Copyright: (c) 1995 3rd Computer Systems
Citation: (c) 1995 3rd Computer Systems


About 3rd Computer Systems

3rd Computer Systems develops utilities to make computing simpler, more productive, and more enjoyable for everyone.

I am anxious to accept all feedback to this program and to hear any suggestions that you may have for new products.

Feedback is welcome via e-mail to jam237@psu.edu, please let me know if you have any problems getting this program running, I will be more than happy to get back to you as soon as possible.

This program is available on the CICA archives at ftp.cica.indiana.edu in the pub/win95 directory.  Look in the upload area to see if there is a new version there, also check in the desktop area for the most recent file that has been moved there.

This program is also available, and tech support is available through EXEC PC BBS (414)789-4210 or telnet to bbs.execpc.com.


Auto-Win Mode Syntax

Auto-Win mode is initiated by the DOS MODE syntax of

SET DOSMODE=-x

Where x is any negative number, indicates that you wish to go into Windows 95, and is mainly useful for multi-config setups where the Windows 95 boot up menu takes care of the prompting of the delay and which mode you wish to go into.

For more information about multi-config, I am providing the information from the MS-DOS help on multi-config.  This information is from Microsoft, and is provided as an extra resource for you to use this product to its fullest potential.

Commands for Defining Multiple Configurations


Automatic Mode Syntax

Automatic mode is initiated by the DOS MODE syntax of

SET DOSMODE=0

Where 0 indicates that you wish to go into DOS MODE, and is mainly useful for multi-config setups where the Windows 95 boot up menu takes care of the prompting of the delay and which mode you wish to go into.

For more information about multi-config, I am providing the information from the MS-DOS help on multi-config.  This information is from Microsoft, and is provided as an extra resource for you to use this product to its fullest potential.

Commands for Defining Multiple Configurations


Commands for Defining Multiple Configurations

A single CONFIG.SYS file can define several different system configurations.  To define multiple configurations, you use the following special CONFIG.SYS commands:

A startup menu makes it possible to start your computer with a variety of configurations. For more information about defining multiple configurations, see the chapter "Configuring Your System" in the MS-DOS 6 User's Guide.

To define multiple configurations, follow these general steps:

1	Define a startup menu in the CONFIG.SYS file by using a [menu] header followed by one or more MENUITEM commands. The MENUDEFAULT, MENUCOLOR and SUBMENU commands can be used to define special characteristics of the startup menu.

2	Create a configuration block in the CONFIG.SYS file for each configuration you want. A configuration block begins with a block header a name surrounded by square brackets. To each block, add the CONFIG.SYS commands that you want MS-DOS to carry out when that configuration is selected from the startup menu.

3	(Optional) In the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, use batch commands such as GOTO and IF to have MS-DOS carry out different AUTOEXEC.BAT commands depending on the startup configuration.

When a configuration is selected from the startup menu, MS-DOS defines an environment variable named CONFIG and sets it to the name of the selected configuration block. To have MS-DOS carry out different sets of commands for different CONFIG values, add a GOTO %CONFIG% command to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

MENUITEM

Defines an item on the startup menu. You can use this command only within a menu block in your CONFIG.SYS file. You can have up to nine menu items per menu.

The startup menu is a list of choices that appears when you start your computer. You define a startup menu by using special CONFIG.SYS commands.  Each item on the menu corresponds to a set of CONFIG.SYS commands called a "configuration block."

Syntax

MENUITEM=blockname[,menu_text]

blockname

Specifies the name of the associated configuration block. The block must be defined elsewhere in the CONFIG.SYS file. If the menu item is selected from the startup menu, MS-DOS carries out the commands in the associated configuration block, as well as any commands at the beginning of the CONFIG.SYS file and any commands in configuration blocks with the [common] header.

If MS-DOS cannot find a block with the specified name, the item does not appear on the startup menu. The block name can be up to 70 characters long and can contain most printable characters. It cannot include spaces, backslashes (\), forward slashes (/), commas, semicolons (;), equal signs (=), or square brackets ([ and ]).

menu_text

Specifies the text you want MS-DOS to display for this menu item. If you don't specify any menu text, MS-DOS displays the block name as the menu item. The menu text can be up to 70 characters long and can contain any characters you want.

MENUDEFAULT

Specifies the default menu item on the startup menu and sets a timeout value if desired. You can use this command only within a menu block in your CONFIG.SYS file. If you do not use this command, MS-DOS sets the default to item 1.

The startup menu is a list of choices that appears when you start your computer. You define a startup menu by using special CONFIG.SYS commands.  Each item on the menu corresponds to a set of CONFIG.SYS commands called a "configuration block."

Syntax

MENUDEFAULT=blockname[,timeout]

blockname

Specifies the default menu item by its associated configuration block.  The block must be defined elsewhere in the CONFIG.SYS file. When MS-DOS displays the startup menu, the default menu item is highlighted and its number appears after the "Enter a choice" prompt.

