README.TXT: Microsoft MS-DOS 6.21 Upgrade (Part 2 of 3) (113642)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21

This article was previously published under Q113642

SUMMARY

The following information was taken from the MS-DOS 6.21 Upgrade README.TXT file.

MORE INFORMATION

2. MEMMAKER AND MEMORY MANAGEMENT

2.1 Intel Expanded-Memory Driver (EMM.SYS)

If you use Intel's EMM.SYS driver with Aboveboard, use EMM.SYS version 4.0 revision E if you an ISA system, or EMM.SYS version 4.0 revision D if you have an MCA or other system. Contact Intel for a free upgrade.

2.2 Running MemMaker on a Computer with PC-NFS

If you use PC-NFS network software, carry out the following procedure before you run MemMaker:

  1. Open your MEMMAKER.INF file by using any text editor. This file is in the directory that contains your MS-DOS files.
  2. Add the following line to the file:

    *NET

  3. Save the file, and then run MemMaker.

2.3 You have a Super VGA display and want to conserve memory.

If you use Microsoft Windows on an 80386 computer with extended memory and a Super VGA display, you can use the MONOUMB.386 file, in conjunction with MemMaker, to conserve conventional memory for running programs.

To conserve memory if you have a Super VGA display:

  1. Open your Windows SYSTEM.INI file, and find the [386Enh] section.
  2. Add a DEVICE command for the MONOUMB.386 file, which is located in your MS-DOS directory. For example, if your MS-DOS files are in C:\DOS, add the following line to this section:

    DEVICE=C:\DOS\MONOUMB.386

  3. Save the file, and restart your computer.
  4. After your computer starts, run MemMaker by typing MEMMAKER at the command prompt.
  5. Choose Custom Setup. On the Advanced Options screen, answer Yes to the question "Use monochrome region (B000-B7FF) for running programs?"

    Follow the instructions on your screen.

2.4 Using MemMaker with IBM LAN

Before you run MemMaker, you might need to make adjustments to the parameters specified for your IBM LAN support driver, DXMC0MOD.SYS. In your CONFIG.SYS file, make sure that the DEVICE command that loads DXMC0MOD.SYS includes one of the following before you run MemMaker:

  • The first three parameters, as in the following example:
      DEVICE=C:\DXMC0MOD.SYS 400000000001,D800,1
    						
  • No parameters, as in the following example:
      DEVICE=C:\DXMC0MOD.SYS
    						
  • Some parameters and enough commas to fill in the first three parameters, as in the following example:
      DEVICE=C:\DXMC0MOD.SYS 400000000001,,
    						

2.5 MemMaker and Adaptec SCSI devices

MemMaker is compatible with Adaptec SCSI devices. However, if you use the ASPI4DOS.SYS driver to support your SCSI device, MemMaker by default will exclude this driver from the optimization process. If you don't use the SCSI device as your startup or boot drive, you can include the ASPI4DOS.SYS driver in the optimization process. To do so, remove the ^ASPI4DOS entry in the MEMMAKER.INF file, and then run MemMaker.

2.6 Using MemMaker on a computer with PC Tools or PC-DOS RAMBoost

You can use MemMaker or RAMBoost with MS-DOS, but not both at the same time. MemMaker will prevent RAMBoost from loading, but not remove its DEVICE= command from your CONFIG.SYS.

2.7 EMM386 detects an error in an application

If EMM386 displays a message such as "EMM386 has detected error #12 in an application," this indicates that the processor has reported an exception error to EMM386. An exception error typically occurs when an application gives the processor an instruction under invalid or unexpected conditions. In most cases, these errors are related to a specific program. If you are receiving an error that does not occur with any particular application, the error might be caused by a device driver or a memory-resident (terminate-and-stay-resident) program.

