The World of Computer Software/The World of Computer Software.iso/q387_32.zip/Q387.DOC

Text File | 1993-01-10 | 22KB | 473 lines

                  Documentation for Q387, Version 3.2
                    Copyright, 1991, 1993, QuickWare
                            P.O. Box 684652
                          Austin, Texas 78768
                              512-280-1452
                            January 10, 1993


     Q387  Version  3.2  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 of Q387 are -

Benefits -

     o Reduces computation times by up to 80% for graphics, analysis,
       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, AutoDesk 3D Studio, Renderize,
       Falcon 3.0 high performance mode, etc.

     o Fully compatible with DOS, most Expanded Memory Managers (EMMs),
       Windows 3.X 386 Enhanced Mode and Windows 3.1 Standard Mode, and
       most DOS Extender applications (such as AutoCAD 11, 12, 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 first.   Q387  requests  Extended
Memory  from the EMM for its exclusive use, and then loads  itself  into
that  extended memory.  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.  The EMM protects Q387 from being overwritten
by other programs.  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      Run Without           With          Speed Increase
   Number      Q387               Q387            Factor

     1         14.0               3.8               3.68
     2        142.0              64.0               2.20
     3         22.4               6.2               3.61
     4         17.7               4.0               4.42
     5         49.0               9.5               5.05
     6        342.1              80.2               4.26
     7        226.0              98.0               2.31

Run Descriptions -

     Run 1 - Zoom out on a drawing, Generic CADD, by Generic Software.
     Run 2 - Render "Bicycle" on Alias Upfront, running in Windows 3.1
             Standard Mode, by Alias Research and SketchTech Inc.
     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.
     Run 7 - Render "BOX" on POVRAY, or, Persistence of Vision Ray
             Tracer, a freeware ray-tracing program available on
             America On-Line and other BBS's, search for "POV".

Standard Benchmark - same machine as above, QAPlus V4.21, Whetstones.

            Run Without           With            Speed Increase
               Q387               Q387            Factor

               62.3K              292.6K          4.69


Comparison  with FRANKE.387 (another 387 emulator) on same machine  with
same configuration as above -

                           FRANKE.387    Q387          Speed Increase
                                                       Factor
AutoCAD 10,
Zoom-All on "Airplane"     13.4 sec.     7.4 sec.      1.81

QAPlus V4.21, Whetstones   93.7K         292.6K        3.12

Also,  FRANKE.387  is  either not active or causes  an  error  with  DOS
Extenders and Windows.


Windows 3.1 -

     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 run much faster in DOS  than
in  a  Windows  3.X DOS box (this has nothing to  do  with  Q387).   Dos
Protected  Mode  Interface (DPMI) compatible DOS  extender  applications
(e.g.  AutoCAD  12) will run in a DOS box.  Like  Windows  applications,
these  will run slower as compared to running them in regular  DOS,  but
you can multi-task multiple DOS boxes and/or Windows applications.


Our method of distributing Q387 -

     We  distribute Q387 as what might be called "protected  shareware".
The distributed program is the full working version, except that it runs
for  20  minutes  at  a  time before it  does  a  DOS  terminate  of  an
application.  This  way,  at little or no cost to  you,  you  may  fully
evaluate the performance of Q387 for yourself.  Also, upgrading is quick
and  easy.  You  may run the demo as much as you  please,  and  it  will
satisfy  the needs of many people who only need it for short periods  of
time.  If you are satisfied with the performance of Q387 and need it  to
run  for longer than 20 minutes,  we will, for a fee of $25  (see  below
for additional options), provide you with a "Run Code" which allows Q387
to  run  unimpeded.  Q387 is not copy protected, but the Run  Code  will
only  work  on  one  computer.   We feel  that  this  arrangement  is  a
reasonable compromise between your need to verify the integrity of  Q387
and the need to support this kind of work.


