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ART2
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1993-04-27
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MS-DOS v6.0
UPGRADE
by Tony Curro
Well, Microsoft has released the latest version of MS-DOS. Version
6.0 has not been improved much over 5.0, the changes here are the
additional features. Two new commands have been added: MOVE, and
DELTREE. The first will move files from/to any location. The second
will delete a directory tree with all subdirectories and files.
Another new feature is Multiple Configurations. This allows you to
have several different boot setups and switch between them.
Key add-ons include:
DoubleSpace. This will double the space of your hard drive,
allowing you to store more files in the same amount of space. Actual
size will vary with configuration, system, and types of files.
Files, like ZIP, etc., are already compressed, and therefore would
not benefit by compression. Text files will compress the best. You
can expect compression ratios of 1.2:1 up to 2:1, with 1.6:1 being
the average.
MemMaker. This will give you back more conventional memory. By
using HIMEM, and EMM386, MemMaker loads your TSR's and other
programs in high memory.
Backup, Anti-Virus, Undelete and DeFrag are the other programs.
I will be talking about them all later.
Installation of MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade can only be accomplished if you
already have a system that has a version of MS-DOS on it. The full
MS-DOS v6.0 package is only available to PC manufacturers for
installation on new systems. Version 6.0 requires 5-7.5MB RAM
depending on the features you add. Several of the above named
programs have both DOS and Windows versions on the disks. You will
need a blank floppy for your A: drive, to create an UnInstall disk,
in case there is a problem during installation. All of MS-DOS v6.0
is optimized for both normal DOS and MS Windows operations. It is
supposed to function smoother when using Windows than previous
versions of DOS.
As stated, the core of DOS has not changed much. The add-ons are the
selling point. Or are they?
Backup and Defrag, are entry-level versions of Norton's Backup and
SpeedDisk respectively. Anti-Virus and Undelete, are versions from
Central Point Software. None of these are full-featured products.
After purchasing MS-DOS 6.0, you can get the full products from the
manufacturers at a reduced rate.
When I installed DoubleSpace, I noticed I had a 1.6:1 ratio. This
means that I got approximately a little more that 1 1/2 times the
actual amount of the disk I compressed. So with about 80MB to work
with, I had close to 120MB to store files in. Usually with
compression programs, I noticed that when adding a program that will
take say, 10MB, that it winds up using 15MB or so. Recompressing the
drive may help, but the savings are not that noticeable. I was
working in Windows with a database. Just changing a field length in
a database of 100 records took 24 seconds. Without DoubleSpace it
took 3 seconds. I had long times when changing a field name in the
same db.
MemMaker allows you to have the most available conventional memory.
Using MM, I had 611,216 free. When I was using QEMM, with DOS 5.0, I
had 630,448. About 19K more with QEMM.
The added commands mentioned above, and the multiple configuration
features, have been around for some time, with various other
products. MOVE, in DOS 6, does not perform as swiftly as another one
that I use. In DOS 6 you must specify a directory to move to. The
program I use assumes the current directory as the move to
directory. That is if it is NOT the move from directory. DOS 6 does
not do that. So if I am in C:\TEST, and want the files from C:\OLD,
I must: MOVE C:\OLD\*.* \TEST. With program I use I eliminate the
\TEST option. This can be a pain if you are several layers deep.
Multiple Configuration can be confusing for novices. The CONFIG file
uses [name] to start each section. AUTOEXEC uses the IF and GOTO
commands. You must insert GOTO %CONFIGURATION% after all commands
you want to execute in ALL configurations. After the GOTO variable,
you put a label before each set of commands in the AUTOEXEC, a GOTO
END and the end of the section, and an END at the end of the file. I
have, and use a program, that is several years old, that I must put
a little symbol in both files to separate commands and
configurations. That seems much simpler.
Overall, MS-DOS 6.0 is the most stable DOS I have seen in some
time. Most people, went from 3.3 to 5.0, bypassing the much maligned
DOS 4. I did not have any problems with the installation of MS-DOS
6.0. It has an attractive price until May 31, 1993. For some users
it can be of use. However, if you already own many of the inclusions
of DOS 6, or do not use them, then there is no need to upgrade.
Backup for example does NOT allow you to backup to a tape drive. So
tape users could not take advantage of it. Besides, the full Norton
Backup, is more flexible. I have already seen a product called
SPACMANager, which is an add-on for DoubleSpace. This makes you have
total control over the compression program.
I have used DoubleSpace, and other programs that double your disk
space. While I have not had major problems, I do not use them. If
you need storage space, buy a larger drive. Even a Bernoulli works
well as an actual drive. If you are one of those who need the latest
version of products, then by all means buy DOS 6. Many companies:
Norton, Central Point, etc., have already started releasing updates
of their products for use with DOS 6. With all the big savings of
buying DOS 6, then buying all these add-ons (to get the most of...),
or buying all these upgrades, how much are you really saving? If you
are still using DOS 3.3, or even 4.x, then you should get DOS 6.0.
But, if you are using DOS 5, and have, or don't use, the add-ons
mentioned, then maybe you should wait for DOS 7.
Technical Support. For the first 90 days after your initial call,
you have free support. However, it is a toll call, and you must pay
ALL phone charges to WA. After 90 days, via 900 service, at the rate
of $2.00 per minute. You can also call a 206 number, at the rate of
$25.00 per call, billed to MC, VISA, or AE.
Also available is recorded support, BBS support via MS BBS,
CompuServe and TDD/TT (hearing impaired). All these are toll calls
and incur those charges. CIS, is local, but incurs their rates.
Product Information
MS-DOS 6.0
UPGRADE
List Price -- $49.99
(until 5/31/93)
$129.95
(after 5/31/93)
Microsoft Corporation
1 Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-6399
206-882-8080