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From: bchin@is-next.umd.edu (Bill Chin)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms
Subject: Re: General Question Concerning Win3
Message-ID: <8047@umd5.umd.edu>
Date: 16 Feb 91 18:16:26 GMT
References: <37140004@hpopd.pwd.hp.com>
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Originator: bchin@is-next.umd.edu

>/ hpopd:comp.windows.ms / MJLEPPER@MTUS5.BITNET /  6:03 am  Feb 10, 1991 /
>
>>2) I've experimented with various configurations of HIMEM.SYS and SMARTDRV.SYS
>>   and have found that I get the most memory available, and the best perform-
>>   ance if I have HIMEM installed, w/o SMARTDRV.  If I get more memory (2.5 or
>>   4 Meg ), should I enable the cache?

>I definitely recommend using SMARTDRV. Just in case you're worried about
>"dedicating" memory to disk-caching, SMARTDRV will actually surrender memory to
>Windows if Windows is running low.

SMARTDRIVE won't release memory while Windows is running... The second
parameter to the SMARTDRIVE config.sys line controls how much memory
SMARTDRIVE allocates when Windows executes.  I believe the shareware
program HYPERDISK also supports this.  If you've only got 2mb of RAM,
then I've found that Windows needs the memory much more than the
disk cache.  So at 2mb of below, don't run SMARTDRIVE (be sure
to up your BUFFERS to around 30).  

>>3 ) Switching between DOS apps and Windows is painfully slow, would this be
>>    inproved with more RAM, or more free disk space ( I only have 5 Meg free
>>    on the HD )

>Enhanced mode is MUCH better at switching than is Standard mode, ie. buy a 386.

When switching in standard mode, Windows takes an image of your DOS session
(~640k) and writes it to a temporary file.  Adding additional XMS memory
won't help in standard mode DOS app switching.  You may try pointing
the TEMP environment variable to a RAM drive if you've got the extra RAM.
Or a *really* fast HD.  Get a 386(IMHO).  386SX motherboards are ~$425 and
386 motherboards are ~$600. 

More memory *will* help Windows apps like WfW or Excel.
--
 Bill Chin                           internet: bchin@is-next.umd.edu
 MS-Windows Programmer                   NeXT: bchin@sinai.umd.edu 
 Applied Imaging Lab        
 University of Maryland, College Park
*Standard Disclaimers Apply*
-- 
 Bill Chin                           internet: bchin@is-next.umd.edu
 MS-Windows Programmer                   NeXT: bchin@sinai.umd.edu 
 Applied Imaging Lab        
 University of Maryland, College Park