The World of Computer Software/The World of Computer Software.iso/q387utg.zip/Q387.DOC

Text File | 1992-10-05 | 16KB | 340 lines

                  Documentation for Q387, Version 3.0a
                    Copyright, 1991, 1992, QuickWare
                            P.O. Box 684652
                          Austin, Texas 78768
                              512-280-1452
                            August 25, 1992

     Q387  Version  3.0a  is a math  accelerator  and  math  coprocessor
emulator.   It  will both increase the performance of your  computer  in
math  intensive  applications and allow you to  run  applications  which
require a math coprocessor,  and this is all done without any additional
hardware.  The benefits and requirements of Q387 are -

Benefits -

     o Up to 6 times higher math performance.

     o Reduces computation times by up to 80% for spreadsheets, graphics,
       CAD, font generation for desktop publishing, games, etc.

     o Allows the running of programs which require a math chip, such as
       AutoCAD, Mathematica, COSMOS/M, etc.

     o Fully compatible with DOS, most Expanded Memory Managers (EMMs),
       Windows 3.1 Standard and 386 Enhanced Modes, and most DOS Extender
       applications (such as AutoCAD 11 and 386, Quattro Pro, etc.).

     o Accurate math coprocessor emulation.

     o Uses NO DOS memory (loads into extended memory completely).

     o Low cost, only $25.

     o Free upgrades to enhanced releases.


Requirements -

     o 386SX, 386DX, or 486SX based computer, IBM PC or compatible,
       with at least 1.5 Megabytes total memory.

     o Q387 uses about 330k bytes of extended memory.

     o A 386 compatible Expanded Memory Manager (EMM), such as
       EMM386.EXE (comes with DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1), QEMM386,
       386MAX, or the EMM386.SYS that comes with Dr. DOS 6.0.


How Q387 works -

     Run Q387 from your Autoexec.bat file or from DOS.  You must have an
Expanded  Memory  Manager  (EMM) loaded.  Q387 then  loads  itself  into
extended  memory,  using the services provided by the  EMM.   It  leaves
absolutely  no trace of itself in DOS memory, or in any memory  directly
accessible  by DOS, thereby using none of this valuable resource.   Q387
instructs  your computer to use Q387 to perform math operations  instead
of  your  application's math routines. Intel has built  this  capability
into the design of the 386 and higher chip.  Since Q387 runs  completely
in extended memory, it can utilize the full power of the 386 chip,  such
as  32  bit operations and fast access to large amounts  of  inexpensive
memory.   This has allowed us to optimize Q387 for speed.  We have  also
used advanced numerical techniques to increase speed.  The net result is
that  all  math functions with Q387 operate many times faster  than  the
built-in math functions that come with your applications.

Example  benchmarks - on a DELL System 310, 4Mb ram, 32k cache,  20  Mhz
386, with EMM386.exe loaded, all times in seconds.

            Run Without           With          Percent Speed
               Q387               Q387            Increase

     1         14.0               3.8               368
     2          6.3               2.5               252
     3         22.4               6.2               361
     4         17.7               3.9               453
     5         49.0               9.5               505
     6        342.1              80.2               426

Run Descriptions -

     Run 1 - Zoom out on a drawing, Generic CADD, by Generic Software.
     Run 2 - Invert a 24 by 24 matrix, Quattro Pro, by Borland.
     Run 3 - AMD math coprocessor demo, Tree fractal.
     Run 4 - AMD math coprocessor demo, Compound interest calculation.
     Run 5 - Plot a graph on screen, GRAPHER, by Golden Software.
     Run 6 - Prepare data file for 3-d viewing, SURFER, by Golden
             Software.


     If  you use Windows 3.1, your Windows applications with  Q387  will
run  somewhat  faster in Standard Mode (WIN /s).  This is  due  to  some
overhead  operations  required to handle the multi-tasking  of  Enhanced
Mode.   Enhanced Mode does offer virtual memory, however, so which  mode
is  best to use depends on the math content of your  application  versus
its  need for more memory.  DOS applications running in a DOS  box  will
run just as fast as in regular DOS.  You can also run Dos Protected Mode
Interface (DPMI) compatible DOS extender applications (e.g. AutoCAD  12)
in a DOS box.  Like Windows applications, these will run slightly slower
as  compared  to  running them in regular DOS, but  you  can  multi-task
multiple DOS boxes.

     We  anticipate that Q387, with the new Cyrix 486SLC chip,  will  be
faster than an equivalent speed 386SX/387SX combination, making it  more
cost-effective  to buy a computer with the 486SLC chip and  Q387  rather
than a computer with a 386SX/387SX combination.

