Black Box 4/BlackBox.cdr/desqview/qwhite.arj/DOS5.TEC

Text File | 1992-03-09 | 18KB | 321 lines

ID:D5 DOS 5 and Quarterdeck Products
Quarterdeck Technical Note #200
by the Quarterdeck Compatibility Dept.
last revision:  10 February 1992

                       DOS 5 AND QUARTERDECK PRODUCTS

The shipping versions of all Quarterdeck products are compatible with IBM and
Microsoft DOS 5.

DOS 5 contains a number of enhancements over previous versions.  Among the
most notable features is more advanced memory management -- specifically, the
ability to create and use DOS "High Memory" regions above 640K.  These high-
memory regions can be used for loading resident programs, drivers, and parts
of DOS itself.

In many ways the facilities for managing memory that are built into DOS 5 are
similar to those first made available to users of DOS 2.x, 3.x and 4.x by
version 4.10 of QEMM-386, released in the spring of 1988.  QEMM-386, which is
now at version 6.0, has evolved considerably from that original product,
incorporating improvements with each new version.  These improvements have
progressively resulted in more available memory for the user, higher
reliability and enhanced ease of use.  Quarterdeck also makes some of this
technology available to users of 8088 and 80286 computers with EMS 4 or Shadow
RAM, through its QRAM and QEMM-50/60 products, which the memory management of
Microsoft and IBM DOS 5 does not.

While the memory management features of DOS 5 represent an advance for DOS,
using Quarterdeck's memory managers still provides significant advantages for
most DOS 5 users.  The differences between the current release of Quarterdeck
memory managers and those built into DOS 5 are as follows:

1)  The combined size of DOS 5's memory managers (HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.SYS) is
8.4 to 10.4K.  QEMM-386 provides the facilities of both these drivers in 3 to
4K.  Therefore, even with optimally configured DOS memory managers, QEMM
should retain an advantage of nearly 7K below 640K.

2)  QEMM-386 typically provides 96K MORE High RAM by default than the DOS 5
memory managers on non-PS/2 systems, and 128K MORE by default on PS/2 systems.
The DOS 5 memory manager allows these areas to be included manually, but this
requires some expertise.

3)  QEMM's Squeeze technology allows larger resident programs to be loaded by
allowing them to squeeze, temporarily, into the EMS page frame when loading.
The DOS 5 memory managers do not provide a similar feature.

4)  Using QEMM-386 6.0's new Stealth option QEMM can provide EVEN MORE high
RAM (211k total is common), by hiding machine ROMs and allowing High RAM to be
mapped over them.  Neither DOS 5's memory managers or any other third-party
memory manager currently provides this patent-pending, technology.

5)  DOS 5 has no equivalent to Quarterdeck's Manifest program.  Manifest is a
memory analysis program that currently is included free with QEMM-386, QEMM-
50/60 and QRAM.  It provides extensive information about the computer it is
running on and is an invaluable tool when optimizing a system or diagnosing a
memory problem or conflict.

6)  The DOS 5 memory manager provides no OPTIMIZE program automatically to
load TSR's and device drivers optimally into the regions of upper memory.
Novice users may experience considerable difficulty achieving good results
from the DOS 5 LOADHIGH program, but even advanced users will appreciate the
speed and accuracy with which OPTIMIZE sets up a system.

7)  The DOS 5 memory manager provides no Analysis feature.  QEMM's Analysis is
an extremely useful tool that can be used to determine the areas of high
memory that can safely be used when the memory manager cannot make this
determination on it's own.  Analysis also lets QEMM-386 users reclaim unused
addresses in the system ROM and in other areas in high memory -- a great
advantage to memory-hungry users.

8)  The DOS 5 memory manager cannot map ROMs into faster RAM.  QEMM-386 has
the option of mapping ROMs into fast RAM -- a feature that often results in
substantially better performance, especially where screen update speed is
important.

9)  The DOS 5 memory managers have no option to sort memory.  On machines
where some sections of memory runs slower than other sections, QEMM-386 can
sort the memory so that the fastest memory will be used first.

