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- ░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ <<<* E-Mail: dosidle@usa.net *>>> ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
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-
-
-
- DOSidle: FULL Documentation
- ─────────────────────────────────
- Written by Marton Balog
- Version 2.00 [Build 0586]
-
-
-
-
- Copyright (C) by Marton Balog, 1998.
- All rights reserved.
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ TABLE OF CONTENTS ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-
- 1.0 - What is DOSidle?
- 2.0 - Highlights of DOSidle!
- 3.0 - Usage and Installation.
- 4.0 - Command-line Options.
- 5.0 - CPU Detection and Optimization.
-
- 6.0 - History.
- 7.0 - Frequently Asked Questions.
- 8.0 - Final word(s).
- 9.0 - Legal and Disclaimer.
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 1.0 - WHAT IS DOSIDLE? ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- CPUidle for DOS (nicknamed DOSidle) is an MS-DOS based program that will
- take advantage of the power saving features of the microprocessor so as to
- minimize power consumption and lower CPU temperature. This not only expands
- the lifetime of the processor, but creates a more stable system and helps
- greatly in successful OVERCLOCKING!
-
- Modern microprocessors (Intel's 486DX, Pentium, Pentium/MMX, Pentium II;
- AMD's Enhanced 486DX, K5, K6/MMX, K6Plus; Cyrix/IBM/SGS Thomson's 5x86, 6x86,
- 6x86L, 6x86MX, to name a few) have power saving capabilities integrated in
- the processor, but the operating system (like Windows95/98, MS-DOS) usually
- does not take advantage of these features.
- To resolve this problem, DOSidle executes the HLT instruction when the
- system is idle (example: waiting for a keypress, mouse movement or any user
- input), which is actually true about 90% of the time. This way, the processor
- will enter Suspend-Mode when it is not being used. This reduces heat buildup
- without slowing the system.
-
- This program is based on the idea of CPUIdle, written by Andreas Goetz.
- CPUIdle is a program with the same goal, but is designed to run exclusively
- under Windows95/98. I owe Andi many thanks, as he was great help in
- developing and spreading DOSidle.
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 2.0 - HIGHLIGHTS OF DOSIDLE. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- - 100% ASSEMBLY coded, therefore program should be both small and fast.
-
- - Uses less than 4K of the valuable 640K conventional memory.
-
- - Detects and optimizes processors from Cyrix/IBM/SGS Thomson, AMD, Intel
- IDT, NexGen and UMC. This can yield up to 15% of performance gain.
-
- - Automatically detects Cyrix/IBM/SGS Thomson 5x86, 6x86, 6x86L and
- 6x86MX processors and enables their "Suspend on HLT" feature for
- maximum power saving.
-
- - Automatically detects Intel Pentium (P54C), Pentium-MMX (P55C) and IDT
- WinChip C6 processors and enables their "Auto HLT" feature for maximum
- power saving.
-
- - Automatically detects Intel Pentium-MMX (P55C) processors and enables
- their "Low Power on Auto HLT" feature for even more power saving than
- the P54C.
-
- - Powerful and flexible command-line interface allowing control of many
- features of DOSidle, including more aggressive cooling routines,
- self-debugging routines and more...
-
- - Can be suspended and activated any time after installation for maximum
- compatibility with other software.
-
- - Works with a wide range of program's and thus it cools the CPU reliably.
- This results in a more stable system and it expands CPU lifetime.
-
- - It's A MUST HAVE for overclockers! Stop thinking big fans, huge heat
- sinks and Peltiers, just think DOSidle! ;-)
-
-
- * DOSidle V2.00 is a major advance to V1.32 [Beta], the whole kernel has
- been recoded and optimized resulting in MUCH MORE EFFICIENT cooling
- capabilities!!!
-
- * To find out more about the differences between V2.00 and V1.32, please
- read the History section (and then the whole file :-).
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 3.0 - USAGE AND INSTALLATION. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- DOSidle is designed to operate under MS-DOS. This applies to the
- following areas:
-
- - MS-DOS 6.22 and earlier. The good old DOS...
-
- - MS-DOS 7.00 and later. This is the DOS that Windows95/98 uses. If you
- have Windows95/98 installed and restart in MS-DOS mode from the Start
- menu, you will enter into this MS-DOS mode.