Running Q387 as a demo -

     An Expanded Memory Manager must be active.  This is done by  having
the following lines in your Config.sys file -

device = <path to DOS or Windows 3.1>\HIMEM.SYS        (for DOS 5 or)
device = <path to DOS or Windows 3.1>\EMM386.EXE       (  Windows.  )

device = <path to QEMM>\QEMM386.SYS                    (for QEMM386)
device = <path to 386MAX>\386MAX.SYS                   (for 386MAX)
device = <path to DR DOS>\EMM386.SYS                   (for DR DOS 6)

Q387 will not run with the EMM386.SYS which comes with Windows 3.0.  Get
into  the  same  directory as Q387.exe is in.  Type "Q387"  at  the  DOS
prompt.  If you are using Windows, run Q387 before you get into Windows.
Q387  will  then load itself into extended memory and display  an  order
form on the screen.  If you want to order a Run Code, you can do a print
screen  at  that point to print the order form.  You may also  order  by
phone with Visa or Mastercard (see below).  Q387 will return you to  the
DOS  prompt.  It will not itself perform any demonstration.  You  should
run  your math intensive applications with Q387 loaded to see  how  they
perform with Q387.


Getting a Run Code by phone with Visa or Mastercard -

     Run  Q387 as a demo and write down the Machine Code  which  appears
near the center of the order screen.  Be sure to get the Machine Code of
the computer which you intend to use Q387 on.  Call our toll-free number
(see  at end of this file).    Our operator will first get  your  credit
card  type, number, and expiration date.  He or she will then  get  your
Machine Code, name, and address.  You will then be given your Run  Code.
Your  license to run Q387 and receipt will be mailed to you.  If you  do
not have the latest copy of Q387, we will mail it to you along with your
license and receipt.


Getting a Run Code by fax with Visa or Mastercard -

     Run  Q387 as a demo and do a print screen of the order form.   Fill
out  the order form.  At the end of the order form, write down the  type
of credit card which you are using (Visa or Mastercard), the credit card
number,  and the expiration date.  Be sure to include your  fax  number.
Fax  the order form to 1-713-961-4438.  We will then fax back  your  Run
Code by the next working day.  Your license to run Q387 and receipt will
be  mailed to you.  If you do not have the latest copy of Q387, we  will
mail it to you along with your license and receipt.


Getting a Run Code paying by check or money order -

     Fill  out the order form which appears on your computer  screen  at
the start of the demo.  If you don't have a printer for printing out the
order  form, please include all of the required information which is  on
the  order form.  We will, within three working days of  receiving  your
order,  mail to you a Run Code.  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.  Be sure to get the Machine Code of  the  computer
you intend to use Q387 on.  Your license to run Q387 and receipt will be
mailed to you.  If you do not have the latest copy of Q387, we will mail
it to you along with your license and receipt.


If you upgrade your computer -

     If  you  change your motherboard or your BIOS chips, your  old  Run
Code will no longer work.  You may get one new Run Code at no charge  by
calling  our toll-free number (see at end of this file).   Our  operator
will  get your Run Code and last name, verify that you are a  registered
user,  take  your new Machine Code, and then give you a  new  Run  Code.
This may also be necessary if you change your hard disk drive controller
or put in a LAN card.


     When you get your Run Code, you will run Q387 as follows -

<path to Q387>\Q387 xxx-xxx-xxx

where xxx-xxx-xxx is your Run Code.  You may have this anywhere in  your
Autoexec.bat  file so that Q387 loads automatically each time you  start
your  computer.   Q387 is not a DOS TSR (Terminate  and  Stay  Resident)
program,  so  the order in which you load it  is  inconsequential.   You
would  not  use any LOADHI with it.  Q387 uses no DOS  memory,  nor  any
of  the Upper Memory Block, nor any of the Upper Memory area  (the  area
between 1024k and 1088k).


Expanded Memory Managers (EMMs) 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. Does not currently work with
         386MAX version 5.
     4.  Dr. Dos's EMM386.sys, version 6.0, by Digital Research.
     5.  Memory Miser 386 Version 1B43, by SoftLogic Solutions Inc.

