How To Make A Boot Disk with DOS 5.x - 6.x Guide
Mindscape Technical Support
revised 5/30/96
Document Length: 5 printed pages


        ******************** CAUTION - DISCLAIMER ********************
    NOTICE: Mindscape, Inc. will not be responsible for any damage or other
    consequences resulting from changes made to system configuration files.
    You make any changes at your own risk.

    Even is you are familiar with modifying your system and/or files,
    Mindscape still suggests you first print out a hard copy of the file
    & make backup copies of any files you intend to modify.
        ******************** CAUTION - DISCLAIMER ********************

NOTE: < > means to press the associated key on the keyboard.
Example:  <Enter> means press the Enter Key.


WHY MAKE A SYSTEM BOOT DISK?
   A system boot disk is useful to help troubleshoot problems running your
   software & to free up additional memory.  The configuration your machine
   loads when you turn it on is fine for the majority of your programs.
   However, some programs may not run or run correctly because of unnecessary
   TSR's (Terminate and Stay Resident programs) that load in your startup
   files when you turn on your computer.  A boot disk will help you tailor
   a configuration to the program in question without having to risk creating
   new problems running your current software.


MAKING A SYSTEM BOOT DISK
 1. Insert a blank diskette in drive A:.

 2. At a C:\> DOS prompt, type:

        FORMAT A:/S  <Enter>
          (type BOOTDISK when it asks for "Volume Label".)

    This will format the disk in drive A: with the sytem files needed for
    a boot disk.
   
 3. After the disk is formatted, you need to copy the CONFIG.SYS and
    AUTOEXEC.BAT to the boot disk.  From the C:\> DOS prompt, type:

        COPY CONFIG.SYS A:  <Enter>
          (it should respond with: "1 file(s) copied".)

        COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT A:  <Enter>
          (it should respond with: "1 file(s) copied".)

 4. Go to the A:\> DOS prompt by typing:

        A:  <Enter>

 5. Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the boot disk, using the DOS editor.
    REMark or remove any unnecessary TSR's.  To do this type:

        EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT  <Enter>

    A blue screen should appear with the contents of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
    Below is a sample AUTOEXEC.BAT.  It lists only the minimal files necessary
    to run Mindscape programs.

  NOTE: Your AUTOEXEC.BAT may not look like the sample listed below.  If your
        AUTOEXEC.BAT looks different, do not change it to look like the
        sample below.  Refer to your computer documentation for specific line
        syntax for the drivers loading.
         
         @ECHO OFF
         PROMPT $P$G
         SET PATH=C:\DOS
         SET TEMP=C:\TEMP                       <-Make sure directory exists
         SET BLASTER=A220 I5 D1                 <-Sound Card settings line
         LH C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:10  <-Microsoft's CD-ROM Extension
                                                  driver
         LH C:\MSINPUT\MOUSE.EXE /Q             <-Mouse Driver
         REM C:\DOS\POWER.EXE                   <-Unnecessary TSR

    Type REM in front of any unnecessary TSR's like the POWER.EXE line listed
    above.  To save the new changes, use your mouse to click SAVE from the
    File pulldown menu, then click EXIT.  If your mouse is not working, press
    <ALT> <F> from your keyboard.  Press <S> to Save and <X> to Exit.

 6. Edit your CONFIG.SYS file on the boot disk, using the DOS editor.  REMark
    or remove any unnecessary TSR's.  To do this type:

        EDIT CONFIG.SYS  <Enter>

    A blue screen should appear with the contents of the CONFIG.SYS file.
    Below is a sample CONFIG.SYS.  It lists only the minimal files necessary
    to run Mindscape programs.

  NOTE: Your CONFIG.SYS may not look like the sample listed below.  If your
        CONFIG.SYS looks different, do not change it to look like the sample
        below.  Refer to your computer documentation for specific line
        syntax for the drivers loading.

         DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS                   <-Memory manager
         DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE                  <-Extended / Expanded
                                                     memory manager
         DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE              <-DOS Set Version driver
         DEVICEHIGH=C:\DEV\NEC_IDE.SYS /D:MSCD001  <-CD-ROM driver
         REM DEVICE=C:\SB16\CTMMSYS.SYS            <-Unnecessary TSR
         REM DEVICE=C:\SB16\CTSB16.SYS             <-Unnecessary TSR
         DOS=UMB
         FILES=30                                  <-Recommended # of Files
         BUFFERS=30,0                              <-Recommended # of Buffers
         DOS=HIGH

    Type REM in front of any unnecessary TSR's like the CTMMSYS.SYS &
    CTSB16.SYS lines listed above.  To save the new changes, use your mouse
    to click SAVE from the File pulldown menu, then click EXIT.  If your mouse
    is not working, press <ALT> <F> from your keyboard.  Press <S> to Save
    and <X> to Exit.

EMM386.EXE
    Take a look at the EMM386.EXE line.  In order for EMM386 to work, it must
    load after HIMEM.SYS, and it should apear before any other device drivers.

