=0,0
However when you load Windows perhaps you would like to set the
FILES statement to 40, the EMM386 utility to NOEMS and stacks to
9,256.
However in all cases you wish to load the HIMEM.SYS utility,
place DOS into high memory and set BUFFERS to 20.
Here is a modified CONFIG.SYS file which provides a menu of
choices using the DOS 6.0 multiple configuration option. Note
that any valid CONFIG.SYS statement can be used with this
scheme, the following example is provided merely to get you
started...
Using any text editor or the DOS EDIT utility, create a short
CONFIG.SYS file in the root directory of your hard drive (or
modify your current CONFIG.SYS file) so that the following
statements are present:
[Menu]
MENUITEM=DOS, DOS Startup
MENUITEM=WINDOWS, Windows Startup
MENUDEFAULT DOS,5
MENUCOLOR 15,1
[Common]
BUFFERS=20
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
[DOS]
FILES=20
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE
STACKS=0,0
[WINDOWS]
FILES=40
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
STACKS=9,256
In the above statements within the CONFIG.SYS, a menu will appear
at startup giving the user a choice - in this example, a choice
between "Dos Startup" and "Windows Startup".
The first line "[Menu]" alerts DOS 6.0 that the multi-
configuration option is active and that a menu will be
constructed. Lines two and three use the MENUITEM statement to
respectively define the name of the labels which will be used
later in both the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT (either DOS or
WINDOWS) and screen titles (DOS Startup, Windows Startup).
Line four, the MENUDEFAULT statement is used to cause the
computer to wait for 5 seconds (this can be adjusted by changing
the number to a higher or lower value) and then if no key is
pressed by the user to automatically run the DOS menu option as
the default, predetermined choice.
In line 5, a menu color is defined with bright white on blue
(15,1). Other colors are noted by consulting the DOS 6.0 help
facility for further color choices.
In the next line, the [Common] statement advises the menu that
the following three lines referring to BUFFERS, HIMEM.SYS and
DOS=HIGH are always run as common to either menu choice and thus
always activated.
The three lines following the [DOS] statement are run only if
the menu option for DOS has been selected by a keypress.
Alternatively, the three lines following the [WINDOWS] statement
are run only if the Windows option has been selected by a
keypress.
It should be noted that up to 12 different menu options can be
created. Other than the label [Common], any labels can be
selected - it is not necessary to use labels such as [DOS] and
[Windows]. For instance a user to rewrite the menu structure
using labels such as [Bob's settings] or [Mary's settings].
Configuration options are limited only by the imagination of the
user in constructing a suitable CONFIG.SYS menu structure.
However, the plot thickens since it must be noted that on
startup the computer uses both CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT
files. Cleverly, DOS 6.0 allows customization there also...
Keeping the above example in mind, the next step is an OPTIONAL
modification to likewise adjust statements in the AUTOEXEC.BAT
file of the same computer. Note that this modification is not
necessary, but provides further control as required by the user.
Novices who are unfamiliar with the AUTOEXEC.BAT file may wish
to refer to the PC-learn tutorial on BATCH FILES for background
information before studying this example. The AUTOEXEC.BAT file
which follows uses references to the previous CONFIG.SYS example
to achieve further startup customization.
ECHO OFF
CLS
PROMPT $p$g
GOTO %CONFIG%
GOTO END
:DOS
SMARTDRV 4096
LOADHIGH DOSKEY
PATH C:\;C:\DOS;\C:\GAMES
GOTO END
:WINDOWS
SMARTDRV 1024
PATH C:\;C:\DOS;\C:\WINDOWS
LOADHIGH C:\DOS\MOUSE
CD \WINDOWS
WIN
GOTO END
:END
In the above AUTOEXEC.BAT example, the first two lines turn off
the screen echo facility and clear the screen. The third line
referring to the prompt is run regardless of whatever menu
selection was made in the previous CONFIG.SYS file example. In
the fourth line the GOTO %CONFIG% statement locates the stored
keypress selection the user has made in the previous CONFIG.SYS
example. This statement sets the stage for events which will
follow so that if the DOS menu choice was made, the three
statements following the label :DOS are run so that the
SMARTDRIVE utility is installed with a cache size of 4096
Kilobytes, the DOSKEY utility is loaded into high memory and the
computer is changed into a games subdirectory. However if the
user selected a Windows startup, the five statements following
the :WINDOWS label are run which include starting SMARTDRIVE
with a cache size of 1024 Kilobytes, installation of a mouse and
changing into the Windows subdirectory of the hard drive and
running Windows.
The Multiple Configuration Option of DOS 6.0 is obviously a
powerful capability which requires study and planning. A summary
of multi-configuration command statements and examples are
contained in the DOS 6.0 HELP facility. At the DOS command line
type:
HELP MULTI-CONFIG <then press return/enter key>
Tip: If you are using a version of DOS earlier than 6.0 you can
still obtain capabilities similar to the multi-config option by
purchasing either BOOT.SYS or BOOTCON, two software utilities
which are available from most shareware dealers. See the PC-
Learn tutorial SOFTWARE RESOURCES for a list of shareware
vendors which should carry these two utilities.
----------------------------------------------------------------
A FUNCTION KEY SHORTCUT
----------------------------------------------------------------
DOS 6.0 has a clever option which allows you to step through or
even bypass your CONFIG.SYS file completely. Pressing F5 or the
Shift key when you see the message "Starting MS-DOS" will skip
the CONFIG.SYS file and replace it with default settings. If you
press F8 instead you can select via a yes/no choice the various
device drivers and statements of the CONFIG.SYS one at a time!
A problem may arise on computers which operate too rapidly to
allow you to hit the F5 or F8 keys, though. If this is the case,
simply add these lines to the beginning of your CONFIG.SYS file
to slow things down so you can select a keypress:
[MENU]
MenuDefault=Normal,5
MenuItem=Normal
[Normal]
The above CONFIG.SYS modification will give you 5 seconds to
press either the F5 or F8 key. If nothing is done, after 5
seconds bootup continues with default values in whatever
CONFIG.SYS settings are present. The 5 second value in the above
example can be changed to any value between 1 and 90 seconds.
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