Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!uflorida!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!sun13!prism!ms33 From: ms33@prism.gatech.EDU (Mike Sullivan, a.k.a. Sully) Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms Subject: Re: Simple (?) Windows 3.0 Questions (Help Please!) Message-ID: <14816@hydra.gatech.EDU> Date: 9 Oct 90 16:36:09 GMT References: <1990Oct8.185124.14940@odetics.com> Distribution: na Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Lines: 108 In article <1990Oct8.185124.14940@odetics.com> frank@odetics.UUCP (Frank Merrow) writes: Frank (and anyone else that would like to know), > >...but I still have some questions: > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >1. It is my understanding the Windows 3.0 will work on BOTH a 386 as well as >a 286. (I will be upgrading systems in about a year.) However, I will NOT >have full multi-tasking while on the 286. (True or False?) You will have multi-tasking of window programs. On a 286, a dos program will halt all window programs while running. (i.e. many window programs -OR- one DOS program.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >2. What else do I give up in 286 mode (if anything)? Reasonable speed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >3. If I wanted a SECOND license for my 386 (rather than just "taking" a >second copy) is there a "cheap solution" to getting a second license or do I >have to put the $150.00 down again? (Slipping on my pirate patch for just >a second, is the software copy protected in any way?) Good question. I don't think that there is a discount for a second license. You should be able to find a copy for around $100 though. And no, it is not copy-protected. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >4. For both versions (286 and 386) can I fully expect the following >applications to work under Windows (in a DOS window of course): >WordStar 2000, Lotus 2.0, Quicken, MKS Toolkit, Microsoft C and MASM, and >most games. What about a DOS program that does direct screen writes? (My >guess is they "work in 386", fail in 286 mode) Probably a similar answer >for a DOS program that uses graphics. Mace Utilities and Fastback are >probably NOT a good idea under windows and Xtree "it depends on what >you are doing". Comments? In 286 mode, you loose 64K to windows in Dos mode. You cannot have a DOS "window". On a 386 in enhanced mode (2Meg or more of ram) you loose about 4-6K of ram to windows. You cannot run a program that does graphics as a window, but you can still multi-task while it is in full screen mode (on a 386 of course). Xtree should work under windows. I don't believe Fastback (or any program that grabs the drive controller) will work though. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >5. How much disc space is needed (I am down to about 5 Megs on my system) >and will DOS 3.2 work or will I need 3.3. (Actually 3.3 would allow me >to get a second 8Meg partition out of my disc I have never been able to access >under 3.2.) I assume someone will post a correction to this answer: I THINK that Win3 takes about 4 Meg. I don't know if a 286 will need room for a swap-file or not (You would want at least 3-5Meg for a swap file if it does.) Either way, go to DOS 3.3, I've never complained about having 8Meg extra. (And heaven forbid that you use any public-domain programs, background pictures (.bmp), etc.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >6. I have a Mouse Systems Bus Mouse. Will that work (it is supposed to have >a Microsoft driver) or will I need a MS-mouse? It should work. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >7. I have heard there are problems with communications software running >under Windows. I have Mirror III a CrossTalk Clone. I will have to give >up this package or run only under DOS? Are there other communication >packages available? (I need D210 and VT100 Terminal Emulation as a >minimum, plus the usual protocols of course.) Yes, there are several terminal programs out for windows. I haven't found one that I like as much as PROCOMM (Yes, a die-hard fan of 2.4.1), but they are getting better on a daily basis. Terminal, comes with windows. WinQVT is an EXCELENT VT100 emulator (Vax users can run EDT without any problem and is shareware. And many people have been talking about WinComm (haven't tried it yet.) On a 386, you should be able to run Mirror III from a DOS window. I will warn you that I have a friend that has problems running Crosstalk from a dos window (it works, it just causes some confusion). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >8. Lan Packages & 9. 386 vs 386sx Don't know. Suggestions: If you wish to run windows and not sit still, I suggest getting a 386 25MHz with 4 Meg of Ram. 8 Meg wouldn't hurt. Windows is nice, I like it, but it REALLY taxes a machine. With a variety of programs, I could not tell the difference from a 286-12 and a 386-25, because all the wait was in the screen. That problem has been solved. I can see windows think on a 386-25, and would not want anything slower. Also, if you do not have more than 2Meg on your 286 -AND- you are not willing to get window programs, don't get it till you have a 386. If you don't get 2Meg or more memory in your 386, don't get it then either. $150 is cheap compared to the hardware you need to run it (at a decent speed). Hope this helps, Mike Sullivan One of many Michael P. Sullivans, my views are expressly my own, and are not endorsed by my boss, fellow workers, or any other Mike Sullivan. :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Internet: ms33@prism.gatech.edu | Ga.Tech, Atlanta Georgia, 30332