ΙΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ» Ί Ί Ί Micro Channel Above Board Software Compatibility Ί Ί Ί ΘΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΌ IBM 5.25" EXTERNAL FLOPPY Customers have reported that using IBMCACHE and EMM.SYS together in a Model 60 caused the IBM external floppy controller to fail when the IBMCACHE size was less than 512K bytes. ALWAYS Customer reports of compatibility. Tech Notes: Some customers have reported that Always won't load if the Above Board is providing expanded memory unless EXPF=D000 is on the EMM.SYS device driver line, (even though there is no conflict between EMM.SYS and other drivers/ROMs). Other customers don't seem to have this problem. CAD CORE Intel has a Customer's report that CAD CORE by Hitachi created by IGS (Information Graphics Systems) gets an error: "Cannot run Rational DOS/16M memory check." when running the CAD Core Installation program with an Above Board 2 Plus installed, (Rational is a brand name and DOS/16M is their memory manager). The Customer's Solution: Install the files manually - don't use the installation program provided with the software. Once CAD Core was installed there were no additional problems. DESQVIEW DESQview provides full hardware support for optimum multitasking performance with EMS 4.0. DESQview can cause floppy drive problems in IBM PS/2 series computers. If you experience problems with your floppy drives, set the Optimize Communications parameter to OFF in the DESQview Options. This problem isn't related to Above Boards, but the problem becomes more obvious when you use expanded memory products. When you invoke DESQview, it takes control of expanded memory, and when you exit DESQview, it returns expanded memory control to EMM. IBM 3270 WORKSTATION The IBM 3270 workstation program can't use Above Board memory. IBM provides an EMS 3.2 driver with the program, but this driver only works with an IBM XMA board. LOTUS 123 & SYMPHONY KEYBOARD ERRORS Earlier versions of the Above Board QUIKBUF program (versions earlier than 2.1A), may cause random keyboard errors (such as characters appearing in empty cells or shifting to capital letters) in 1-2-3 and Symphony. If this happens, remove QUIKBUF from the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Then contact Intel's customer support BBS to get the current version of QUIKBUF. LOTUS 123 VER 3.0 This document explains how to structure files for minimum memory use and how to regain memory. This information comes from the Memory Management appendix in Lotus 1-2-3 Release 3.0 documentation. The minimum memory requirement for Release 3.0 is 640K bytes of conventional memory and 384K bytes of extended memory. The suggested memory amounts are 640K bytes conventional, and at 1M byte of extended (the more the better). If you have programs which use expanded memory, set aside enough for those applications (1MB is usually sufficient). Make sure the extended memory isn't allocated to other programs like disk caches. If you're unsure, check the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. Because most DOS applications use extended, not expanded, memory, configure as much expanded as needed for these applications. When configured for both kinds of memory, the 1-2-3 program is stored in extended and data is stored in expanded. When expanded is full, 1-2-3 places any additional data in extended. If you have an 80386- based computer with an Expanded Memory Emulation Program, such as ILIM386 or QEMM386, you should convert as much extended memory as possible to expanded. 1-2-3 can access only the memory that the emulation program converts to expanded. 1-2-3 won't be able to use any extended memory after the emulation program has loaded. You usually set the amount of memory to be converted with a statement in your CONFIG.SYS file. Check your documentation for your driver to change it. NOTE: 1-2-3 works with only EMS Emulators that support the Virtual Control Program Interface (VCPI). Among those that support VCPI are 386 MAX version 4.07 or later, Quarterdeck Expanded Memory Manager (QEMM) version 4.2 or later, and COMPAQ Expanded Memory Manager (CEMM). LOTUS 123 VER 2.X & SYMPHONY MEMORY USAGE Lotus 1-2-3 versions earlier than 3.0 and Symphony use four bytes of conventional memory as a pointer to every cell that is stored in expanded memory. Once conventional memory is full, there is no room to store pointers, so no more expanded memory can be used. 1-2-3 and Symphony always store integers, range names, and string constants in