Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!cica!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!mcdphx!mcdchg!ddsw1!ddsw1!vpnet!kji From: kji@vpnet.UUCP (Ken Isacson) Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc Subject: 4DOS Experiences Keywords: 4DOS, DOS,COMMAND.COM Message-ID: <25a2a492:3707.1comp.sys.ibm.pc;1@vpnet.UUCP> Date: 4 Jan 90 04:00:07 GMT References: Lines: 35 Well here are my thoughts on 4DOS, please let me know what you all think, because if there is a way to imporove these problems, I will switch over to 4DOS. I was using the latest version of 4DOS, I think 2.21 or something like that, and 3.10 of MS-DOS. The first problem was in the speed. My boot up procedure, running config.sys and autoexec.bat to the dos prompt, took 20 seconds with MS-DOS and 27 seconds with 4DOS. So, most of the normal dos functions will most likely be running a little slower and file location on the hard drive will most likely be a little slower. Second was memory. I have an 80286 AT with 512k plue 1.6meg of Expanded memory. With MS-DOS I had 351k with my TSRs loaded and 433k without my TSRs loaded (just device drivers and MS-DOS.) With 4DOS I had 352k left with my TSRs loaded as well as EMS swapping enabled, and 380k left without EMS swapping and no TSRs loaded. Conclusion : 4DOS is a memory hog compared to MS-DOS, but is equal in memory comsumption to MS-DOS if you enable the EMS swapping which is an extra strain on the system, not much, but it must be noted. The third problem that I noticed was in a program that I use to manage my TSRs called ResPRO (Resident Program Manager). When activated by a hot-key, it shows you some neat stats on the TSRs like their name, address, and size. You can even individually activate and deactivate the TSRs (something I use a lot). With 4DOS, all the names of the TSRs were set to 'RESPRO', so the only way one could tell what was what was by remembering memory sizes. What confusion! So, those are my notes, if any one has any tips on how to reduce the amount of memory the 4DOS uses, besides the reduction of the HISTORY buffers and such, as well as any tips on how to increase its speed, please let me know. Ken Isacson Sysop : The Board of Trade BBS 815-753-0042 GT 016/001