DOS Extenders tested with -

     1.  386|DOS Extender, by Phar Lapp.
     2.  Intel 386/486 C Code Builder, by Intel.
     3.  DOS 16/M, by Rational Systems.
     4.  The 16 bit DOS extender that Borland uses with Borland C++
         and Quattro Pro (probably DOS 16/M).
     5.  Window's 3.1 Standard Mode, by Microsoft.
     6.  Window's 3.X 386 Enhanced Mode (also functions as an EMM and
         multitasker), by Microsoft.  Runs and multi-tasks DOS boxes
         and 16 and 32 bit Windows applications.
     7.  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 Q387 has been tested with -

     1.  AutoCAD 10, 11, 12, and 11 for Windows, by AutoDesk, Inc. **
     2.  COSMOS/M, by Structural Research Inc. **
     3.  Surfer and Grapher, by Golden Software.
     4.  Generic CADD, by Generic Software.
     5.  DesignCAD, by American Small Business Computers, Inc.
     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, the "DEMO" program.**
    10.  AutoDesk 3D Studio Version 2.0, by AutoDesk, Inc. **
    11.  Animator Pro, by AutoDesk.
    12.  PSPICE Student Version 3.06, by MicroSim Corporation.
    13.  Renderize, Windows Pro v1.3 demo, by Visual Software, Inc.
         A 32 bit Windows program. **
    14.  Alias Upfront, by Alias Research and SketchTech Inc.
         A 16 bit Windows program.
    15.  Persistence of Vision (POV), a freeware raytracing program.
         Uses the 32 bit Intel C 386/486 Code Builder compiler.
    16.  386-MatLab V3.5m, by The MathWorks, Inc. **
    17.  Grapher for Windows, by Golden Software.

** denotes programs which require either a coprocessor or Q387 to run.

Diagnostic utilities tested with -

     1.  Advanced Micro Devices' math coprocessor demo.
     2.  CheckIt, Version 3.0, by TouchStone Software Corporation.
     3.  QAPlus, by DiagSoft, Inc.
     4.  PC Labs Benchmark Series 5.0, by PC Magazine.
     5.  CHKCOP V2.00, by Intel Corp (a 387 checker).


Included files -

     Q387.exe - The Q387 executable.  This is a a self-expanding,
                compressed file.  It self-expands only when you run
                Q387 to load it.  Compressed with PKlite Professional
                (PKlite is a trademark of PkWare, Inc.)
     Q387.doc - This file.
     OFF.exe  - Will disable Q387 after it has been loaded.  It does
                not remove Q387 from memory.  Do not run from within
                Windows.
     ON.exe   - Reenables Q387 after it has been disabled by "OFF.exe".
                Do not run from within Windows.


Accuracy -

     Q387  performs all arithmetic to the exact same accuracy as  a  387
coprocessor.  This is 64 bits of precision.  Transcendental calculations
may  be different by as much as the lowest 4 to 5 bits.  This  is  still
much more accurate than can be represented by a double precision number,
which is the highest precision variable type typically used.


EMM configuration options -

     Q387  requires that an EMM be active, but expanded memory does  not
have to be available.  Many regular DOS applications use expanded memory
if  it is available to increase their performance (using  fast  expanded
memory  instead of the slow disk).  Before Q387 Version 3, however,  the
use  of  an EMM significantly slowed down  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.

     One  penalty  associated with the use of expanded  memory  is  that
available high memory will be reduced by 64k (required for the  expanded
memory  "page frame"), leaving less room for device drivers  and  TSR's.
Also,  Windows  cannot use any of your expanded memory in  386  Enhanced
Mode.  If you don't want to use expanded memory, you can specify to  the
EMM  that it not use a page frame, thus reclaiming the lost 64k of  high
memory.  This is accomplished as follows in your CONFIG.SYS file -

device = <path to DOS>\EMM386.EXE NOEMS                (for DOS 5)
device = <path to QEMM>\QEMM386.SYS FRAME=0            (for QEMM386)
device = <path to 386MAX>\386MAX.SYS NOFRAME           (for 386MAX)
device = <path to DR DOS>\EMM386.SYS /F=none           (for DR DOS 6)


