DOS 5 and Quarterdeck Products

Quarterdeck Technical Note #200                       Filename: DOS5.TEC
by Quarterdeck Testing & Compatibility              CompuServe: DOS5.ZIP
Last revised:  6/28/93                                Category: SW3

Subject: The use of DOS 5.0 with all Quarterdeck products.

The shipping versions of all Quarterdeck products are compatible with IBM and Microsoft DOS 5.

DOS 5 contains a number of enhancements over previous versions. Among the most notable features is more advanced memory management--specifically, the ability to create and use regions of upper memory above 640K. These regions can be used for loading resident programs, drivers, and parts of DOS itself.

In many ways the facilities for managing memory that are built into DOS 5 are similar to those first made available to users of DOS 2.x through 4.x with the release of QEMM version 4.1 in the spring of 1988. QEMM, now at version 7.0, has evolved considerably from that original product, incorporating improvements with each new version. These improvements have progressively resulted in more available memory for the user, higher reliability and enhanced ease of use. Quarterdeck also makes some of this technology available to users of 8088 and 80286 computers with EMS 4 or Shadow RAM through its QRAM and QEMM-50/60 products (which the memory management of Microsoft and IBM DOS 5 does not).

While the memory management features of DOS 5 represent an advance for DOS, Quarterdeck's memory managers still provide significant advantages for DOS 5 users. The differences between the current release of Quarterdeck memory managers and those built into DOS 5 are as follows:

The combined size of DOS 5's memory managers (HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.SYS) is 8 to 10K. QEMM provides the facilities of both these drivers in less than 1K!
QEMM typically provides 96K MORE High RAM by default than the DOS 5 memory managers on non-PS/2 systems, and 128K MORE by default on PS/2 systems. The DOS 5 memory manager allows these areas to be included manually, but this requires some expertise.
QEMM's Squeeze technology allows larger resident programs to be loaded by allowing them to squeeze--temporarily--into the EMS page frame or areas used by Adapters when loading. The DOS 5 memory managers do not provide a similar feature.
Using its Stealth option, QEMM can provide EVEN MORE high RAM (211k total is common) by hiding machine ROMs and allowing High RAM to be mapped over them. Neither DOS 5's memory managers nor any other third-party memory manager currently provides this patent-pending technology.
DOS 5 has no equivalent to Quarterdeck's Manifest program. Manifest is a memory analysis program included free with QEMM, QEMM-50/60, QRAM, DESQview, and DESQview 386. It provides extensive information about the computer on which it is running and is an invaluable tool when optimizing a system or diagnosing a memory problem or conflict.
The DOS 5 memory manager provides no program to automatically and OPTIMALLY load TSR's and device drivers into the regions of upper memory. Novice users may experience considerable difficulty achieving good results from the DOS 5 LOADHIGH program, but even advanced users will appreciate the speed and accuracy with which OPTIMIZE sets up a system.
The DOS 5 memory manager provides no Analysis feature. QEMM's Analysis is extremely useful in determining areas of upper memory that can safely be used. Analysis also lets QEMM users reclaim unused addresses in the system ROM and in other areas in upper memory--a great advantage to memory-hungry users.
The DOS 5 memory manager cannot map ROMs into faster RAM. QEMM provides this option which can result in substantially better performance, especially where screen update speed is important.
The DOS 5 memory managers have no option to sort memory. On machines where some sections of memory run slower than other sections, QEMM can sort the memory so that the fastest memory is used first.
The DOS 5 memory manager cannot manage ShadowRAM or Top Memory, a feature QEMM users on limited-memory systems depend heavily upon. Many 1MB systems turn 384K of the first megabyte of memory into ShadowRAM or Top Memory. This memory is unavailable when using the DOS 5 memory managers.
Microsoft Windows 3.x Standard mode won't run under the DOS 5 memory manager when the memory manager is active (in virtual 8086 mode), for example when using a disk cache. QEMM is the only currently shipping memory manager that can run Windows 3.x in all modes whether or not QEMM is active.
The DOS 5 memory manager provides no control over the region of High RAM that can be used to load programs high. This means that even expert users may be unable to use High RAM efficiently in situations where TSR's and drivers must be loaded in a specific order. The Quarterdeck LOADHI programs allow TSR's or drivers to be directed to specific high memory locations, giving complete control to the user. Of course, as mentioned before, this feature is used expertly by the OPTIMIZE program in order to provide the optimum configuration.
On PS/2s and other microchannel systems, QEMM can automatically detect the addresses used by any adapter listed in our MCA.ADL file. This is especially valuable on systems with adapter RAM (used by many network cards, among other adapters). Adapter RAM can be particularly hard for 386 memory managers to detect. The DOS 5 memory manager has no such feature. As the addresses used by network cards vary from machine to machine and card to card, QEMM's MCA.ADL file can save considerable work for network administrators in companies with large installations of PS/2s or micro channel compatibles on networks. Users of PS/2 machines that are not on a network will also benefit from this "ease of use" feature.
DOS 5 has no equivalent for the VIDRAM utility that allows users to extend conventional memory on EGA/VGA systems when running programs that are not using EGA/VGA graphics.
The DOS 5 memory manager is less flexible for configuring expanded (EMS) memory. Many DOS programs support EMS memory; others use XMS. To have both types of memory, the DOS memory manager requires you to divide extended memory, part as EMS, part as XMS. To change the amounts available you must edit your CONFIG.SYS file and reboot. QEMM allows EMS and XMS to "share" extended memory. With QEMM, applications can use up to the maximum amount of memory available as EMS, XMS, or a combination of the two without editing configuration files or rebooting the system.
DOS 5.0 provides no software for managing Upper Memory Blocks (UMBs) on 8088 or 80286 machines with EMS 4.0 or shadow RAM. Quarterdeck's QRAM and QEMM-50/60 allow users with these machines to use "LOADHI" technology to move TSR's and device drivers out of conventional memory.
QEMM is required for full support of Quarterdeck's DESQview. While DESQview can run with the DOS 5 memory managers, as it can with other EMS drivers, only by using QEMM can you get the special features of DESQview that provide for memory protection and the multi-tasking of "ill-behaved" DOS programs. In addition, QEMM moves more of DESQview's data out of conventional memory, resulting in larger DV windows.
QEMM now supports the Suspend and Resume features of some portables and noebook computers that these computers use to minimize battery drain.