To avoid these errors:

  • Try to identify the program involved. One way to do this is to see if the error occurs when the program is not running. If you suspect a memory-resident program or device driver, try bypassing it when your computer starts.
  • Try disabling EMM386. If a particular application is to blame, disabling EMM386 might allow that application to generate an error message. Disabling EMM386 might also change your memory configuration so that the error no longer occurs.
  • Try changing the order in which you load device drivers and memory-resident programs. This might help because some errors occur only under specific memory conditions.
  • If error 12 is occurring, this indicates that a stack is being used incorrectly. Try adding the following command to your CONFIG.SYS file:

    STACKS=18,512

  • If error 13 is occurring, the program may be trying to use protected mode without cooperating with EMM386. You may need to obtain a VCPI-compliant version of the program, or not load EMM386 when using this application.

2.8 MemMaker no longer aggressively scans upper memory by default

By default, the MS-DOS 6.21 version of MemMaker does not scan upper memory aggressively. Instead, the MemMaker option "Scan the upper memory area aggressively?" is set to No, and MemMaker limits its search for available UMBs to memory addresses C600 through EFFF. In contrast, the MS-DOS 6 version of MemMaker did scan upper memory aggressively by default: in addition to scanning memory in the C600-EFFF range, it also scanned addresses in the range F000 through F7FF.

To make more memory available for running programs, run MemMaker in Custom mode and change the "Scan the upper memory area aggressively?" option to Yes. (Note that, on some computers, putting UMBs in this range prevents the computer from starting properly.)

Note: If you last ran MemMaker with the "Scan the upper memory area aggressively" option set to Yes, then the next time you run MemMaker, it leaves that option set to Yes.

3. WINDOWS

3.1 Your computer uses a Windows 3.0 permanent swap file.

If your computer uses a Windows 3.0 permanent swap file, run the SPATCH.BAT program to make the swap file compatible with MS-DOS 6. To do so, carry out the following procedure:

  1. Copy the SPATCH.BAT file to your hard disk. To determine the location of the file on the Setup disks, view the PACKING.LST file on Setup Disk 1.
  2. Type the following at the command prompt:

    SPATCH [DRIVE]:[PATH]SWAPFILE.EXE

    For the DRIVE and PATH parameters, specify the location of your SWAPFILE.EXE file.
  3. Follow the instructions on your screen.

    The program modifies the SWAPFILE.EXE for use with MS-DOS 6 and saves a backup copy as SWAPFILE.SAV. After you have confirmed the file works correctly, you can delete the SWAPFILE.SAV file.

3.2 Using compressed floppy disks with Windows File Manager

If you are using compressed floppy disks with automounting enabled, you might encounter error messages or other problems while using File Manager. To work around these problems, press the F5 key twice.

For example, if you change from a compressed to an uncompressed floppy disk, the drive button for the compressed floppy disk's host drive remains until you press the F5 key twice.

4. HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY WITH MS-DOS

4.1 Compaq EXTDISK.SYS Driver

The Compaq EXTDISK.SYS driver version 3.00 or later is compatible with MS-DOS 6. If you have a version earlier than 3.00, contact your vendor for an upgrade.

4.2 Hardcard

If you upgraded your system from MS-DOS 6 or 6.2, your system uses its Hardcard drive as its startup drive, and you want to use DoubleSpace on that drive, see section 7.18. For additional Hardcard information, see the following:

  1. Hardcard II

    If you can't use Plus Development Hardcard II or Hardcard II XL when running EMM386.EXE, specify the exclude (x=) switch to prevent EMM386 from conflicting with the card's BIOS address.

