Qemm 7.0 Causes SWITCHES Prompt to Appear During Startup (103386)

SYMPTOMS

If you are running MS-DOS version 6.0 or 6.2 and you perform an interactive boot (by pressing F8 at the "Starting MS-DOS" prompt) with Qemm 7.0 installed, you receive the following prompt before the usual "PROCESS AUTOEXEC.BAT [Y/N]" prompt is displayed:

SWITCHES /N /F [Y/N]

If you are running MS-DOS 6.2 and you choose Y, the AUTOEXEC.BAT file is processed, but you are not given the option to step through it line by line.

This is a valid variable option for the CONFIG.SYS file. This prompt appears regardless of whether the SWITCHES option is currently in the CONFIG.SYS file.

NOTE: In the CONFIG.SYS file, the /N switch normally prevents you from using the F5 and F8 keyboard options. The /F switch normally skips the two-second delay after the "Starting MS-DOS" message is displayed.

CAUSE

The SWITCHES /N /F [Y/N] prompt appears as a result of the Qemm LOADHI.COM command being added to the Shell= statement in the CONFIG.SYS file. If you press F5, the system responds normally. However, if you press F8, the system responds with the SWITCHES prompt. Regardless of your choice, the AUTOEXEC.BAT file is processed. Neither option affects the two-second delay after the "Starting MS-DOS" message appears.

RESOLUTION

Remove the Qemm LOADHI.COM reference from the Shell= line. For example:

   shell=c:\qemm loadhi.com /r:2 c:\dos\command.com c:\dos\ /p

This allows for the correct response to the question "PROCESS AUTOEXEC.BAT [Y/N]"; however, the SWITCHES /N /F [Y/N] question still appears. To remove the SWITCHES prompt, the Qemm device driver DOSUP.SYS needs to be removed. This is the Qemm driver that loads MS-DOS high.

Example: (Device=c:\Qemm\dosup.sys)

MORE INFORMATION

Qemm is manufactured by Quarterdeck Office Systems, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise regarding this product's performance or reliability.