UPGRADING -- THE EASY PATH

INSTALLING DOS 5 OVER A QEMM SYSTEM:

If you are installing DOS 5 on a system that already has QEMM installed, simply leave the Quarterdeck memory managers in place and run the DOS SETUP program. SETUP will detect that a compatible memory manager is installed and will not replace it. SETUP typically makes two or three changes to your CONFIG.SYS file. First, it places a "DEVICE=SETVER.EXE" statement at the beginning of your CONFIG.SYS file (before the QEMM device line.) You may want to move this line below QEMM so that Optimize will load it into upper memory. Second, it puts the line "DOS=HIGH" at the end of the CONFIG.SYS. Third, it puts a "SHELL=COMMAND.COM" statement in the CONFIG.SYS if you do not already have one.

Once you have installed the DOS 5 upgrade, switch to your QEMM directory and run the OPTIMIZE program. Since the installation of DOS 5 will change your memory configuration, running Optimize will take care of any rearrangement of programs in upper memory that is necessary, giving you the most conventional memory possible.

If you are running DESQview, you should Optimize with the /STEALTH option, even though Optimize may not suggest it automatically. DESQview can take advantage of the extra memory provided by Stealth ROM.

Also, in most cases, DESQview users car run larger programs memory in their DOS windows by removing the "DOS=HIGH" from the CONFIG.SYS file. This allows DESQview to use the High Memory Area (HMA) that DOS would otherwise use. DESQview is more efficient at using the HMA than DOS, so giving DESQview the HMA usually results in more memory in your DESQview window. The only way to be sure which is better is to try it both ways (running Optimize and then running DESQview's Memory Status program with each configuration) to determine which provides the most memory.

INSTALLING QEMM OVER A DOS 5 SYSTEM:

If you are installing QEMM onto a system that already has DOS 5, simply put the distribution disk in your floppy drive and run the INSTALL program. The INSTALL routines are fully aware of DOS 5 and will automatically run the Optimize program to configure the system optimally. There is no need to do any "pre-configuration" to the system or to remove any of the DOS 5 memory management utilities. If the Stealth ROM feature is needed to get your resident programs loaded into upper memory, Stealth ROM will be offered automatically by the Optimize program.

As suggested above, if you are running DESQview you can force the Stealth ROM feature by running OPTIMIZE /STEALTH, since DESQview can use the extra memory provided by Stealth ROM.

MICROSOFT WINDOWS 3.x IN ENHANCED MODE:

If you will be running Microsoft Windows in Enhanced mode and plan to use the DOS=HIGH parameter, you cannot use QEMM's "EXT=" or "MEM=" parameters. When these parameters are used, Windows cannot properly take over management of the High Memory Area and will fail to start in Enhanced mode. These parameters do not affect operation in Real or Standard modes, as QEMM remains in control of memory when those modes are used. Further information concerning Windows 3.x and Quarterdeck products can be found in our technotes specific to Windows.

COMPATIBILITY WITH EARLIER SOFTWARE

The following are specific compatibility issues related to earlier versions of Quarterdeck software and the use of DOS 5.

If you use DOS 5's DOSKEY utility and run DESQview:
You need DESQview 2.34 or later. (Otherwise the DOSKEY utility will conflict with DESQview's DOS Services program if loaded before DESQview.) To use DOSKEY in a DESQview DOS window, modify the "Program" line of the program information file using "Change a Program" to load "DOSKEY" and configure the "Parameters" line with "/REINSTALL" so that each DOS window will have its own, unique set of stacked commands.
To run Microsoft WINDOWS 3.x in Standard Mode inside DESQview:
You need DESQview 2.34 or later. Earlier versions of DESQview run Windows unreliably in Standard mode when DOS 5 is present. There is no problem running Windows Real mode if you have MS Windows 3.0. (Real mode was discontinued with 3.1.)
If you run DOS 5's DOSSHELL program:
The DOSSHELL program works fine with Quarterdeck's memory management software. It is also possible to start DESQview from the shell; however, you cannot task switch away from versions of DESQview prior to 2.34 or the system will hang. DESQview versions 2.34 and later prevent this problem. It is presumed that most individuals who use more advanced DOS environments (such as DESQview or Windows) will not be using DOSSHELL.
If you run DESQview and use SETVER.EXE:
SETVER does not take effect when run inside DESQview 2.33 or earlier. A list of the programs that require SETVER is available by typing "SETVER" at the DOS prompt. If you have programs requiring SETVER and want to run them in DESQview, you should contact Customer Service for information about upgrading to the current shipping version.
If you run DESQview and get the message "PACKED FILE IS CORRUPT" when you open a window:
The EXEPACK utility that came with versions of DOS prior to 5 contained a bug that resulted in this error message being displayed when a packed .EXE file was executed in the first 64K of conventional memory. DOS 5 patches the files in memory so that they can be successfully unpacked and executed. However, since DESQview takes over much of the program-loading process from DOS, this patch does not take effect in DESQview versions prior to 2.34. Again, upgrading your version of DESQview will take care of this problem.