10)  The DOS 5 memory manager cannot manage ShadowRAM or Top Memory, a feature
QEMM-386 users on limited-memory systems depend heavily upon.  Many 1MB
systems turn 384K of the first megabyte of memory into ShadowRAM or Top
Memory.  This memory is unavailable when using the DOS 5 memory managers.

11)  Microsoft Windows 3.0 Standard mode won't run under the DOS 5 memory
manager when the memory manager is active (in virtual 8086 mode), for example
when using a disk cache.  QEMM-386 is the only currently shipping memory
manager that can run Windows 3.0 in all three modes:  Real, Standard or
Enhanced, whether or not QEMM-386 is active.

12)  The DOS 5 memory manager provides no control over the region of High RAM
that can be used to load programs high.  This means that even expert users may
be unable to use High RAM efficiently in situations where TSR's and drivers
must be loaded in a specific order.  The Quarterdeck LOADHI programs allow
TSR's or drivers to be directed to specific high memory locations, giving
complete control to the user.  Of course, as mentioned before, this feature is
used expertly by the OPTIMIZE program in order to provide the optimum
configuration.

13)  On PS/2s and other microchannel systems, QEMM-386 can automatically
detect the addresses used by any adapter listed in our MCA.ADL file.  This is
especially valuable on systems with adapter RAM (used by many network cards,
among other adapters).  Adapter RAM can be particularly hard for 386 memory
managers to detect.  The DOS 5 memory manager has no such feature.  As the
addresses used by network cards vary from machine to machine and card to card,
QEMM-386's MCA.ADL file can save considerable work for network administrators
in companies with large installations of PS/2s or micro channel compatibles on
networks.  Users of PS/2 machines that are not on a network will also benefit
from this "ease of use" feature.

14)  DOS 5 has no equivalent for the VIDRAM utility, that allows users to
extend conventional memory on EGA/VGA systems when running programs that are
not using EGA/VGA graphics.

15)  The DOS 5 Memory Manager is less flexible for configuring expanded memory
(EMS).  Many DOS programs support EMS memory; others use XMS.  To have both
types of memory, the DOS memory manager requires you to divide extended memory
-- part as EMS, part as XMS. To change the amounts available, you must edit
your CONFIG.SYS file and reboot.  QEMM-386 allows EMS and XMS to "share"
extended memory.  With QEMM-386 applications can use up to the maximum amount
of memory available as EMS, XMS, or a combination of the two -- without
reconfiguring or rebooting the system.

16)  DOS 5.0 provides no software for managing Upper Memory Blocks (UMBs) on
8088 or 80286 machines with EMS 4 or shadow RAM.  Quarterdeck's QRAM and QEMM-
50/60 provide a path for users of these machines to use "LOADHI" technology
(Quarterdeck's or DOS 5's), while maintaining an interface that is consistent
with 386 and 486 machines that are running QEMM-386 and DOS 5, or earlier
versions of DOS.

17)  QEMM-386 is required to support DESQview 386.  While DESQview can run
with the DOS 5 memory managers, as it can with other EMS drivers, only by
using QEMM-386 can you get the special features of DESQview 386 that provide
for memory protection and the multi-tasking of "ill-behaved" DOS programs.

18)  QEMM version 6.0 now supports the Suspend and Resume features of some
portables and noebook computers that these computers use to minimize battery
drain.


UPGRADING -- THE EASY PATH

Installing DOS 5 over a QEMM-386 System

If you are installing DOS 5 on a system that already has QEMM-386, QEMM-50/60
or QRAM installed, simply leave the Quarterdeck memory managers in place and
run the DOS SETUP program.  SETUP will detect that a compatible memory manager
is installed and will not replace it.  SETUP typically makes two changes to
your CONFIG.SYS file.  It places a "DEVICE=SETVER.EXE" statement at the
beginning of your CONFIG.SYS file (before QEMM386, QEMM, or QRAM) and puts
"DOS=HIGH" at the end of the CONFIG.SYS.  It will also put a
"SHELL=COMMAND.COM" statement in the file if there is not one already.  For
our purposes, you can leave that as it is.