Timeout

Determines how many seconds MS-DOS waits before starting the computer with the default configuration. If you don't specify a timeout value, MS-DOS does not continue until the ENTER key is pressed. You can specify a timeout value from 0 to 90 seconds. A timeout of 0 forces automatic selection of the default, effectively bypassing the menu display.

MENUCOLOR

Sets the text and background colors for the startup menu. You can use this command only within a menu block in your CONFIG.SYS file.

The startup menu is a list of choices that appears when you start your computer. You define a startup menu by using special CONFIG.SYS commands.  Each item on the menu corresponds to a set of CONFIG.SYS commands called a "configuration block." A startup menu makes it possible to start your computer with a variety of configurations.

Syntax

MENUCOLOR=x[,y]

x

Specifies the color of the menu text. You can specify a value from 0 to 15

y

Specifies the color of the screen background. You can specify a value from 0 to 15.  The y value is optional; if you do not specify a value, MS-DOS displays the specified text color on a black background.

Be sure to specify different values for x and y, or the text will not be readable.

Color Values

Valid color values are from 0 to 15, as follows:

0	Black

1	Blue

2	Green

3	Cyan

4	Red

5	Magenta

6	Brown

7	White

8	Gray

9	Bright blue

10	Bright green

11	Bright cyan

12	Bright red

13	Bright magenta

14	Yellow

15	Bright white

Note: On some displays, colors 8 through 15 blink.

SUBMENU

Defines an item on a startup menu that, when selected, displays another set of choices. You can use this command only within a menu block in your CONFIG.SYS file.

Syntax

SUBMENU=blockname[,menu_text]

blockname

Specifies the name of the associated menu block. The menu block must be defined elsewhere in the CONFIG.SYS file and can contain menu-definition commands. Unlike the "main" menu block, which must have the block name [MENU], a menu block for a submenu can have any name you want. If MS-DOS cannot find a block with the specified name, the item does not appear on the startup menu. The block name can be up to 70 characters long and can contain most printable characters. It cannot include spaces, backslashes (\) and forward slashes (/), commas, semicolons (;), equal signs (=), and square brackets ([ and ]).

menu_text

Specifies the text you want MS-DOS to display for this menu item. If you don't specify any menu text, MS-DOS displays the block name as the menu item. The menu text can be up to 70 characters long and can contain any characters you want.

NUMLOCK

Specifies whether the NUM LOCK key is set to ON or OFF when your computer starts. You can use this command only in your CONFIG.SYS file.

Syntax

NUMLOCK=[ON|OFF]

ON|OFF

If set to ON, turns on the NUM LOCK key when MS-DOS displays the startup menu. If set to OFF, turns NUM LOCK off.

INCLUDE

Includes the contents of one configuration block within another. You can use this command only in your CONFIG.SYS file.

Syntax

INCLUDE=blockname

blockname

Specifies the name of the configuration block to include.


DOS MODE for Windows 95

DOS MODE for Windows 95 is the first in a line of Windows 95 products in development by 3rd Computer Systems

DOS MODE allows you to determine at startup whether you wish to stay DOS MODE or go into Windows 95.  DOS MODE provides two methods of operation, timer, and automatic.

Installation instructions

1.)	Place all of the files in a directory.

2.)	Edit AUTOEXEC.BAT so that this directory is the first directory in your PATH statement.

Make sure that the directories C:\WINDOWS and C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND remain in the path, or else Windows 95, will add them before the DOSMODE directory.  The simplest way to make sure of this is to SET PATH=C:\DOSMODE;%PATH% followed by the rest of your path.

3.)	Add a SET DOSMODE line based on the instructions in the timer, auto-win, and automatic mode topics.

4.)	Optional:  Add a SET WINCMD line that points to the command line to use to startup Windows 95.  Default value is WIN.COM, and is not required to load WIN.COM.  Provided to allow usage of special front-end programs for Windows 95.  This feature is new in this version of DOS MODE for Windows 95, added by request.  This adds greater functionality to the DOS MODE program, by allowing it to be used with any program that launches the Windows 95 environment.

5.)	Optional:  Add a SET DOSCMD line that points to the command line to use to startup the dos session.  Default value is none, and is not required to load COMMAND.COM.  Provided to allow creation of batch files that set up additional parameters for the DOS session, or run programs for that DOS session.  This feature is new in this version of DOS MODE for Windows 95, added by request.  This adds greater functionality to the DOS MODE program, by allowing it to be used in the same way as AUTOEXEC.BAT is used by DOS itself.

When you next restart the computer DOS MODE will ask you if you wish to run Windows, or stay in DOS MODE.

If you are using the timed mode of DOS MODE you should specify both the DOSCMD, if required, and WINCMD if required.