conventional memory. They store real numbers, labels, and formulas in expanded memory. You can't save conventional memory by changing data types. It's possible to have a large, full spreadsheet that uses no expanded memory. It's also possible to have many complex formulas or long labels that fill expanded memory while conventional memory is still available. To get more conventional memory, you must remove any memory resident programs you've loaded. You can check expanded memory amounts as follows: 1-2-3 command: /Worksheet Status Symphony command: F9 Settings LOTUS 123 VER 2.2 This version of Lotus was released in conjuction with 3.0 and was intended for 8088/8086-based computer that can't run protected mode software. It takes slightly more memory than Release 2.01, but uses EMS memory in exactly the same manner (see 123 & expanded memory cell), with only one notable exception. Lotus 2.2 comes with an UNDO feature, previously available only through an add-in like HAL. UNDO is enabled by default and the UNDO buffers use EMS. The default size is approximately 260k. The /WS (/-WORKSHEET-STATUS) immediately after starting Lotus will show a certain percentage of EMS already allocated to the UNDO feature. To turn off UNDO, use the command, /WGDOUD (/-WORKSHEET-GLOBAL- DEFAULT-OTHER-UNDO-DISABLE). This will free up the EMS memory that UNDO was using. NOTE: You may find that you could load a larger spreadsheet with 2.01 than with 2.2, even with UNDO disabled. It's because 2.2 is a larger program than 2.01. (Field report) Users report the Quikbuf 2.1A menu didn't work with 123 2.2 on an IBM PS/2 Model 50, but Quikbuf 2 did. LOTUS 123 3.0 ONLY SEES 15 MEG OF MEMORY Some applications will only see 15 Meg of memory no matter how much is installed. Lotus 1-2-3 3.0 is one of them. MICROSOFT EXCEL Microsoft Excel is fully compatible with Intel's EMM and all Above Boards. Excel runs faster with an Intel Math CoProcessor. Excel for OS/2 works fine with the Above Board MC32 or the Above Board MC. MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2.0 This program is compatible with Intel's EMM and Above Boards. It provides full hardware support for optimum multitasking performance with EMS 4.0. Tech Notes: Customers report that Quikbuf2 won't work with Windows 2.0 even if the Windows 2.0 print spooler is disabled. MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2.03 Windows doesn't work with the /E parameter in the SWAPDISK= line of the WIN.INI file. This is a problem with Windows. Even though the Windows manual says to use this parameter, remove it and use either the hard disk or a RAM disk drive letter as the SWAPDISK. Also designate a SWAPSIZE= on the next line (for example SWAPSIZE=1024 or SWAPSIZE=2048). MICROSOFT WINDOWS 386 & EXPANDED MEMORY The EMS 4.0 specification states the page frame must have at least 4 pages. Windows 386 will create expanded memory even if there are less than 4 page frames available. In this situation, WIN386 will show expanded memory is present and it will use it. Some programs, such as Intel's CHKMEM, will also report expanded memory. However, applications will not recognize or use the expanded memory. (PageMaker, VEDEMO, Lotus 123, Quattro, Excel, etc.) Check for boards that might cause a page frame confict (network cards, scanner cards, VGA cards, etc.). If a problem persists, add the following statement to the WIN.INI file: EMMINCLUDE=XXXX-YYYY where XXXX is the starting address of the first page frame and YYYY is the ending address of the last page frame. Legal addresses are between C000 and DFFF. Example: EMMINCLUDE=D000-DFFF MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.0 Microsoft Windows 3.0 is compatible with Above Boards. The optimum configuration varies depending on the computer. Here are Intel's recommendations. In a 386-based computer, set your Above Board for all extended memory. This allows Windows to run in 386 Enhanced mode. You can install Microsoft's EMM386.SYS to provide expanded memory for your applications that need expanded memory but don't run under Windows. In a 286-based computer, set your Above Board for all extended memory unless you have programs that require expanded memory. In these cases, set the Above Board to provide as much extended memory as possible while allowing enough expanded memory for your programs. This allows Windows to run in Standard mode. A minimum of 384K of extended memory is required. Be sure EMM.SYS is BEFORE HIMEM.SYS in the CONFIG.SYS. NOTE: Microsoft's HIMEM.SYS "hides" all extended