From: Jamal Mazrui <74444.1076@COMPUSERVE.COM> Subject: MS Knowledge Base on Windows 95/DOS To: Multiple recipients of list EASI Content-Type: text As my employer recently upgraded to Windows 95, I've been investigating how to optimally configure a computer to run a mix of GUI and DOS applications with speech access. Since the Windows 3.1 environment simply loaded from DOS, it was generally best to make the DOS prompt the default platform, and then run Windows when GUI applications were needed. With Windows 95, on the other hand, it seems generally best to make the GUI environment the default, and then run DOS sessions when needed. The choice, however, is less clear than previously, because three types of DOS sessions are possible: (1) DOS before the GUI is launched--with BootGUI=0 in MSDOS.SYS, (2) DOS in a concurrent GUI window--whether maximized or not, and (3) DOS after the GUI is suspended--either manually or automatically with the shutdown process. Each type of DOS session apparently has pros and cons regarding performance, stability, and complexity of setup. In an effort to learn as much as possible about the trade-offs of these different approaches, I searched extensively for electronic documentation on the subject. I found that the "Introducing Windows 95" manual hardly mentions DOS sessions. The "Windows 95 Resource Kit" does address it. The most current and complete information, however, is in the "Microsoft Knowledge Base," an online, cumulative compilation of tech support responses. I spent several hours searching it on CompuServe, continually narrowing the articles selected to those that contributed key elements of understanding, and then ordering them in a logical sequence. I am posting this collection of authoritative articles on Windows 95 and DOS, believing that many others may benefit, either directly or by sharing the material with their computer specialists. For ease of reading, I've removed indexing codes and duplicate headers. The contents follows: Knowledge Base Product Name: Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product Product Version: 95 Operating System: WINDOWS COPYRIGHT Microsoft Corporation, 1995, 1996 Contents of the Windows 95 Msdos.sys File How to Create an Msdos.sys File Larger Than 1024 Bytes How to Boot to a Command Prompt by Default How to Create Default PIF for MS-DOS-Based Programs Settings Used in the APPS.INF File General Tips for Using MS-DOS Mode How to Run Automatic Commands When Starting in MS-DOS Mode How to Install Old MS-DOS Tools in Windows 95 ---------- Title: Contents of the Windows 95 Msdos.sys File Document Number: Q118579 Publ Date: 23-FEB-1996 SUMMARY ======= The Windows 95 Setup program creates a file called Msdos.sys in the root folder and sets the file's Read-Only, System, and Hidden attributes. Unlike the Msdos.sys file in MS-DOS, this file is a text file. It contains a [Paths] section that lists the locations for other Windows 95 files (such as the registry) and an [Options] section that you can use to personalize the boot process. MORE INFORMATION ================ The [Paths] section can contain the following settings: --------------------------------------------------------------------- HostWinBootDrv= Default: C Purpose: Specifies the location for the root of the boot drive. --------------------------------------------------------------------- WinBootDir= Default: Directory specified during Setup (for example, C:\WINDOWS) Purpose: Lists the location of the necessary files for booting. -------------------------------------------------------------------- WinDir= Default: Directory specified during Setup (for example, C:\WINDOWS) Purpose: Lists the location of the Windows 95 directory specified during Setup. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The [Options] section can contain the following settings and must be manually inserted: -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootDelay= Default: 2 Purpose: Sets the amount of time the "Starting Windows" message remains on the screen before Windows 95 continues to boot. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootSafe= Default: 0 Purpose: A setting of 1 forces your computer to boot in safe mode. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootGUI= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 1 forces the loading of the GUI interface. A setting of 0 disables the loading of the GUI interface. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootKeys= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 1 enables the use of the function key boot options (that is, F4, F5, F6, and F8). A setting of 0 disables the use of these function keys during the boot process NOTE: A setting of BootKeys=0 overrides the use of BootDelay=n. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootMenu= Default: 0 Purpose: A setting of 1 enables the Startup menu. If this setting is 0, then you must press the F8 key when "Starting Windows 95" appears to invoke the Startup menu. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootMenuDefault= Default: 1 if the system is running correctly 3 if the system hung in the previous instance Purpose: Use this setting to set the default menu item for startup. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootMenuDelay= Default: 30 Purpose: This setting is used to set the number of seconds your system will pause on the Startup menu. If the number of seconds counts down to 0 without intervention, the BootMenuDefault is activated. NOTE: This option is not functional unless BootMenu=1 has been added to the [Options] section of the Msdos.sys file. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootMulti= Default: 0 Purpose: A setting of 0 disables the multi-boot option. (For example, with a setting of 0 you cannot boot your previous operating system.) A setting of 1 enables the F4 and F8 keys to boot your previous operating system. NOTE: This setting is set to 0 by default to prevent you from inadvertently starting MS-DOS and damaging data by running a disk utility that does not recognize long file names. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootWarn= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 0 disables the safe mode boot warning message and the Startup menu. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BootWin= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 1 forces Windows 95 to load at startup. A setting of 0 disables Windows 95 as your default operating system (this is useful only if you have MS-DOS version 5.x or 6.x on the computer). NOTE: Pressing F4 inverts the default only if BootMulti=1. (For example, pressing the F4 key with a setting of 0 forces Windows 95 to load.) -------------------------------------------------------------------- DoubleBuffer= Default: 0 Purpose: A setting of 1 is a conditional setting that enables double- buffering for controllers that need it (for example, SCSI controllers). A setting of 2 is an unconditional setting that enables double-buffering regardless of whether the controller needs it or not. -------------------------------------------------------------------- DBLSpace= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 1 allows the automatic loading of the DBLSPACE.BIN file. A setting of 0 prevents the automatic loading of this file. NOTE: Windows 95 uses either Dblspace.bin or Drvspace.bin if either is present in the root folder of the boot drive at startup. To disable a compression driver from being loaded at startup, use both settings in the Msdos.sys file. For example: DBLSpace=0 DRVSpace=0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- DRVSpace= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 1 allows the automatic loading of the DRVSPACE.BIN file. A setting of 0 prevents the automatic loading of this file. NOTE: Windows 95 uses either Dblspace.bin or Drvspace.bin if either is present in the root folder of the boot drive at startup. To disable a compression driver from being loaded at startup, use both settings in the Msdos.sys file. For example: DBLSpace=0 DRVSpace=0 -------------------------------------------------------------------- LoadTop= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 0 does not let Windows 95 load COMMAND.COM or DRVSPACE.BIN/DBLSPACE.BIN at the top of 640K. If you are having compatibility problems with software that makes assumptions about the available memory try setting this to 0. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Logo= Default: 1 Purpose: A setting of 1 forces the default Windows 95 logo to appear. A setting of 0 prevents the animated logo from being displayed. A setting of 0 also avoids hooking a variety of interrupts that can create incompatibilities with certain third-party memory managers. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Network= Default: 0 Purpose: A setting of 1 means the network was installed and adds "Safe mode with network support" as an option on the Windows 95 Startup menu. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Msdos.sys file also contains a section that contains seemingly useless information. This information is necessary to support programs that expect the Msdos.sys file to be at least 1024 bytes in length. For example, if an anti-virus program detects that the Msdos.sys file is less than 1024 bytes, it may assume that the Msdos.sys file is infected with a virus. If you delete the Msdos.sys file your computer will not start. The following statement, followed by a series of "X"s, appears in the Msdos.sys file: ;The following lines are required for compatibility with other programs. ;Do not remove them (Msdos.sys needs to be >1024 bytes). Since each line begins with a semicolon (;), the lines are not read by the system. How to Edit the Msdos.sys File ------------------------------ If you want to change any of the values in the Msdos.sys file, follow these steps to edit the file: 1. Click the Start button, point to Find, then click Files Or Folders. 