    To configure EMM386, run MemMaker.
  2. Hardcard 40 or Passport

    If you are using Hardcard 40 or a Passport removable disk, and you have a DEVICE command in your CONFIG.SYS file for PLUSDRV.SYS, disable or remove the DEVICE command. Then run MS-DOS 6.21 Setup. After Setup is complete, reenable or restore the DEVICE command for PLUSDRV.SYS. Make it the last line in the file.
  3. If you upgraded your system from MS-DOS 6 or 6.2, installed DoubleSpace on your Hardcard, and are now unable to access your newly compressed drive, try the following:

    1. Add a DBLSPACE /MOUNT command to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to mount the compressed volume file on the Hardcard every time you start your computer.
    2. Or, ensure that there is at least one device driver (for example, ANSI.SYS) loaded in your CONFIG.SYS file AFTER the ATDOSXL.SYS driver but BEFORE the DBLSPACE.SYS driver.

4.3 Toshiba

If you used the MS-DOS 5.0 version of EMM386 before you ran Setup, and you use the Power Management function, use the VRESUME program or device driver to avoid problems with the Resume feature. Carry out the following procedure:

  1. Make sure the VRESUME.COM or VRESUME.SYS file is on your hard disk. To load the TSR, add a command for VRESUME.COM to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. To load the device driver, add a command for the VRESUME.SYS file to your CONFIG.SYS file.
  2. Save the file, and restart your computer.

    NOTE For information about using VRESUME with Windows 3.0, see the WRESUME.TXT file on your Toshiba MS-DOS 5.0 disks.

5. MICROSOFT PROGRAMS

5.1 Microsoft Anti-Virus

Before cleaning a program file, make sure you have a backup copy of it. If you clean a program file, and the program is corrupted, reinstall the program. If Anti-Virus again detects a virus, there is a chance the detection is in error; contact your software vendor to determine if an updated version of the program is available.

5.2 Running Microsoft Backup for MS-DOS under Windows

You should not run Backup for MS-DOS while Windows is running. However, if you do, and if your system is not configured correctly, Backup might display the following symptoms:

  • Backup appears to stop running--for example, the clock runs, but there is no disk activity.
  • Backup reports problems while testing the second floppy disk during the compatibility test. For example, it might display a "Diskette not properly seated" message or ask for Disk 1 repeatedly.
  • Windows displays a message that the DMA buffer size needs to be increased.
  • Backup quits unexpectedly.
You can correctly configure your system by carrying out the following procedure.

  1. Open your SYSTEM.INI file, and add a DMABufferSize=32 line to the [386Enh] section.
  2. When you run Backup, make sure that you specify with the Settings command from the Control menu that Backup run with the Exclusive and Full Screen options.

5.3 Backup for Windows stops running at the end of the compatibility test

If Backup for Windows stops running at the end of the Compatibility Test, you might be loading an incompatible third-party backup driver in your SYSTEM.INI file. Carry out the following procedure.

NOTE This procedure disables your third-party backup program.

  1. Open your SYSTEM.INI file, and locate the [386Enh] section.
  2. Determine whether any of the following lines are included in this section:
       DEVICE=FASTBACK.386
       DEVICE=VFD.386
       DEVICE=CPBVXD.386
       DEVICE=VIRWT.386
    						
  3. If you find any of these lines, add a semicolon (;) to the front of the line.
  4. Save the file, restart Windows, and run Backup for Windows again.

5.4 Running Microsoft Backup with TI4000 and Gateway NOMAD computers

To avoid a conflict between the Turbo feature and Microsoft Backup for Windows or MS-DOS, add a /L0 switch to the DEVICE command in your CONFIG.SYS that loads the BATTERY.PRO file. Or, before you run Microsoft Backup, type SETPOWER /L0 at the command prompt.

5.5 MS-DOS 6.21 Backup Cannot Restore 6 or 6.2 Backups

The Backup programs included with MS-DOS version 6.21 do not support data compression during backup. Because of this:

  • The MS-DOS 6.21 Backup programs do not compress data while backing up.
  • The Backup programs cannot usually restore backups made with MS-DOS version 6 or 6.2. (Most such backups were made by using backup data compression.)
To restore backups made with the MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 Backup utilities (either the MS-DOS or Windows versions) use the MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 versions of Backup.