memory. CHKMEM will report 0K extended memory when HIMEM is installed. MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.1 Compatible with the Above Board 2 Plus and MC. We have not tested with the Above Board 2 or the MC32, but do not foresee any difficulties. Generally Above Boards need to be set for Extended memory for Windows 3.1. RUNTIME WINDOWS & ILIM386 4.07, (SYSTEM LOCKS) Runtime versions of Windows are NOT memory managers, and are compatible with 386 control programs. At this time, ILIM386 v2.66 is compatible with Runtime Windows but ILIM386 version 4.07 (dated 6/89) is NOT compatible with some versions of Windows and Runtime Windows. Windows will start to load then lock up. iLIM386 is shipped with the Above Board MC32. MICROSOFT WORD 5.0 This software is compatible with microchannel Above Boards. Tech Notes: Microsoft Word version 5.0 uses EMS 3.2 and 4.0 to load large files and perform searches and other functions faster. MOVE EM / QUALITAS Customer reports of compatibility. Tech Notes: One user reports that Move Em requires a page frame larger than 64k and can utilize non-contiguous pages. QEMM 50/60 QEMM 50/60 works only in PS/2 Models 50, 60, and 50Z. QEMM 50/60 works like QEMM386; you can load drivers and TSRs high, emulate expanded memory from extended memory, etc. Version 6.X of this memory manager is compatible with the Above Board 2, 2 Plus, and MC. Versions older than 6.X are only compatible with the Above Board 2 (NOT the Above Board 2 Plus or MC). Older versions of QEMM 50/60 worked with our Above Board 2 because QEMM 50/60 looked for specific memory cards in order to do what it does, and it hadn't been written to "look" for an Above Board MC or Above Board 2 Plus. Troubleshooting Note: When an Above Board 2 Plus is installed for all extended memory with our current software, the EMM.SYS driver is installed into the computer's CONFIG.SYS file. The EMM.SYS driver is used to initialize the Above Board 2 Plus, then it will unload itself. Apparently the QEMM 50/60 OPTIMIZE program looks for expanded memory managers, and gives the error "Missing file: QRAM.SYS" when EMM.SYS is active. When EMM.SYS is removed from the file, QEMM 50/60 doesn't have enough memory (in a 1 Mbyte PS/2 computer) to load on boot. The most straightforward resolution to this is: ώ With revision 2.0 of the Intel SOFTSET program, select OS/2 as the operating system, (this will install an initializing Adapter Descriptor File on track zero of the hard disk). ώ Run QEMM 50/60's OPTIMIZE program. ώ When the OPTIMIZE process is complete, you can either leave the IADF on track zero of your hard drive, or can go back into SOFTSET and select DOS as the operating system (this will remove the IADF from track zero, and also reinstall the EMM.SYS driver into your CONFIG.SYS file). The only drawback to putting EMM.SYS back into your CONFIG.SYS file is that it will need to be removed if you need to run OPTIMIZE again sometime in the future. QRAM This is a "memory enhancer" from Quarterdeck. The manual erroneously suggests users get an upgrade for an Above Board Plus. You actualy need the upgrade only for the Above Board 286. The Above Board Plus and Above Board 2 Plus have always had the ability to use a page frame larger than 64k. QRAM will use extra EMS pages to load-high drivers & TSR's which would otherwise use conventional memory. QRAM normaly cannot function unless the page frame is in excess of a 64k. There is a parameter that allows QRAM to use parts of the page frame itself, but this prevents all other programs from accessing expanded memory. Use the MANIFEST program that came with QRAM or your reference diskette to determine the largest page frame you can have in your system. If you have problems with an EMS application, remove QRAM to see if the problem persists. SUPER PROJECT EXPERT We have customer reports of compatibility with Super Project Expert (from Computer Associates) and microchannel Above Boards. Tech Notes: One customer said Super Project Expert wouldn't load correctly with expanded memory until the user added the EXPF=D000 parameter to the EMM.SYS command line in the CONFIG.SYS file. VEM.SYS VEM.SYS is the device driver for the Above Disk program. If you try to use EMM with VEM.SYS, EMM will appear to install, but no expanded memory will be recognized (the CHKMEM program will report 0K bytes expanded memory). Remove the VEM.SYS line from the CONFIG.SYS file. ΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝΝ End of file Intel FaxBack # 1552 September 25,1992