     The   program  is, as distributed on a disk or a  bulletin   board,
both a demonstration of Q387, and the full working code.  After Q387  is
loaded as a demo, it will  execute for 10 minutes after you load it.  It
then  performs   a standard DOS termination of your  program  (all  open
files are closed, memory used by the application is released, etc.).  In
this  way,   you can  see  first  hand  how  well   it   performs   with
your   applications.  You are returned to the DOS prompt after the  demo
is over.  If you are using a DOS shell, you may not see the shell  after
the demo is complete, although it is there. If you decide that you would
like to purchase Q387 so that it will run indefinitely on your computer,
please  send  the required fee (see below) to QuickWare at  the  address
listed  above.   We will, within three working days, mail to you  a  Run
Code  which  will  allow Q387 to run indefinitely.   You  will  need  to
include your Machine Code, a number which Q387 determines and prints  on
the order form at the start of a demo run.  The Run Code is specific  to
the  machine  on which you run the demo, so be sure to get  the  Machine
Code  of  the  computer you intend to use Q387 on.  The  Run  Code  also
represents  a  license to run Q387 on one machine only  (see  below  for
volume  discounts).  If you change your motherboard or your BIOS  chips,
you may get one new Run Code, for a service charge of $7.  This may also
be necessary if you change your hard disk drive controller.


Expanded Memory Managers tested with -

     1.  DOS 5.0's EMM386.exe and Window's 3.1 EMM386.exe, by MicroSoft.
     2.  QEMM386.exe version 5.1 and 6.0, by QuarterDeck Office Systems.
     3.  386MAX version 6, by Qualitas.
     4.  Dr. Dos's EMM386.sys, version 6.0, by Digital Research.

DOS Extenders tested with -

     1.  386|DOS Extender, by Phar Lapp.
     2.  Intel 386/486 C Code Builder, by Intel.
     2.  DOS 16/M, by Rational Systems.
     3.  The 16 bit DOS extender that Borland uses with Borland C++
         and Quattro Pro (probably DOS 16/M).
     4.  Window's 3.1 Standard Mode, by MicroSoft.
     5.  Window's 3.1 386 Enhanced Mode (also functions as an EMM and
         multitasker), by MicroSoft.
     6.  Q387 will not currently work with the ERGO 32 bit DOS
         extender.  This was used by the Lahey FORTRAN compiler, but
         Lahey has switched to the Phar Lapp 386|DOS Extender, which
         Q387 does work with.

Applications tested with -

     1.  AutoCAD 11, by AutoDesk, Inc.
     2.  COSMOS/M, by Structural Research Inc.
     3.  Surfer and Grapher, by Golden Software.
     4.  Generic CADD, by Generic Software.
     5.  Borland C++, by Borland International, Inc.
     6.  Intel 386/486 C Code Builder.
     7.  Quattro Pro, by Borland.
     8.  Various engineering analysis C programs compiled with Borland
         C++.
     9.  Lahey FORTRAN, F77L-EM/32, Version 5.00 (This is a DPMI com-
         patible application, and so will run in a Windows 3.1 DOS
         box).

Diagnostic utilities tested with -

     1.  Advanced Micro Devices' math coprocessor demo.
     3.  QAPlus, by DiagSoft, Inc.


EMM configuration options -

     When  using QEMM386 or 386MAX, you don't have to be concerned  with
how to configure expanded and extended memory, as these EMM's take  care
of  that  for  you.  When  using the EMM386.exe from  Microsoft  or  the
EMM386.sys that comes with Dr. DOS,  you need to specify at least enough
expanded  memory  for  Q387.   Although Q387 uses  only  about  330k  of
expanded  (in extended) memory, other applications may already be  using
some of the expanded memory at the time Q387 is loaded.  Therefore,  you
may need to specify more than the 330k required by Q387.  If you are not
using Windows 3.1 386 Enhanced Mode, it is best to allocate all of  your
memory  to expanded memory, as expanded memory is readily usable by  all
DOS  extenders  and most regular DOS applications.  Expanded  memory  is
much  faster than extended (or XMS, for eXtended  Memory  Specification)
memory  for regular DOS applications.  If you are using Windows 3.1  386
Enhanced  Mode  (and  not  using QEMM386 or  386MAX),  then  you  should
allocate  the minimum expanded memory possible, since  Windows  Enhanced
Mode uses none of the unused expanded memory (Windows Enhanced Mode only
uses  XMS   memory.  If you have not specified enough  expanded  memory,
Q387 will tell you when it tries to load.

     If  you specify only enough expanded memory to allow Q387  to  load
(as you should do when running Windows Enhanced Mode with EMM386),  then
older  DOS Extender programs may refuse to load, as they cannot use  XMS
memory  (the  only kind of non-DOS memory available after  all  expanded
memory  has been used up).  This includes such applications  as  AutoCAD
11.   This  problem is not caused by Q387, but rather by using  an  EMM.
More recent releases (such as AutoCAD 12) do not have this problem.   If
you do run into this problem, you will have to have different EMM memory
allocations  for Windows Enhanced Mode and for your older  DOS  Extender
applications.

     If  you  have  not previously used an EMM,  you  should  notice  an
significant  increase  in  performance with many  of  your  regular  DOS
applications,  as  many DOS applications will use  Expanded  Memory  for
temporary  storage  if it is available.  Before Q387 V3.0,  however,  an
EMM386  doubled  the run time of math intensive applications  (when  run
without   a  coprocessor  on  the  computer).   With  Q387,   your   DOS
applications  can now have the benefit of both Expanded Memory and  very
fast math operations.