If you are using EMM386 and older DOS Extender programs (e.g. ACAD 11)-

     Older DOS Extender programs such as AutoCAD 11 can only make use of
Expanded Memory when an EMM is present, so it's best to allocate  almost
all of your available memory to Expanded Memory in this case.  You  must
reserve  enough  Extended  Memory  for  Q387  to  load,  however.   With
EMM386.exe, a straightforward way to do this is as follows (this example
is for a computer with 4 Meg of RAM) -

device = <path to DOS>\EMM386.EXE L=340 2912

where  the  "L=340" parameter tells EMM386 to reserve 340k  of  extended
memory.   The  "2912"  parameter tells it to allocate  2912k  bytes  for
expanded memory (if that much is available).  If you don't tell the  EMM
to  reserve a sufficient amount of Expanded Memory, older  DOS  Extender
applications  will give you some confusing message such as  "Conflicting
protected mode environment", or "The 386 chip is currently executing  in
virtual  8086 mode...", etc.  QEMM and 386MAX make both types of  memory
available  from  the  overall supply of memory, so  you  don't  have  to
reserve any memory explicitly for extended or for expanded memory.


If you are using QEMM386 -

     You need to include the "ON" parameter on the "device=QEMM386" line
in  your  config.sys  file.


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.


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 free.  Just call our toll-free number shown at the end of  this
file.


Viruses -

     Q387  was scanned for viruses with the Norton AntiVirus  before  it
was Zipped.  All major BBS's (and most local BBS's) do this as well.  We
have never gotten a virus from any BBS.


Money-back guarantee -

     If,  within  a  year of your purchase,  Q387 has  any  error  which
prevents it from successfully emulating a 387 or 487SX math  coprocessor
with any of your applications, we will refund to you the purchase  price
of your Run Code.


Contacting Us -

     For any reason other than ordering, we may be reached at the  phone
number  in  the heading for this document.  We may also  be  reached  on
Compuserve at 70750,2147, and on America Online at QuickWare.


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 the Connect America (512-459-3341, 3351, or
3358). The Connect America BBS lets you get Q387 from the free downloads
section in Area 2.  You might also ask the sysop of your favorite  local
BBS to get Q387 for you.  Search files for Q387.  The full file name  is
Q387.zip, or Q387_XXX.zip, where XXX is the latest version designation.

Payment options - (valid through December, 1994)

     o $25 US currency, plus any applicable sales tax, by Visa or
       Mastercard.  Do this if you have one of these cards.  Call number
       shown at end of this file.

     o $25 US currency with either a check from a US bank, or  a  money
       order (US currency money orders are available worldwide).  Please
       include any applicable sales tax.

     o $35 equivalent non-US currency written on a check from a
       non-US bank.  Please use the current exchange rate.  The higher
       amount is required to cover the bank's fees.


Volume discounts -

     If  your  organization would like multiple licenses  for  Q387,  we
offer the following discounts for volume purchases -

     1st license - $25.
     2nd through 10th licenses - $20 each.
     Each license over 10 licenses - $15 each.


Dealers and Resellers -

     Dealers  and Resellers may distribute Q387 to their  customers  and
may  charge  their  customers "finders fees",  "installation  fees",  or
simply charge for your time, in addition to the cost of Q387 itself.  In
all  cases,  Q387 must be distributed in its  entirety,  including  this
file.   Additionally, each Run Code and license for Q387 must be in  the
name  of the end user, so that we may be able to keep them  informed  of
updates and so that the end user may receive a replacement Run Code,  as
required.  We must also have the end user's address.


     Thank you for trying Q387.


Toll-free  order number, for Visa or Mastercard orders or new Run  Codes
only  -   1-800-392-9349,  between 8:30 AM and 12:00 noon,  and  between
2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, Central Time.