In timer mode, DOS MODE prompts you to press the escape key with in the amount of time specified by the DOS MODE command line.  If DOS MODE detects the escape key pressed within the time allotted then it will spawn COMMAND.COM to begin your DOS MODE session.

In auto-win mode, DOS MODE automatically boots into Windows 95.  For auto-win mode, only WINCMD is necessary.

In automatic mode, DOS MODE automatically boots up into DOS MODE, to exit DOS MODE all you need to do is reboot, included are two executable files, WARMBOOT.EXE, and COLDBOOT.EXE that can reboot your computer for you.  For automatic mode, only DOSCMD is necessary.

DOS MODE can be used to allow you to choose which operating system that you wish to use, when you want to use it.  And now even allows you to determine, how you wish to use the environment the way that it is most convenient to you.


Release Notes

DOS MODE for Windows 95 is being released as SHAREWARE.  You are free to distribute this program and this help file.  You are also free to use this program as long as you wish.  I will accept donations to help support this program in any amount that you can afford, if you can't afford anything, that is how much I require to use this product, I then only ask an e-mail, saying who you are, where you are, and where you got this program from.  If you have a little money that you can spare, and you feel that this product is worth a couple of dollars, send me an e-mail, telling me so.  I will reward your generocity with free updates to this program via e-mail.

Information on what any moneys recieved will be used for are further in this letter.  I am a student, and program for my enjoyment, and not for profit.  I am mearly seeking a way to recover the money that I have already put into the development of this program, and to be able to get a full installation program together, however, I am in need of funds to get the installation kit package.  If anyone who gets this package, enjoys it enough to send any funds, even a dollar or two, to me that I can work on saving for an installation kit, I would be forever in your debt.  And to show you my gratitude, I will put you on a list to recieve via e-mail any updates to this program.

Please be sure to enclose the e-mail address that you want to the updates submitted to.

Joseph Alex Martin

241 Hamilton Hall

University Park, PA 16802

DOS MODE is not in the public domain, this program may not be reverse engineered, decompiled, or in any other way altered.  If you have a suggestion for improving this product, I am more than happy to try to implement it as quickly as possible.

DOS MODE for Windows 95 remains the exclusive property of Joseph Alex Martin and 3rd Computer Systems.  You are hereby given notice that this product is being release AS IS, with no warranty as to performance.  This product has extensively been tested, and should work as stated in most situations, however use of this product is at your risk.

DOS MODE does not alter any of your Windows 95 configuration files to provide this service.

Version 1.3, adds WINCMD, support for other command lines other than WIN.COM as well as repairs, the midnight counter reset bug in 1.2, where the counter would not complete if it was supposed to end after midnight.

Version 1.3, also adds a DOSCMD, support to run commands, as soon as the AUTOEXEC.BAT file is completed.

Version 1.31, is an update to the documentation to clear up some of the installation instructions, as well as bring the contact information, up to date with more ways that I can be reached, and where this program can be acquired.


Table of Contents
DOS MODE

The DOS MODE for Windows 95 help file, provides detailed information about this product.  As well as contact information, and other products that are currently available.

This file is current as of October 17, 1995 and applies to DOS MODE for Windows 95 version 1.31.

About 3rd Computer Systems

DOS MODE for Windows 95

Release Notes

Technical Information


Technical Information

By default, Windows 95 boots directly into the Graphical User Interface as soon as the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, if present is completed.  By placing WIN.EXE in the path before the Windows executable file, DOS MODE handles whether Windows 95 is loaded or not.

The only method to prevent this native to Windows 95 is to edit the MSDOS.SYS text file and change the BOOTGUI option to 0 (zero) instead of the default of 1 (one).

While this option is fine for advanced users, it is not anywhere close to being acceptable for the novice computer user, who became accustomed to using MSDOS and going into Windows for an occasional task or two.

DOS MODE for Windows 95 takes advantage of the loading the GUI.  The operating system will be DOS with Windows available, like Windows 3.1 was..

DOS MODE 1.3 now only has one executable file WIN.EXE.

DOS MODE 1.3 implements this ZERO k overhead by stuffing your WINCMD environment variable, or WIN.COM, the default value of WINCMD, into the keyboard buffer if you wish to use Windows, and terminate WIN.EXE if you want to stay in DOS MODE.  As far as the system is concerned it loaded Windows, and returned to DOS MODE.  Version 1.1 used a 4k COM file as go between for the timer, and the COMMAND.COM.  And 1.0 executed COMMAND.COM from within the DOSMODE.EXE program, the timer routine, was approximately 32 k of RAM, now DOS MODE has a no footprint execution style, and it keeps both methods of operation from the previous version.


Timer Mode Syntax

Timer mode is initiated by the DOS MODE syntax of

SET DOSMODE=delay

Where delay is the amount of time that you wish to delay the loading of Windows 95 to allow entering DOS MODE.