Note: When you upgrade from MS-DOS 6 or 6.2, MS-DOS 6.21 Setup checks to see if you already have Backup installed. If you do, then by default, Setup keeps your current version of Backup, rather than replacing it with the MS-DOS 6.21 version. This ensures that you can restore any backups you have made.

Backup does successfully restore 6 and 6.2 backups made without data compression. If you unchecked the Compress Backup Data box in the Backup Options dialog before you backed up, you should have no problems restoring your data using the MS-DOS version 6.21 Backup programs.

Restoring a Previous Version of Microsoft Backup

By default, MS-DOS 6.21 Setup leaves your current version (if any) of Backup intact so that you can restore previous backups you made with that version. However, if you instruct Setup to replace your current version of Backup with MS-DOS 6.21 Backup, or if you later lose your current version of Backup, you might be unable to use MS-DOS 6.21 Backup to access your existing backups.

The following procedures explain how to put back the MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 version of Backup for MS-DOS. The procedure you use differs depending on the size of your MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 disks. (The commands in these procedures assume that your Setup disks are in drive A and your MS-DOS files are located in the C:\DOS directory; if the disks or MS-DOS files are in a different drive or location, adjust the commands accordingly.)

If you have MS-DOS 6.2 disks (either 1.2 MB or 1.44 MB disks) or MS-DOS 6 disks (1.2 MB disks only):

  1. Insert Setup Disk 1 in drive A.
  2. Type the following commands:

    COPY A:*.OVL C:\DOS
    EXPAND A:MSBACKUP.EXE C:\DOS
    EXPAND A:MSBACKUP.HLP C:\DOS
    EXPAND A:MSBCONFG.HLP C:\DOS

If you are using MS-DOS 6 disks (1.44 MB disks only):

  1. Insert Setup Disk 2 in drive A.
  2. Type the following commands:

    EXPAND A:MSBACKUP.EXE C:\DOS
    COPY A:*.OVL C:\DOS

  3. Insert Setup Disk 3 in drive A.
  4. Type the following commands:

    COPY A:*.OVL C:\DOS
    EXPAND A:MSBACKUP.HLP C:\DOS
    EXPAND A:MSBCONFG.HLP C:\DOS

    These commands copy Backup's files from drive A to the C:\DOS directory. If Setup Disk 1 is in drive B, or if your MS-DOS files are located in a directory other than C:\DOS, you should adjust the commands accordingly.

5.6 Microsoft Defragmenter

If you received the "Insufficient Memory" message from Microsoft Defragmenter, use the MEM command to determine how much conventional, upper, and extended (XMS) memory is available. In addition to using all available conventional memory, Defragmenter can make use of up to 384K of extended memory and 12K of upper memory.

To increase available memory, carry out the procedures in "An MS-DOS program displays an out-of-memory message" in the chapter "Diagnosing and Solving Problems" in the MICROSOFT MS-DOS USER'S GUIDE.

If less than 384K of extended memory is available, carry out the procedures in "Freeing Extended Memory" in the "Making More Memory Available" chapter in the MICROSOFT MS-DOS USER'S GUIDE.

6. THIRD-PARTY PROGRAMS

6.1 4DOS and NDOS

4DOS and NDOS are compatible with MS-DOS 6. However, to use some of the new features in MS-DOS 6.21 (such as MemMaker, the LOADHIGH /L switch, DIR compression switches, and the ability to bypass startup commands), contact JP Software to obtain 4DOS 4.02 or later, or Symantec to obtain Norton Utilities 7.0 or later.

If you use multiple configurations, 4DOS or NDOS will not automatically run your AUTOEXEC.BAT file unless you include a /P on the SHELL line in your CONFIG.SYS file.

To use MS-DOS 6.21 Help instead of 4DOS or NDOS Help, start it by using COMMAND /C HELP, or define a 4DOS or NDOS alias to run HELP.COM from your MS-DOS 6.2 directory.