If you like, you can move the line that loads SETVER.EXE below the line that
loads QEMM-386 (or QRAM) and run OPTIMIZE.  OPTIMIZE will take care of loading
SETVER high.  The default size of SETVER is .4K, so even if you leave it
alone, it will not make a big impact on your memory.  Of course, if you don't
have any programs that require it (run SETVER with no parameters to see the
list), you can take it out entirely.

Once you have installed the DOS 5 upgrade, you should switch to your QEMM
directory and run the OPTIMIZE program.  Since the installation of DOS 5 will
have changed your memory configuration, running Optimize will take care of any
rearrangement of programs in high memory that is necessary to give you the
largest possible memory in DOS.

If you are running DESQview, you may want to Optimize with the /STEALTH
option, even though Optimize may not suggest it automatically.  DESQview can
use the extra memory that is provided by Stealth.


Installing QEMM-386 6.0 or above over a DOS 5 system

If you are installing QEMM onto a system that already has DOS 5, simply put
the distribution disk in your floppy drive and run the INSTALL program.  With
QEMM 6.0 and above the INSTALL routines are fully aware of DOS 5 and will
automatically run the Optimize program to configure the system optimally.
There is no need to do any "pre-configuration" to the system or to remove any
of the DOS 5 memory management utilities.  If the Stealth feature is needed to
get your resident programs loaded into high memory, Stealth will be offered
automatically by the Optimize program.

As suggested above, if you are running DESQview, you may want to force the
Stealth feature, but running OPTIMIZE /STEALTH, since DESQview can use this
extra memory that is provided by Stealth.

If you have any questions about whether your system is optimized or if you
have added or subtracted any TSR's or drivers during the upgrade, check the
"Hints" given by Manifest and re-run the OPTIMIZE program.

Note:  In some cases, DESQview users get larger memory in their DOS windows by
removing the "DOS=HIGH" from the end of the CONFIG.SYS file.  This allows
DESQview to use the High Memory Area (HMA) that DOS would otherwise use.
DESQview is somewhat more efficient at using the HMA than DOS, so giving
DESQview the HMA usually results in more memory in your DESQview window.  The
only way to be sure which is better is to try it and run the DESQview memory
status program to determine which configuration provides the most memory.


Microsoft Windows 3.0 in Enhanced mode

If you will be running Microsoft Windows in Enhanced mode and plan to use the
DOS=HIGH parameter, you cannot use QEMM-386's "EXT=" or "MEM=" parameters.
When these parameters are used, Windows cannot properly take over management
of the High Memory Area and will fail to start in Enhanced mode.  These
parameters do not affect operation in Real or Standard modes, as QEMM remains
in control of memory when those modes are used.  Further information
concerning Windows 3.0 and Quarterdeck products may be found in our technotes
which are specific to Windows.

COMPATIBILITY WITH EARLIER SOFTWARE

The following are specific compatibility issues related to earlier versions of
Quarterdeck software and the use of DOS 5.

1)  QEMM-386 versions earlier than 6.0:

Versions of QEMM-386 5.0 and after are essentially compatible with DOS 5, but
some features are not supported.  Specifically, the BUFFERS.COM program
supplied with earlier versions of QEMM cannot be used. The DOS=HIGH command of
DOS 5 is supported, but none of the other DOS 5 memory management commands
(LOADHIGH, DEVICEHIGH, UMB) can be supported.  QEMM's "LOADHI" utilities work
properly, but QEMM's INSTALL program will not replace the DOS 5 memory
managers and the Optimize program does not work properly unless the DOS 5
memory management features are removed manually from the CONFIG.SYS and
AUTOEXEC.BAT.  Generally, an upgrade to QEMM 6.0 or above is highly
recommended.

2)  For QRAM or QEMM 50/60 users who are using QEXT.SYS:

If you wish to use the DOS=HIGH option, obtain a version of Quarterdeck's
QEXT.SYS dated later than May, 1991.  Earlier versions do not work with the
"DOS=HIGH" option.  A version that will work is currently available on the
Quarterdeck Electronic Bulletin Board system (310-314-3227) and is shipped
with current versions of Quarterdeck software.

