PC Magazine Labs Benchmarks Release 5.6 - Execution Instructions ---------------------------------------------------------------- STARTING THE BENCH.EXE PROGRAM ------------------------------ To run the main benchmarks program: . make the directory containing the benchmark programs the current directory. . type "BENCH" (without the quotes). You may use the following command line parameters: GO bypasses the initial logo screens. AUTO starts the benchmarks in automatic mode. The processor tests will cycle through one at a time. This option uses the BENCH.KEY file. NOTE: A reboot is required to end AUTO mode. LCD Uses black and white attributes. Use for forcing better display legibility on laptop computers. For example, "BENCH GO" will execute the benchmark program and bypass the initial logo. MENU OPERATIONS FILE MENU --------- The "Save results" selection allows you to save the test results in a file on your disk. You will have the ability to change the machine description (See SET MENU) and the name of the file. The file will be saved in the current directory and will overwrite an old file with the same name. Be sure not to use the same file name when running the MicroScope utility. The "Save results to .CSV" selection is similar to the "Save results" selection except that the data is stored in comma delimited format for importing into a database or spreadsheet program. A machine id is requested and will appear in each record so that the records for individual machines can be located if they are loaded into a combined database file. The "About" selection tells about the benchmark program. The people involved with the project over the years as well as the languages and tools used to create the programs are listed. The "Quit" selection terminates the benchmark program. VIEW MENU --------- The "Results" selection allows you to browse through the test results on the screen. The format is the same as the results file. You can scroll up and down using the arrow, PgUp, PgDn, Home, and End keys. Use the Esc key to return to the main menu. The "System Info" selection executes MicroScope - PC Labs' System Information Utility. You have the ability to enter a file name for MacroScope to save the description of the current configuration of your machine. Be careful not to use the same file name you for saving the results to disk. PERFORMANCE MENU ---------------- The selections on this menu measure the performance capabilities of your machine. These are the indicators of the raw power of your machine. The "Processor..." selection activates the Processor Performance Tests submenu. The following tests are available: Instruction Mix 80486 Instruction Mix 128K NOP Loop Do-nothing Loop Integer Add Integer Multiply String Sort and Move Prime Number Sieve Floating Point Mix Use the space bar to "check-off" the tests you wish to run and hit the Enter key. To abort hit the Esc key. Each of your chosen tests will be run and the results displayed. The "Coprocessor" selection runs the math coprocessor test. The results are displayed at the completion of the test. The "Disk..." selection activates the Disk Performance Tests submenu. The following tests are available: BIOS Disk Seek DOS Disk Access DOS File Access DOS Varible Size File Access The "Video..." selection activates the Video Performance Tests submenu. The following tests are available: Direct Screen Access Teletype Without Scrolling Teletype With Scrolling The "Memory..." selection activates the Memory Performance Tests submenu. The following tests are available: Conventional Read Conventional Write Expanded Read Expanded Write BIOS Extended Read BIOS Extended Write The "Battery Rundown" selection executes the Battery Rundown Test. This test will drain the battery in a laptop machine by executing code in a loop and writing files at regular intervals. After the battery is completely drained, the result of this test can be found in the files RUNDOWN.001, RUNDOWN.002, and RUNDOWN.003. The longest duration noted in these files is the result. COMPATIBILITY MENU ------------------ The selections on this menu test the compatibility of a piece of hardware against a published specification. At this time there is only one choice on this menu. The "VGA Hardware" selection is only valid if you have a VGA graphics device. It tests your VGA adapter against the IBM standard. Any deviations from the standard do not necessarily indicate a defective or unusable board. Many application programs do not use all the available features and may also contain code to correct for deficiencies in your particular device. QUALITY MENU ------------ The selections on this menu represent tests which must be interpreted by the individual user. At this time there is only one choice on this menu. The "EGA/VGA Monitor" selection allows you to display various test patterns on your EGA or VGA Monitor using different display modes. The results will depend on your tastes with respect to size of characters, text readability, brightness, and contract as well as color perception. SET MENU -------- The "Enter info..." selection allows you to enter a name for the machine being tested. Up to 25 characters are available. The name you enter will appear on results screens as well as in the results file. HELP MENU --------- The "Help" selection presents a menu of help topics. Select the topic to view and hit the Enter key. Hit the Enter key again to return to the menu. The "Timer accuracy" selection allows you to test the accuracy of the internal system timer. By comparing the internal timer to an external time base, such as a stop watch, you can see if the results derived by the tests are valid for your machine. A correction factor is displayed to allow you to adjust for any inaccuracies in your timer.