6.2 Above Board 286 and Above Board Plus Installation Programs

Do not use an Above Board installation program dated May 1989 or earlier until you disable programs that use extended memory, such as SMARTDrive or RAMDrive. You might lose data if you leave these programs enabled. After you have installed Above Board, you can reenable these programs.

6.3 CodeView

CAUTION Using versions 3.0 to 3.13 of the CodeView CV.EXE file may cause data loss if your system has an 80386 memory manager (such as EMM386.EXE) and device drivers or programs that use extended memory. To determine which version you have, type CV.EXE at the command prompt.

6.4 Colorado Tape Backup

If you receive a message that you have two versions of the VFINTD.386 file loaded, you probably need to edit your SYSTEM.INI file. To do so, carry out the following procedure:

  1. Open your SYSTEM.INI file and locate the [386Enh] section. You should see two lines similar to the following:
       DEVICE=C:\TAPE\CMSDTAPE.386
       DEVICE=C:\DOS\VFINTD.386
    						
  2. If you plan to use your Colorado Tape Backup program, add a semi- colon (;) before the DEVICE command for the VFINTD.386 file. If you plan to use Microsoft Backup, add a semi-colon before the DEVICE command for the CMSDTAPE.386 file.
  3. Save the file, and restart Windows.

6.5 Fastback Plus

If you have a version of Fifth Generation Systems Fastback Plus earlier than 3.0, use the LOADFIX command before running Fastback Plus or the Fastback Plus installation program to ensure that you don't lose data. To do so, type the following at the command prompt:

LOADFIX FB.EXE

or

LOADFIX FBINSTAL.EXE

6.6 Norton Desktop for Windows 2.0

Setup adds a second Tools menu which contains Microsoft Backup and Antivirus commands (if you installed these Windows programs), as well as a DoubleSpace Info command (if DoubleSpace is installed).

The remainder of this section applies only to systems that were running MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before upgrading to MS-DOS 6.21.

If you use DoubleSpace to compress the drive that contains SmartCan, you might experience system problems afterward. To correct this, reinstall Norton Desktop for Windows.

For information about Norton AntiVirus and DoubleSpace, see the following section.

6.7 Norton Utilities

This section applies only to systems that were running MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before upgrading to MS-DOS 6.21.

The "Clear Space" option of Norton Speed Disk (prior to version 7.0) is incompatible with DoubleSpace drives. For an updated version of Norton Speed Disk, contact your software vendor.

Do not use the WipeInfo utility on DoubleSpace drives. It can cause lost clusters. If you have already used this option, use the SCANDISK command to fix the lost clusters.

If Norton AntiVirus is running when you use DoubleSpace to compress the drive that contains the NAV_.SYS file, DoubleSpace leaves a copy of the NAV_.SYS file on the host drive. This prevents Norton AntiVirus from reporting a virus infection during the compression process. After the compression process is complete, you can safely delete the copy of NAV_.SYS on the host drive.

If you use the Norton Cache or Speedrive utilities, load the utility after the DEVICE command that loads DBLSPACE.SYS. For more information, see section 7.24.

6.8 PC Tools

If PC Shell does not show all of the files or directories on your drive, quit PC Shell immediately and contact Central Point Software for an update.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to use PC Shell on that drive; severe data loss might occur. This problem affects both compressed and non-compressed drives.

The FORMAT command of PC Tools version 7.1 conflicts with MS-DOS 6.21. Use the FORMAT command that comes with MS-DOS 6.21.

The remainder of this section applies only to systems that were running MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before upgrading to MS-DOS 6.21.

The DISKFIX /SCAN option in PC Tools can cause lost clusters on DoubleSpace drives. Avoid using this option. (If you have already used this option, use ScanDisk to fix the lost clusters.)

The COMPRESS command of PC Tools versions 6.0 and 5.5 is incompatible with DoubleSpace.

6.9 QEMM's Stealth DoubleSpace Feature

This section applies only to systems that were running MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before upgrading to MS-DOS 6.21.