-
- - Windows95/98 MS-DOS Box. If you open an MS-DOS Box from Windows95/98,
- you will enter into this MS-DOS mode.
-
- DOSidle should be used in all of the above cases. When using only
- Windows95/98 you should use Andreas Goetz's CPUIdle. As you may already have
- realized, the programs CAN AND SHOULD be used together as the ultimate
- solution for the standard Windows + DOS platforms.
- DOSidle will NOT conflict with CPUIdle, so if you have CPUIdle loaded in
- Windows95/98 and open an MS-DOS Box with DOSidle loaded, you are doing
- exactly what you should do!!
-
- NOTE: DOSidle will perform best under Real-mode CPU operation, or in other
- words, when no Memory Manager (such as EMM386) is active. But V86-mode
- should be about as good...
-
-
- INSTALLATION:
- ─────────────
-
- Setup: Unzip the DOSIDLE.ZIP package into a directory of your choice. Place
- a line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file that will load DOSidle with the
- switches you prefer and reboot your computer.
- If you have multiple Operating Systems installed (Windows 3.1,
- Windows95/98, Windows NT, MS-DOS), then make sure the above line is
- placed in ALL AUTOEXEC files.
-
- If you are not exactly sure what the paragraph above means, please
- read on...
-
-
- Step 1: Unzip the DOSIDLE.ZIP package into a directory you prefer. In the
- later examples, I will assume you have chosen the C:\DOSIDLE
- directory.
-
- Step 2: If you know DOSidle well and/or decided to use it regularly, please
- go to Step 4.
-
- If you are completely new to DOSidle and haven't read this document
- then I strongly suggest doing so. Once you are finished, come back
- here.
-
- Step 3: You are new to DOSidle. Experiment with it. You can install DOSidle
- anytime by typing "DOSidle" at the DOS command prompt (even in a
- Windows MS-DOS Box).
-
- NOTE: If you try to load DOSidle from a Windows95/98 DOS Box, then
- Windows95/98 displays a warning message saying that DOSidle may not
- run well, unless in MS-DOS mode. Answer NO to the question and you
- are done.
-
- Step 4: You have decided to use DOSidle regularly. DOSidle should be loaded
- from your Autoexec.bat, this way, you won't have to bother with it
- each time you restart your computer.
- Windows95/98 has it's own Autoexec.bat file. Also, MS-DOS 6.22 and
- earlier has it's Autoexec.bat. If you have BOTH of these Operating
- Systems installed, then you will need to include a line in both of
- them that will load DOSidle (later example: C:\DOSIDLE\DOSIDLE).
-
- Step 5: If you are using some sort of a boot manager (like System Commander),
- I assume you know how to find and edit your Autoexec.bat file(s) -
- please go to Step 7.
-
- If you are unsure about these files, I would suggest the following
- steps:
-
- Step 6: Locate the Autoexec.bat file(s). They should reside in the root
- directory of drive C. That is C:\
-
- Look for the following files: AUTOEXEC.BAT, AUTOEXEC.DOS,
- AUTOEXEC.W40, AUTOEXEC.W41 If you find any of these files, just
- include a line somewhere at the end like this (Optionally specifying
- command-line parameters. They are described in detail in the next
- section.):
-
- C:\DOSIDLE\DOSIDLE
-
- Step 7: Restart your computer, and voila:
- DOSidle is resident now. You can check it to make sure using the
- "mem /c /p" command at the DOS prompt. If you find DOSidle in the
- list of resident drivers, it's installed!
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 4.0 - THE COMMAND-LINE. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- DOSidle supports various command-line switches that control how the
- program behaves. All switches are case-insensitive (so "-tm" = "-TM").
- Please note that the switch character has changed from "/" (as in DOSidle
- V1.32 and earlier) to "-" (as in DOSidle V2.00 and later).
-
- SWITCHES:
- ─────────
-
- -H, -?:
- Displays a help message about command-line options, as well, as some examples.
-
- -U:
- Uninstalls DOSidle (removes it from memory).
- Of course, this is only possible, if it has been installed already. If not,
- DOSidle will fail with an error message. Also, if some other program altered
- the interrupt vectors that DOSidle uses it won't be able to uninstall.
-
- -Off:
- Suspends DOSidle.