2. In the Named box, type "msdos.sys" (without quotation marks). In the Look In box, click your boot drive (usually drive C). Click the Find Now button. 3. Use the right mouse button to click the Msdos.sys file and then click Properties on the menu that appears. 4. Click the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to remove these attributes from the Msdos.sys file and then click OK. 5. Use the right mouse button to click the Msdos.sys file and then click Open With on the menu that appears. 6. In the "Choose the program you want to use" box, click WordPad and then click OK. 7. Make the changes you want to the Msdos.sys file. When you are done, save the file and then quit WordPad. 8. Use the right mouse button to click the Msdos.sys file and then click Properties on the menu that appears. 9. Click the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to set these attributes for the file and then click OK. Close the Find window. 10. Quit and then restart Windows. ---------- Title: How to Create an Msdos.sys File Larger Than 1024 Bytes Document Number: Q129998 Publ Date: 15-MAR-1996 SUMMARY ======= Some programs expect the Msdos.sys file to be at least 1024 bytes in length. If it is not, these programs may not work correctly. For example, if an anti-virus program detects that the Msdos.sys file is less than 1024 bytes in length, the program may assume that the Msdos.sys file is infected with a virus. If you use the SYS command to transfer system files from your Windows 95 Startup disk to the hard disk, the Msdos.sys file that is copied to the hard disk is less than 1024 bytes in length. This article describes how to create an Msdos.sys file that is at least 1024 bytes in length. MORE INFORMATION ================ To create an Msdos.sys file that is at least 1024 bytes in length, follow these steps: 1. At a command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after each line: attrib -s -h -r c:\msdos.sys edit c:\msdos.sys 2. Add the following lines to the Msdos.sys file [Paths] WinDir= WinBootDir= HostWinBootDrv=C [Options] BootGUI=1 ; ;Some programs on this system expect the Msdos.sys file to be at least ;1024 bytes in length; hence, the following lines create an Msdos.sys ;file that is greater than 1024 bytes in length. These lines are not ;needed for Windows 95 to boot or run. ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxb ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxd ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxe ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxf ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxg ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxj ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxk ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxm ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxn ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxo ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxp ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxq ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxr ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs where is the folder containing Windows 95 (for example, C:\Windows). If you are using disk compression software (such as DriveSpace), change the letter in the "HostWinBootDrv=" line to the letter of the host drive. You must add the lines with all the Xs to make the Msdos.sys file at least 1024 bytes in length. 3. Save the Msdos.sys file and then exit Edit.com 4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER: attrib +s +h +r c:\msdos.sys 5. Restart your computer. ---------- Title: How to Boot to a Command Prompt by Default Document Number: Q141721 Publ Date: 22-DEC-1995 SUMMARY ======= This article describes how to configure Windows 95 to boot to a command prompt automatically. MORE INFORMATION ================ To configure Windows 95 to boot to a command prompt automatically, follow these steps: 1. Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, press the F8 key, and then choose Safe Mode Command Prompt Only from the Startup menu. 2. Type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line: attrib -s -h -r msdos.sys edit msdos.sys 3. Change the line that reads BootGUI=1 to read: BootGUI=0 4. Save the Msdos.sys file and then close the editor. 5. Type the following line, and then press ENTER: attrib +s +h +r msdos.sys 6. Restart your computer. When the computer restarts, it automatically boots to a command prompt. To load the Windows 95 graphical user interface (GUI), type "win" (without quotation marks) at the command prompt. ---------- Title: How to Create Default PIF for MS-DOS-Based Programs Document Number: Q131877 Publ Date: 31-AUG-1995 SUMMARY ======= This article describes how to create a default program information file (PIF) for MS-DOS-based programs. MORE INFORMATION ================ A default PIF file for MS-DOS-based programs is used for those MS-DOS-based programs that are not shipped with their own PIF files, and are started by clicking Run on the Start menu. To create a default PIF file for MS-DOS- based programs, follow these steps: 1. Open the Windows folder. 