    You may run into EMM386 parameters like X= and I=.  The X= argument
    prevents a certain range of memory from being used while the I= argument
    makes available a certain range of memory.  If the boot disk does not
    help to resolve the problems you experienced, remove these parameters as
    a last resort.

SOUND CARD DRIVERS
    Some sound cards require a driver loaded in the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT
    to operate.  If you have a sound card that requires such a driver, be sure
    to add it to the CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT on the boot disk.  Listed
    below is a listing of sound cards and the DOS drivers needed to provide
    the necessary Sound Blaster Emulation.  If you have one of the cards
    listed below.  Make sure you have the necessary driver loaded.  If not,
    then consult your sound card documentation or call the manufacturer for
    assistance.

                              SOUND CARD DRIVERS

    DIAMOND sound cards                   ENSONIQ SOUNDSCAPE
        AUTOEXEC.BAT                          AUTOEXEC.BAT
          C:\DIAMOND\SNDINIT /B                 SET BLASTER=A220 Ixx Dx
          SET BLASTER= <see above>              C:\SNDSCAPE\SSINIT /I
                                                C:\SNDSCAPE\VSB_EMM.COM


    FORTE 16- Common on Packard Bells     GRAVIS ULTRASOUND
        AUTOEXEC.BAT                          AUTOEXEC.BAT
          C:\FORTE16\UTILITY\EMUTSR             C:\ULTRASND\ULTRNINIT
          SET BLASTER= <see above>              SBOS.BAT
                                                SET BLASTER= <see above>


    MAD 16                                MAGIC S20
        AUTOEXEC.BAT                          AUTOEXEC.BAT
          C:\MAD16\M16INIT /B                   C:\MAGICS20\SNDINIT /B
          SET BLASTER= <see above>              SET BLASTER= <see above>


    MONTE CARLO By Turtle Beach         
        CONFIG.SYS                      
          DEVICE=C:\MCARLO\MCMODE -S
        AUTOEXEC.BAT
          SET BLASTER= <see above>


    PRO AUDIO SPECTRUM 16
        CONFIG.SYS
          DEVICE=SPECTRUM\MVSOUND.SYS D:* Q:* S:**
             *D: DMA Channel     *Q: IRQ Settings
            **S: Sound Blaster Emulation ON / OFF And Settings
          AUTOEXEC.BAT
            SET BLASTER= <see above>


    SC400                                 SOUND 16A - Common on Packard Bells
        AUTOEXEC.BAT                         AUTOEXEC.BAT
          C:\SC400\UTILITY\SNDINIT /B          C:\SOUND16A\UTILITY\SETMODE /SB
          SET BLASTER= <see above>          or C:\AUDIO\SNDINIT.EXE /B
                                               SET BLASTER= <see above>


    SOUND144 - Common on Packard Bells
        AUTOEXEC.BAT
          C:\SOUND144\UTILITY\SETMODE /SBP
       or C:\SOUND144\UTILITY\AZCAL.EXE
          SET BLASTER= <see above>

 NOTE:  Sound Blaster cards now include CONFIG.SYS driver (as noted in the
        sample CONFIG.SYS above).  These drivers offer Sound Blaster support
        for programs that do not provide their own.  As Mindscape programs
        provide Sound Blaster support, these drivers are not necessary and
        REMarking them from your CONFIG.SYS will free up an additional 35K
        of Conventional Memory.

 7. To use the Boot Disk, restart the machine (by either the reset button
    or <CTRL> <ALT> <DEL>) while the boot disk is in drive A:.


CONTACTING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
   If these suggestions / steps did not resolve the problem you are
   experiencing, please contact Technical Support and be able to provide
   the following information:

 1. Copies of your Config.sys and Autoexec.bat from the hard drive.
    Copies of your Config.sys, Autoexec.bat, and Mem /c/p from your boot disk
    in printed form or a text only file.
 2. Name of program
 3. Version of program
 4. Media Type:  (CD-ROM or Diskette)
 5. Platform of program:  (DOS)
 6. Exact problem and steps necessary to reproduce.
    Include any error messages and be as precise as possible in describing
    the problem and where it happens.
 7. Computer make and model (e.g. IBM Aptiva, Packard Bell Legend, etc...)
 8. CPU chip and speed (e.g. 486 DX4 100, P90, etc...)
 9. RAM [memory] (e.g. 8 MB, 16 MB, etc...)
10. Video Card Manufacturer and model number
       (e.g. Diamond Stealth 64 PCI, Cirrus Logic 542X, etc...)
11. Sound Card Manufacturer and model number
       (e.g. Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 PnP, Ensoniq UltraSound, etc...)
12. Mouse driver and version
       (e.g. Microsoft Mouse Driver 8.2, Logitech version 5.0, etc...) 
13. CD ROM Drive Manufacturer and model number.
       (e.g. Texel DM 5924 external , NEC 6X, etc...)


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office nearest you:

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Currently, Mindscape UK does not have any Online services.  Please correspond
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