If you are using the DOS 5 RAMDRIVE.SYS or SMARTDRV.SYS and they fail to load,
move the line that loads QEXT.SYS so that it loads BEFORE the QEMM 50/60
driver or QRAM in your CONFIG.SYS file. Current versions of QEXT.SYS also
solve this problem.

3)  If you use DOS 5's DOSKEY utility and run DESQview:

Obtain DESQview 2.34 or later from the Quarterdeck orders department.
Otherwise the DOSKEY utility will conflict with DESQview's DOS Services
program if loaded before DESQview.  To use DOSKEY in a DESQview DOS window,
modify the "Program" line of the program information file using "Change a
Program" to load "DOSKEY" and configure the "Parameters" line with
"/REINSTALL" so that each DOS window will have its own, unique set of stacked
commands.

4)  If you run Microsoft Windows 3.0 in Standard mode, inside DESQview:

Obtain DESQview 2.34 or later from Quarterdeck orders department.  Earlier
versions of DESQview run Windows unreliably in Standard mode when DOS 5 is
present.  There is not a problem running Windows Real mode.

5)  If you run DOS 5's DOSSHELL program:

The DOSSHELL program works fine with Quarterdeck's memory management software.
It is also possible to start DESQview from  the shell, however you cannot task
switch away from versions of DESQview prior to 2.34 or the system will hang.
DESQview 2.34 (and later versions) prevents this problem; however, it is
presumed that most users who use more advanced DOS environments, such as
DESQview or Windows, will not be using DOSSHELL.

6)  If you run DESQview and use SETVER.EXE:

SETVER, does not take effect when run inside DESQview 2.33 or earlier. Because
SETVER does not work inside DESQview 2.33 and earlier, programs that require
SETVER may malfunction when run under these versions of DESQview.  A list of
the programs that require SETVER is available by typing "SETVER" to the DOS
prompt.  If you have programs which require the use of SETVER in DOS and want
to run them in DESQview, contact the Quarterdeck Orders Department for an
upgrade of your DESQview to version 2.34 or later.

7)  If your system requires the DOS DISPLAY.SYS or PRINTER.SYS drivers:

The DOS 5 utilities, DISPLAY.SYS and PRINTER.SYS cannot be successfully loaded
into upper memory by the LOADHI.SYS that ships with QEMM-386 5.13 and earlier,
QEMM-50/60 5.00 and earlier, and QRAM 1.01 and earlier. Current versions of
LOADHI.SYS can load these drivers into upper memory.

8)  If you run DESQview and get the message, "packed file is corrupt", when
you open a window:

The EXEPACK utility that came with versions of DOS before DOS 5 contained a
bug that resulted in the error message "packed file is corrupt" being given
when a packed .EXE file was executed in the first 64K of conventional memory.
DOS 5 patches the files in memory so that they can be successfully unpacked
and executed.  However, since DESQview takes over much of the program-loading
process from DOS, this patch does not take effect in DESQview versions before
2.34.  If you encounter this error, opening a window in DESQview, contact the
Quarterdeck Orders Department for an upgrade to your DESQview.

9)  A version of Manifest 1.01 or higher is necessary to run properly in DOS
5.  Version 1.00 of Manifest will run in a limited manner if it is added to
the SETVER list.

For Reference:

Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052
Microsoft automated support for DOS 5   [phone].
Microsoft "90-day, free support"        [phone].
Microsoft "after 90 days, support"      [phone] ($2 per min.)
or                                      [phone] ($20 per call)

Quarterdeck Office Systems, 150 Pico Boulevard,  Santa Monica, CA 90405
Technical Support (Voice):              [phone]
Orders and Upgrade Hotline              [phone]
Q/FAX  - Automated FAX Request Line:    [phone]
Inbound FAX:                            [phone]


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  *This technical note may be copied and distributed freely as long as it*
  *is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit.  *
  *         Copyright (C) 1990-2 by Quarterdeck Office Systems           *
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