2. On the File menu, point to New, then click Shortcut. 3. In the Command Line box, type "command.com" (without quotation marks), then click Next. 4. In the "Select a name for the shortcut" box, type "_DEFAULT" (without quotation marks), then click Finish. 5. Use the right mouse button to click the new _DEFAULT.PIF file, then click Properties on the menu that appears. 6. Set the properties you want for the _DEFAULT.PIF file, then click OK. 7. Restart Windows 95. ---------- Title: Settings Used in the APPS.INF File Document Number: Q130971 Publ Date: 28-AUG-1995 SUMMARY ======= The APPS.INF file contains information about the manner in which MS-DOS-based programs are run. Each program listed in the [PIF95] section contains its own section, with the settings for the program listed there. This article explains the abbreviated codes used in these sections. MORE INFORMATION ================ Name Key Description Default ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WINDOWED "win" Open windowed instead of full-screen Y BACKGROUND "bgd" Run in background Y EXCLUSIVE "exc" Exclusive mode Ignored DETECTIDLE "dit" Idle sensitivity Y LOWLOCKED "lml" Lock conventional memory Ignored EMSLOCKED "eml" Lock EMS memory N XMSLOCKED "xml" Lock XMS memory N USEHMA "hma" Uses HMA Y EMULATEROM "emt" Fast ROM emulation Y RETAINVRAM "rvm" Retain video memory Ignored FASTPASTE "afp" Fast pasting Y The following settings control which keyboard shortcuts are active when the MS-DOS-based program has the focus. If the key is disabled, pressing the key sends the keystroke to the program instead of to Windows 95. Name Key Description Default ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ALTTAB "ata" Allow ALT+TAB to switch away Y ALTESC "aes" Allow ALT+ESC to switch away Y CTRLESC "ces" Allow CTRL+ESC to switch away Y PRTSCRN "psc" Allow PrtSc to perform screen snap Y ALTPRTSCRN "aps" Allow ALT+PrtSc to perform screen snap Y ALTSPACE "asp" Allow ALT+SPACE to view System menu Y ALTENTER "aen" Allow ALT+ENTER to toggle box/full-screen Y WINLIE "lie" Prevent MS-DOS-based programs N from detecting Windows GLOBALMEM "gmp" Enable global memory protection N REALMODE "dos" Run program in MS-DOS mode N The following settings apply only if the REALMODE flag is set. These settings control which MS-DOS-based TSRs should be loaded in real mode. Name Key Description Default ---------------------------------------------------------------------- MOUSE "mse" Mouse funtionality Y EMS "ems" EMM386 Y CDROM "cdr" CD-ROM driver/MSCDEX Y NETWORK "net" Network drivers Y DISKLOCK "dsk" Allow direct disk access N PRIVATECFG "cfg" Use custom CONFIG.SYS settings N VESA "vsa" Extended video (VESA) support Y CLOSEONEXIT "cwe" Close on exit N ALLOWSSAVER "sav" Allow screen saver to interrupt program Y UNIQUESETTINGS "uus" Run program in separate session N ---------- Title: General Tips for Using MS-DOS Mode Document Number: Q134400 Publ Date: 02-APR-1996 SUMMARY ======= You can use MS-DOS mode in Windows 95 to run MS-DOS-based programs that require exclusive use of all your computer's resources. This article contains tips on how to configure MS-DOS mode. MORE INFORMATION ================ Windows 95 normally uses MS-DOS mode when it detects that a program requires it. If the program you want to run is not recognized by Windows 95, you receive an error message stating that the program cannot be run within Windows. You can then manually configure the program to use MS-DOS mode. Once you configure a program to use MS-DOS mode, double-clicking the program's icon causes Windows 95 to switch to MS-DOS mode automatically. Before switching to this mode, Windows 95 ends all running tasks, loads a real-mode copy of MS-DOS, and loads customized Autoexec.bat and Config.sys files if appropriate. When you exit MS-DOS mode, Windows 95 restarts. Configuring MS-DOS Mode ----------------------- To configure an MS-DOS-based program to run in MS-DOS mode, you should have a shortcut icon for the program. If there is no shortcut icon for the program, use the right mouse button to click the program's icon, and then click Create Shortcut on the menu that appears. Once there is a shortcut icon for the program, follow these steps to configure the program to use MS-DOS mode: 1. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut icon, and then click Properties on the menu that appears. 2. On the Program tab, click Advanced. 3. Click the "Prevent MS-DOS-based programs from detecting Windows" check box to select it. 4. Click OK. 5. Try to run the program by double-clicking its shortcut icon. If the program runs, stop here. If the program still does not run, continue with these steps. 6. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut icon, and then click Properties on the menu that appears. 7. On the Program tab, click Advanced. 8. Click the MS-DOS Mode check box to select it. 9. Click OK. 10. Try to run the program by double-clicking its shortcut icon. If the program runs, stop here. If the program still does not run, continue with these steps. 11. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut icon, and then click Properties on the menu that appears. 12. On the Program tab, click Advanced. 13. Click the Specify A New MS-DOS Configuration option button. This option lets you specify a custom Config.sys and Autoexec.bat file for the program. The custom configuration is in effect for this program only. Specifying a New MS-DOS configuration ------------------------------------- To change the configuration to suit the program, follow these steps: 1. Review the lines in the Config.sys For MS-DOS Mode and Autoexec.bat For MS-DOS Mode boxes. Make any necessary changes directly in the boxes. NOTE: If you must add a driver or program for every MS-DOS based program you run, create a new file called Dosstart.bat in the Windows directory. Add the driver or program to this file. 2. If a program does not run or performs poorly because of insufficient memory or the lack of a driver, click the Configuration button to choose the options you want for the program. To learn the purpose of each option, click the option's text and then read the description. Click the options you want, and then click OK. NOTE: Using these options removes any entries you may have already made in the Config.sys For MS-DOS Mode and Autoexec.bat For MS-DOS Mode boxes. WARNING: Although some MS-DOS-based programs require direct disk access, most do not. Use this option with caution. Using this option can allow an MS-DOS-based program to destroy long filename support in Windows 95. For more information about configuring an MS-DOS-based program, consult the program's documentation. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q77083 TITLE: Optimizing Your Use Of Upper Memory Blocks Default Changes to Configuration Files -------------------------------------- When you start MS-DOS mode, new Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files are created. The following lines are added automatically by Windows 95: The first line of the Config.sys file: DOS=SINGLE The last lines of the Autoexec.bat file: REM REM The following lines have been created by Windows. REM Do not modify them. CD \ CALL \WIN.COM /W The line "DOS=SINGLE" causes your computer to start in MS-DOS mode. The "Call" line starts the MS-DOS-based program. The "WIN.COM /W" command restarts Windows 95 with the normal configuration. Troubleshooting --------------- - Windows 95 does not restart after you quit the MS-DOS-based program. Type "win /w" (without quotation marks) at the command prompt to restart Windows 95. - The program does not run in MS-DOS mode because of an incorrect configuration. Add the appropriate lines in the Advanced Program Settings dialog box. REFERENCES ========== For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q132994 TITLE: Games (A-H) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode ARTICLE-ID: Q132995 TITLE: Games (I-Q) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode ARTICLE-ID: Q132996 TITLE: Games (R-Z) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode Microsoft Windows 95 "Resource Kit," Chapter 22, Application Support ---------- Title: How to Run Automatic Commands When Starting in MS-DOS Mode Document Number: Q141308 Publ Date: 07-MAR-1996 SUMMARY ======= This article describes how to run commands automatically when you use the "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode" option to restart your computer. MORE INFORMATION ================ When you restart your computer in MS-DOS mode, any commands in the Dosstart.bat file are carried out. You can place commands you want to be run when you restart your computer in MS-DOS mode in the Dosstart.bat file. To do so, follow these steps: 1. Start Notepad. 2. Type the commands you want in the Dosstart.bat file in the empty Notepad file. 3. On the File menu, click Save As. 4. Save the file as Dosstart.bat in the Windows folder. 5. Quit Notepad. When you restart your computer using the "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode" option, the "Exit to Dos" file is processed. If you want to use a different Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file for MS-DOS mode, modify the "Exit to Dos" file. To modify the "Exit to Dos" file, follow these steps: 1. Use the right mouse button to click the "Exit to Dos" file in the Windows folder, and then click Properties on the menu that appears. NOTE: If the "Exit to Dos" file does not exist in the Windows folder, create it with the following steps, and then try step 1 again: a. Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down. b. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode," and then click Yes. c. At the command prompt, type "exit" (without quotation marks), and then press ENTER. 2. On the Program tab, click Advanced. 3. Click the Specify A New MS-DOS Configuration option. 