Example  CONFIG.SYS  with  DOS 5.0 for use with  Q387  and  Windows  386
Enhanced Mode -

     device=\dos\himem.sys
     device=\dos\emm386.exe 384

The  "384" on the emm386.exe line specifies that emm386.exe is  to  make
available  384k  of ram as expanded memory.  For  Windows  386  Enhanced
Mode,  you want this number to be as small as will still allow  Q387  to
load, since if it is larger than this minimum, the extra expanded memory
is wasted.

Example CONFIG.SYS with DOS 5.0 for use with Q387 and older DOS Extender
applications (e.g. AutoCAD 11) -

     device=\dos\himem.sys
     device=\dos\emm386.exe 3072

Here,  3072k  of expanded memory has been reserved.  Q387  will  require
about  320k  of  this, and the rest is available  to  the  DOS  Extender
application or any DOS application that uses expanded memory.

     Again,  with QEMM386 and 386MAX, you don't have to  have  different
config.sys setups for Windows and DOS Extender sessions.



Bug reports -

     If you notice anything that appears incorrect while operating Q387,
try  to  determine  if Q387 is involved by rebooting  and  running  your
application again without Q387 loaded.  If the problem remains the same,
then Q387 could not be causing it.  If the problem disappears, then Q387
may be involved.  If this occurs, and you have access to a BBS, download
the  latest version of Q387 and try it again.  If the problem  persists,
please  write  to us (or call) and describe the  problem  in  sufficient
detail for us to reproduce it.  We may need a copy of the file(s)  which
you  are  using.   If we don't have your application to  test,  we  will
attempt to secure a copy of it.


Updates -

     Due to our distribution method, we are able to provide free updates
to  all registered users.  All you have to do is to  periodically  check
your favorite BBS for a more recent release of Q387.  The Run Code which
you  purchase  will  work  for  these  later  releases.   We  anticipate
releasing  Q387  V3.1  by November, 1992.

Planned Enhancements for Version 3.1 -

     1. A slightly slower, but smaller (about 100k bytes) version.
     2. Removeable from memory without rebooting.
     3. A faster full sized version.
     4. Windows 3.0 Enhanced Mode compatability.

Backups -

     You really only need to keep your Run Code safe, as Q387 itself  is
available from many BBS's.  Make a backup of Q387 if you don't have easy
access  to a BBS.  If you lose your Run Code, we will look up  your  Run
Code  for a processing fee of $5.  Just send us your Machine Code  (it's
on the order form) and tell us you need a replacement Run Code.

Viruses -

     Q387  was scanned for viruses with the Norton AntiVirus  before  it
was Zipped.

Money-back guarantee -

     If,  within  a  year of your purchase,  Q387 has  any  error  which
prevents it from successfully emulating a 387 math coprocessor with  any
of your applications, and you report the error in sufficient detail  for
us to reproduce it in our office, and we cannot successfully remedy  the
error  within  10 days from the time at which we reproduced  the  error,
then we will refund to you the purchase price of your Run Code.


If you have a 286 machine -

     If you don't have a 386 machine but do have a 286, 386SX conversion
kits  are  available from other vendors for less than  $200  which  will
allow  your  286 to run applications such as AutoCAD 11, when  you  have
Q387  installed.   386 motherboards are also getting  to  be  relatively
inexpensive.  There are also rumors that Cyrix's new 486SLC chip will be
available soon as a user replaceable upgrade for 286 machines (at  least
with the 386SX conversion kits).

Distribution of Q387 -

     Free  distribution of Q387 without Run Codes is both permitted  and
encouraged.  Distribution  of Q387 with Run Code(s)  is  not  permitted.
Both  software  and  hardware vendors are  welcome  to  distribute  Q387
without Run Codes.

     Q387  can  be found on several bulletin board  services.   Some  of
these  are  Compuserve (IBM Hardware Forum), GENIE (IBM  PC  libraries),
America  On-Line, Delphi, and CADENCE BBS (New Uploads).   Search  files
for Q387.  The full file name is Q387.zip.

Payment options - (valid through December, 1993)

     o  $25 US currency with either a check from a US bank, or  a  money
       order (US currency money orders are available worldwide).   Texas
       residents  please add state sales tax.  If your state  requires
       you to pay sales tax on out-of-state mail order purchases, please
       add the required amount.

     o Add  $5 (US and Canada only) if you want your Run Code faxed or
       called back (1  call only) (include fax or phone #). Add $10 for
       fax  or call back to other countries. If call back,  the  number
       being called should be equipped with an answering machine, as we
       can only afford to call once, and we may call at any time of the
       day.  We will also mail the Run Code to you for your records.

     o $35 US currency if written on a check from a non-US bank.  The
       higher amount is required to cover the bank's fees.

     As  of this release, we do not accept credit cards as payment.   As
soon  as  our sales volume can support it, we will provide  for  payment
with Visa or MasterCard.  If this release is more than 3 months old, try
to  get a more recent release which will tell you whether or not we  are
accepting credit cards at this time.