- Use this switch if DOSidle conflicts with a certain application you are using.
- All features of DOSidle will be turned off as well as the program itself, but
- it will remain installed (in memory). Then when you finish using that
- application you can reactivate DOSidle with the -On switch.
-
- -On:
- Reactivates DOSidle after it has been suspended with the -Off switch.
- Read the paragraph above to find out why this is useful.
-
- -Cpu:
- Detects and optimizes the processor in the system.
- Currently, processors from Cyrix/IBM/SGS Thomson are optimized, but AMD and
- IDT processors will be supported in the near future as well (Intel processors
- don't have any special settings that can be tampered with :).
- Please read the CPU Detection and Optimization section for more information.
-
- -Fm2:
- Sets Strong Force Mode.
- This is one of the brand new features of DOSidle V2.00! It will install more
- aggressive idle loops resulting in MUCH MORE POWERFUL cooling. Of course,
- enabling this switch might cause some incompatibilities, but it is highly
- unlikely.
- This switch is enabled by default and I definately recommend using it!
-
- -Fm1:
- Sets Normal Force Mode.
- This is the idle loop that was used in V1.32 [Beta] of DOSidle. It yields
- worse cooling than Strong Force Mode (above paragraph), but should be more
- compatible. Only use it if Strong Force Mode is causing strange behaviour.
-
- -Fm0:
- Disables ALL Force Modes.
- Don't use this switch unless all other Force Modes fail (which surely should
- not happen).
-
- -Tm:
- Runs DOSidle in Test Mode.
- This makes the program display valuable information about interrupts and
- the number of HLT instructions executed at runtime. This switch is especially
- developed for Alpha and Beta testers, general users should avoid it.
- This switch is disabled by default.
-
-
- EXAMPLES:
- ─────────
-
- DOSidle
- Installs and activates DOSidle using to most powerful cooling routines (so
- -On and -Fm2 switches are selected by default).
-
- DOSidle -cpu
- Same as above except that the CPU of the system will be optimized for speed
- as well (this can actually cause a 10% - 15% overall performance gain).
- I recommend loading DOSidle this way.
-
- DOSidle -off
- Suspends DOSidle temporarily, until you type: DOSidle -on
-
- DOSidle -cpu -fm1 -tm
- Installs and activates DOSidle using the standard cooling routines. Detects
- and optimizes the CPU and runs DOSidle in Test Mode to display information
- about program performance.
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 5.0 - CPU DETECTION & OPTIMIZATION. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- With V2.00, CPU detecting and optimizing features have been added to
- DOSidle. DOSidle will now automatically detect to CPU in the system and
- optionally (if you select it with the -cpu switch) optimize it.
- CPU optimization may cause some system instabilities, only experiment
- with it once you are sure that everything else is stable. If something goes
- wrong afterwards, you can be sure that the CPU optimization is the cause.
- Please note that if DOSidle misidentifies your CPU it will still operate
- at full performance (that is, the cooling achievements won't alter), EXCEPT
- for the CPU optimization routines. So CPU misidentification is ONLY A
- COSMETIC issue, it has nothing to do with the program's cooling performance.
- The following CPUs are detected:
-
- CPUs from Cyrix CPUs from AMD CPUs from Intel
- ─────────────── ───────────── ───────────────
- Cyrix 486S A-Step AMD 486DX2 Intel 486DX at 25/33 Mhz
- Cyrix 486SLC AMD 486DX2-WB Intel 486DX at 50 Mhz
- Cyrix 486DLC AMD 486DX4 Intel 486SX
- Cyrix 486SLC2 AMD 486DX4-WB Intel 486DX2
- Cyrix 486DLC2 AMD 5x86 Intel 486SL
- Cyrix 486SRx AMD 5x86-WB Intel 486SX2
- Cyrix 486DRx AMD K5-SS/A Intel 486DX2-WB
- Cyrix 486SRx2 AMD K5 Intel 486DX4
- Cyrix 486DRx2 AMD K6-MMX Intel 486DX4-WB
- Cyrix 486SRu AMD K6-MMX/3D Intel Pentium A-Step
- Cyrix 486DRu AMD K6Plus-3D Intel Pentium
- Cyrix 486SRu2 Intel Pentium OverDrive
- Cyrix 486DRu2 Intel Pentium-MMX
- Cyrix 486S Intel Pentium Pro A-Step
- Cyrix 486S2 CPUs from NexGen Intel Pentium Pro
- Cyrix 486Se ──────────────── Intel Pentium II
- Cyrix 486S2e NexGen Nx586
- Cyrix 486DX NexGen Nx586 & Nx587
- Cyrix 486DX2 NexGen Nx686
- Cyrix 486DX4
- Cyrix 5x86
- Cyrix 6x86
- Cyrix 6x86L CPUs from UMC CPUs from IDT
- Cyrix 6x86MX ───────────── ─────────────
- Cyrix MediaGX UMC U5D IDT WinChip C6
- Cyrix GXm UMC U5S IDT WinChip C6Plus
-
-
- All future Cyrix and AMD processors will be detected due to their support
- for the extended CPUID instruction! The Cyrix/IBM/SGS Thomson CPUs that
- support the "Suspend on HLT" feature will be set up to use it automatically,
- regardless of the -cpu switch!!