4. Enter the appropriate lines for the Config.sys file for MS-DOS mode in the Config.sys For MS-DOS Mode box. 5. Enter the appropriate lines for the Autoexec.bat file for MS-DOS mode in the Autoexec.bat For MS-DOS Mode box. 6. Click OK. 7. Click OK. If you "Specify a new MS-DOS configuration", then the specified Config.sys & Autoexec.bat files are processed & Dosstart.bat is not. If you "Use current MS-DOS configuration", the current Config.sys & Autoexec.bat files are processed, and then the commands in the Dosstart.bat file are run. ---------- Title: How to Install Old MS-DOS Tools in Windows 95 Document Number: Q147831 Publ Date: 01-MAR-1996 SUMMARY ======= Windows 95 includes most of the MS-DOS tools included with previous versions of Microsoft MS-DOS. This article describes how to install the other old MS-DOS tools that are not installed automatically by Windows 95. MORE INFORMATION ================ To install the other MS-DOS tools, follow these steps: 1. Insert the Windows 95 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. NOTE: If you have the floppy disk version of Windows 95, you can obtain the MS-DOS tools from online services. For information about obtaining the MS-DOS tools from an online service, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q135315 TITLE : CD-ROM Extras for Microsoft Windows 95 Upgrade 2. At a command prompt, switch to the CD-ROM drive and then change to the Other\Oldmsdos folder. 3. To install the MS-DOS tools in the default folders, type the following line and then press ENTER: instsupp.bat To install the MS-DOS tools to a different folder, type the following line and then press ENTER instsupp.bat where is the folder in which you want the tools installed. 4. Restart your computer. If you install to a folder other than the default folder, the Msbackup files are not copied and the Memmaker files are installed in the Windows\Command folder. You must move these files to the Windows folder manually. If you install to the default folders, the following files are installed in the Windows folder: Chkstate.sys Memmaker.exe Memmaker.inf Memmaker.hlp Sizer.exe If you install to the default folders, the following files are installed in the Windows\Command folder: Append.exe Qbasic.hlp Expand.exe Restore.exe Graphics.com Tree.com Graphics.pro Undelete.exe Help.com Loadfix.com Help.hlp Monoumb.386 Instsupp.bat Print.exe Interlnk.exe Qbasic.exe Intersvr.exe Replace.exe If you specify an installation folder other than the Windows folder, all the files listed above are installed in that folder except for the following files. These files must be copied manually: Msbackdb.ovl Msbackup.hlp Msbconfg.ovl Msbackup.exe Msbackup.ovl Msbackfr.ovl Msbconfg.hlp Msbackdr.ovl Msbackfb.ovl When you use the Instsupp.bat file to install the MS-DOS tools, the Setver table is updated to reflect the changes. However, the Setver table is not updated for Restore.exe. For additional information about this issue, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: ARTICLE-ID: Q138248 TITLE : Instsupp.bat File Does Not Install Restore.exe Properly ---------- End of Document. From: Jamal Mazrui <74444.1076@COMPUSERVE.COM> Subject: More from Microsoft Knowledge Base To: GUISPEAK@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU Content-Type: text I found one more article from the Microsoft Knowledge Base that is relevant to running screen readers and other accessibility aids in DOS sessions under Windows 95. Though this article does not mention these programs in particular, the disability field has found that its advice generally applies to such software. ---------- Knowledge Base Title: Text-Screen Enhancement Programs May Not Work Document Number: Q135177 Publ Date: 22-AUG-1995 Product Name: Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product Product Version: 95 Operating System: WINDOWS --------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows 95 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== Some text-screen enhancement drivers and terminate-and-stay-resident programs (TSRs) may run erratically or not at all in Windows 95. Results may include garbled text output or incorrect screen colors. Examples of such programs include shareware or third-party Ansi.sys replacements, and the High Screen (Affiche.com) TSR from PC-Soft. CAUSE ===== Some older text-screen enhancement drivers and TSRs may not be completely compatible with the improved text display performance in Windows 95. RESOLUTION ========== To work around this problem, follow these steps: 1. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the Config.sys file. 2. Add the following line to the Config.sys file: switches=/C If there is already a "switches=" line, add "/C" (without quotation marks) to the end of the line. 3. Save and then close the Config.sys file. 4. Restart your computer. The /C switch disables the Windows 95 text display optimization, allowing older drivers and TSRs to work correctly. KBCategory: kbdisplay KBSubcategory: posfest win95 Additional reference words: 95 COPYRIGHT Microsoft Corporation, 1995. .