The Stealth DoubleSpace feature of QEMM 7.01 is incompatible with MS-DOS 6.21. Version 7.02 is compatible with MS-DOS 6.21, but not with DEFRAG.EXE or DoubleSpace's Automount feature. Version 7.03 is fully compatible with MS-DOS 6.21 and DoubleSpace; it is available to all QEMM 7 users through bulletin board systems such as BIX, CompuServe, and QuarterDeck BBS, as well as directly from QuarterDeck Office Systems.

If you use the Stealth DoubleSpace feature of QEMM version 7.01 or 7.02, see the appropriate section below.

QEMM version 7.01

The Stealth DoubleSpace feature of QEMM 7.01 is incompatible with MS-DOS 6.21. If you use QEMM version 7.01 and the Stealth DoubleSpace feature, your computer will not start properly.

To work around this problem, press F8 when your computer starts. Answer Y to all prompts except the following:
    DEVICE=C:\QEMM\ST-DBL.SYS [Y/N]?
				
When MS-DOS displays this prompt, answer N. (The path name for ST-DBL.SYS may be different on your computer.) After your computer starts, edit your CONFIG.SYS file and make the following changes:

  • Disable the DEVICE command for ST-DBL.SYS by using the REM command.
  • Add a DEVICE command for DBLSPACE.SYS. For example:
        DEVICE=C:\DOS\DBLSPACE.SYS /MOVE
    						

QEMM version 7.02

The Stealth DoubleSpace feature of QEMM version 7.02 is compatible with MS-DOS 6.21, with the following exceptions:

  • You cannot use QEMM version 7.02's Stealth DoubleSpace feature while DoubleSpace's Automount feature is enabled. To turn Automounting off, type DBLSPACE /AUTOMOUNT=O at the command prompt, and then restart your computer.
  • You cannot run the Microsoft Defragmenter (DEFRAG.EXE) while QEMM version 7.02's Stealth DoubleSpace driver is installed. To run DEFRAG.EXE, disable the Stealth DoubleSpace driver, and then restart your computer. After you finish running DEFRAG.EXE, you can reenable the Stealth DoubleSpace driver and restart your computer.

6.10 Johnson Computer Systems PC-Vault and PC-Vault Plus

This section applies only to systems that were running MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before upgrading to MS-DOS 6.21.

If you use version 4.6 or earlier of the PC-Vault or PC-Vault Plus hard disk protection system, do not use the Maximum Floppy Boot Protection option if you use DoubleSpace.

In these versions of PC-Vault and PC-Vault plus, the Maximum Floppy Boot Protection option is incompatible with DoubleSpace and may cause data loss. If your version of PC-Vault or PC-Vault Plus is earlier than 4.6, contact Johnson Computer Systems for an upgrade.

6.11 AddStor Double Tools

This section applies only to systems that were running MS-DOS 6 or 6.2 before upgrading to MS-DOS 6.21.

AddStor's Double Tools version 1.0 includes a version of DBLSPACE.BIN that is incompatible with MS-DOS 6.21. When you install Double Tools, do not check the "Install enhanced DoubleSpace drivers" box. If you do, Double Tools will replace the MS-DOS 6.21 DBLSPACE.BIN file with the Double Tools version of DBLSPACE.BIN, which is compatible only with MS-DOS 6.0. The next time you start your computer, it will display the message "Wrong DBLSPACE.BIN version" and none of your compressed drives will be mounted.

If you are using Double Tools version 1.0 or 1.2 with the enhanced DoubleSpace driver installed, you will not be able to run MS-DOS 6.21 Setup. To solve this problem, run Double Tools' DTCONFIG.EXE program and choose the "Microsoft" (version 1.0) or "Standard" (version 1.2) option. Then save your changes, exit from DTCONFIG, and run MS-DOS 6.21 Setup again.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:3/17/2005
Keywords:KB113642