-
- The following CPUs are optimized:
-
- CPUs from Cyrix
- ───────────────
- Cyrix 5x86 - Suspend on HLT, CPUID.
- Cyrix 6x86 - Suspend on HLT, CPUID, Weak Locking, Write Allocate.
- Cyrix 6x86L - Suspend on HLT, CPUID, Weak Locking, Write Allocate.
- Cyrix 6x86MX - Suspend on HLT, CPUID, Weak Locking, Write Allocate.
-
- Although DOSidle V2.00 supports many CPUs and their features, this is not
- an original goal of the program. If you think this is a useful feature
- DOSidle should definately have, please notify me of it. If I get enough
- feedback, I will add the following enhancements:
-
- Cyrix 5x86: Branch prediction, Out-of-order execution, cache policies and
- more...
-
- Cyrix 6x86, 6x86L, 6x86MX: Optimized ARRs/RCRs, Write Gathering, Extended MMX
- and more...
-
- AMD K5, K6: Write Allocate.
-
- IDT C6, C6+: Write Combining.
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 6.0 - HISTORY. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- DOSidle V2.00
- ─────────────
-
- - Recoded and optimized the WHOLE kernel for better performance, more
- features and easy future development (this is actually much more
- important than it sounds)!!
-
- - Added more powerful cooling routines to GREATLY ENHANCE performance!!
- Using the -Fm2, -Fm1, -Fm0 command-line switches you can now control
- DOSidle's cooling strategy directly!!
-
- - Added -On, -Off command-line switches to Activate and Suspend DOSidle
- at any time for a while, without removing it from memory!!
-
- - Added -Cpu command-line switch to Optimize the CPU!!
-
- - Added automatic CPU, Operating System and Protected Mode detection!!
-
- - Added automatic Cyrix/IBM/SGS Thomson 5x86, 6x86, 6x86L and 6x86MX
- "Suspend on HLT" feature enable!!
-
- - Added automatic Intel Pentium, Pentium-MMX and IDT WinChip C6 "Auto HLT"
- feature enable (Real-mode only)!!
-
- - Added automatic Intel Pentium-MMX "Low Power on Auto HLT" feature
- enable (Real-mode only)!!
-
- - Changed the command-line switch character from "/" to "-"!!
-
- - Fixed Modem and Mouse slowdown problem with DOSidle V1.32 [Beta]!!
-
- - Fixed at least five other bugs found in DOSidle V1.32 [Beta]!!
-
-
-
- DOSidle V1.32 [Beta]
- ────────────────────
-
- - First release of the DOSidle kernel, together with CPUIdle V2.40.
-
- - Added some cooling routines to the basic ones.
-
- - Added /TM switch for Test Mode, so DOSidle can display information
- about program performance.
-
- - Added /NF switch to disable Force Mode for compatibility with software
- that might not work correctly with the new cooling routines.
-
-
-
- DOSidle V1.10
- ─────────────
-
- - The first usable version of DOSidle, which was never released. I have
- coded it together with Andreas Goetz. Thanks Andi!
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 7.0 - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- Q: So what the heck is this program??
-
- A: DOSidle is a program that will take advantage of the power management
- features of your microprocessor so as to reduce heat buildup.
