DOS MODE for Windows 95 The most important option left out of Windows 95. (c) 1995 by Joseph Alex Martin About This Document: -------------------- This document is a summary of the information in the help file. See the Help file for more information. Version Notes: -------------- 1.0 First release version of DOS MODE. 1.1 GREATLY reduced the resident size of the DOS MODE KERNEL, DOS MODE is only 4k resident during the DOS MODE session. This down from 36k in version 1.0. 1.2 Made the DOS MODE KERNEL non memory resident. Removes the 4k resident during the DOS MODE session. 1.3 Adds an extra parameter, that allows for launching an alternative program, other than WIN.COM, suited for programs like Soft-ICE, which load Windows 95, with their own kernel. Soft-ICE is by Nu-Mega Technologies, Inc no endorsement of their product is intended by mention in this document, and they do not endorse the usage of this product. This addition was brought about by user feedback, and provided for those that wish this feature. Soft-ICE was the program that was mentioned to me by the requesters. I have not used that program. Removes the midnight loopback bug in the timer routine. In prior versions, if the timer would start just before midnight, and the timer was to end after midnight, it would reset the timer by 24 hours. Thereby causing the timer to not work properly. The timer was changed in this version to account for the clock going to zero at midnight. Program Files: -------------- WIN.EXE : The executable file. DOSMODE.TXT : The documentation file. DOSMODE.HLP : Windows Help file. Installation: ------------- Make a DOSMODE directory and place it at the begining of your path. Place all of the above files into this directory. Place SET DOSMODE={delay} in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. Place SET WINCMD={alternative command to WIN.COM} if you wish to load an alternative program for Windows 95. WIN.COM is the default so this is not required for most configurations. Place SET DOSCMD={program} if you wish to load a batch file, or other program when starting this dos session, like autoexec.bat is for DOS. Once the program is completed you will be returned to the DOS prompt. Unless, of course, the batch file has a reboot command included in it, as with the included WARMBOOT.EXE, and COLDBOOT.EXE programs. If you are using a multi-config config.sys which you want to set up so that one branch loads Windows 95 and the other goes into DOS MODE, setup the Windows 95 branch and place the DOS MODE command as follows as the last command in AUTOEXEC.BAT IF '%CONFIG%'=='DOSMODE' SET DOSMODE=0 This example assumes that DOSMODE is the section name for the DOS MODE multi-config, and runs DOSMODE 0 if you specify MS DOS MODE. If you decide to use DOS MODE without multi-config support, choose a timer value that gives enough time for a response, that will not be too excessive, I recommend 5 - 15 as a resonable timer length. For more information on multi-config, the windows help file has a complete guide to setting up multi-config. Syntax: ------- SET DOSMODE=delay Use a delay of a resonable length, I recommend 5-15 seconds, if at all possible. Using a delay of 0 will cause the counter to be skipped and DOS MODE to be initiated immediatly. Using a negative delay will cause Windows to load immediatly SET WINCMD=win.com (default) The command to be executed to start Windows 95. WIN.COM is not required this parameter is required only if you wish to use an alternative front-end for WIN.COM. SET DOSCMD={program} (no default) The program to be executed to start a DOS session. The default is none. This is added to allow the making of multi-configs, that load diffrent sets of TSRs, or run diffrent programs, from the startup menu. Returns to the DOS prompt following execution of the program. This parameter is not required. Purpose and Description: ------------------------ DOS MODE allows YOU to choose whether you want to run Windows, or a DOS session. DOS MODE provides a configurable time delay to allow you to stay in a DOS session, before loading Windows 95. Calling DOS MODE in the autoexec.bat file as the last command, will allow you to postpone the loading of Windows 95 while you work on what you want to work on. DOS MODE is designed for both power users as well as novices. DOS MODE is command line configurable. Changing the delay value is as simple as changing the DOSMODE line in the autoexec.bat. DOS MODE does not alter any Windows 95 files, it simply loads a copy of command.com into memory for the DOS session so that you can work in DOS before working going into Windows 95. Possible uses of DOS MODE: þ To find problem causing TSRs that are conflicting with Windows. þ To work in a DOS MODE program, without having to go into the GUI, then click on the programs icon, which will just take you back to DOS anyhow. þ To play MS-DOS games that won't run properly under Windows, or that haven't been ported over to Windows 95, yet. þ To make your computer, yours. þ To take back control over your CPU. It is my hope that the need for DOS MODE is only a temporary one, hopefully all software authors will make upgrading from DOS versions to Windows 95 versions of software affordable, and easy to do. However, with a lot of companies making the change to Windows 95 apps a slow process to accomplish DOS MODE may be a requirement for up to the next 6 months. The next 6 months are going to be the most crucial for computer users. DOS MODE is freeware. While I do not require payment for the use of this program, I would welcome your comments. E-mail jam237@psu.edu with your comments, or visit my personal homepage at http://www.io.com/~jam237/ to leave feedback, and to look in my software vault to see what is new. DOS MODE: The most important option left out of Windows 95. Version 1.3 (c) 1995 Joseph Alex Martin jam237@psu.edu http://www.io.com/~jam237/