Using WSSCNFG.EXE with Multiple-Configuration System Files (114944)

SUMMARY

The Windows Sound System MS-DOS Configuration program (WSSCNFG.EXE) provides dual-boot capability for your computer system; it provides a menu with both default configuration and Sound Blaster compatibility selections. WSSCNFG.EXE changes your CONFIG.SYS file by creating two sections; however, it does not change your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. You can modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to create two sections, which will improve the performance of your computer. Depending on which menu selection you choose, specific files either load or do not load. Your MS-DOS 6.0 "User's Guide" provides more information about using multiple configurations.

MORE INFORMATION

Sample System Files Before Running WSSCNFG.EXE

CONFIG.SYS:

  DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
  DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
  FILES=60
  BUFFERS=30
  DOS=HIGH,UMB
  SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM C:\ /P /E:1024

AUTOEXEC.BAT:

  SET TEMP = C:\TEMP
  PROMPT $P$G
  PATH = C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS
  LH C:\DOS\DOSKEY
  WIN

Sample CONFIG.SYS File After Running WSSCNFG.EXE

  [Menu]
  menuitem=default, default configuration
  menuitem=Soundblastercompat,Sound Blaster Compatibility

  [SoundBlastercompat]
  DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
  DEVICE=C:\SNDSYS\EMM386.EXE 512 RAM
  DEVICE=C:\SNDSYS\WSSXLAT.EXE SBIO=220 IRQ=7 DMA=1 WAVE=7 LINEIN=7
  DOS=HIGH,UMB
  BUFFERS=20
  FILES=30

  [Default]
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
  DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
  DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
  FILES=60
  BUFFERS=30
  DOS=HIGH,UMB
  SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM C:\ /P /E:1024

To make more memory available and keep Windows from automatically loading when you select the Sound Blaster compatibility selection (assuming you have the WIN command at the end of the AUTOEXEC.BAT file), you can make changes to your AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that only specific files are loaded depending on the option selected from the startup menu.

Sample AUTOEXEC.BAT File After Making Manual Changes

  goto %config%

  :SoundBlasterCompat
  rem lines in this section are only available in Sound Blaster Mode.
  goto end

  :Default
  SET TEMP = C:\TEMP
  PROMPT $P$G
  PATH = C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS
  LH C:\DOS\DOSKEY
  WIN

  :goto end
  :end

The above AUTOEXEC.BAT file provides only a small sample of what you can do using Microsoft MS-DOS version 6.0 or later. For complete instructions about how to alter your system files for multiple configurations, refer to page 105 of the Microsoft DOS 6.0 "User's Guide."