- Windows95/98 and MS-DOS does not support these features, therefore a lot
- of heat is generated unnecessarily when the system is idle (waiting for
- user input).
- Several measurements indicate that DOSidle can even cause a 10 C degrees
- (18 F degrees) temperature drop. Many good heatsinks and fans would envy
- this :)
-
-
-
- Q: I already have CPUIdle from Andreas Goetz, why would I want to use DOSidle?
-
- A: Simple. CPUIdle does a superb job in cooling the system under Windows95/98.
- On the other hand, DOSidle does a great job (hopefully) in cooling the
- system under MS-DOS 6.22 and earlier, MS-DOS 7.00 and later (Windows95/98
- MS-DOS) AND in a Window95/98 MS-DOS Box.
- Since users of Windows95/98 generally use MS-DOS in one of the above ways,
- DOSidle is needed to reduce heat just as CPUIdle does in pure Windows95/98.
-
-
-
- Q: I know CPUIdle quite well and I have observed that it can cause a
- temperature drop of 15 C degrees. How come DOSidle can't always achieve
- this performance?
-
- A: MS-DOS is a lot different story from Windows95/98. Whereas the Windows
- operating system handles idle threads quite naturally (and thus it's easier
- to know when the system is idle), MS-DOS is a place of total chaos. There
- is NO standard way of user I/O, therefore DOSidle must make a lot of
- assumptions.
- And of course, if a program manages its I/O in a quirky behaviour, DOSidle
- is tricked and it won't be able to cool effectively. Believe me, DOSidle
- does EVERYTHING that is possible under MS-DOS!
-
-
-
- Q: Will DOSidle slow my system in some way?
-
- A: No, no and NO! It definately shouldn't. If you notice program slowdown
- that is caused by DOSidle, please report it to me immediately!
-
-
-
- Q: Can DOSidle damage my CPU?
-
- A: NO!!
-
-
-
- Q: Do I have any financial obligations regarding DOSidle?
-
- A: No. On the other hand, I would greatly appreciate any donations that you
- may offer. And it would give me a great push to continue enhancing this
- program...
-
-
-
- Q: Can I have the assembly source code of DOSidle?
-
- A: If you pay for it... maybe. Otherwise no.
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 8.0 - FINAL WORDS. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- If anybody knows how to execute CPL0 (Ring 0) instructions under DPMI 0.9
- or DPMI 1.0, please let me know right away!! Also, I would greatly appreciate
- any feedback regarding DOSidle: notes, ideas, comments, bugs or any E-mail
- for any reason. Your opinion is the most important to me, but I will never
- know it unless I hear (or read) it :).
-
- I would like to thank Andi (Andreas Goetz) for his help and support, and
- Zsuzsi (Zsuzsa Petro) for her patience in first place.
-
- Many thanks go to the Beta testers of DOSidle as well. They are:
- - David Szots
- - Calvin Chan
- - Vito DeFilippo
- - Khediri Mourad
- - and finally, Andi and myself...
-
-
- Enjoy,
- Marton Balog
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- Address: Zsolt Fejedelem u.6
- Budapest, 1029
- Hungary, Europe.
-
- E-Mail: dosidle@usa.net
-
-
-
-
-
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
- ░░░░░░░░░░░░░▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒ 9.0 - LEGAL AND DISCLAIMER. ▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒░░░░░░░░░░░░
- ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
- This software can be used freely without any obligations to the author in
- non-commercial enviroments. For use of commercial purposes, you have to
- contact the author, Marton Balog, and receive explicit permission. Commercial
- purposes include CD-ROMs with bundled free software as well as integration
- of this software into other programs.
-
-
-
- THIS SOFTWARE PACKAGE (DOSIDLE.ZIP) INCLUDING ALL ACCOMPANYING FILES ARE
- DISTRIBUTED "AS IS", WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES, EIGHTER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
- THE AUTHOR (MARTON BALOG) DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR POSSIBLE
- DAMAGES OR FUNCTIONALITY AND CAN NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED
- DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY THIS SOFTWARE.
- USE EVERYTHING AT YOUR OWN RISK!
-
- ALL TRADMARKS MENTIONED IN THIS DOCUMENTATION ARE PROPERTIES OF THEIR
- RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
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