Computer Help References version 1.19.95 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 W I N D O W S 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 As new information is added, it will appear at the beginning of each specific section. All new information will have the date it was added in the header. If you find something you've read before that is marked as a new addition, it is due to a correction, or addition to that topic. 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 What's that WINA20.386 file for? ================================ -> Added on January 12, 1995 The WINA20.386 file is a read-only file that is copied to the root directory on your hard disk (startup) drive when you set up MS-DOS 5 Upgrade or MS-DOS 6 Upgrade on a computer that is capable of running Microsoft Windows in 386 enhanced mode. Microsoft Windows version _3.0_ cannot run in 386 enhanced mode without this file. However, you do _NOT_ need the WINA20.386 file if you are currently running _any other version_ of Microsoft Windows, or if you do not run Microsoft Windows version 3.0 in 386 enhanced mode. Source: Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note PD0471.TXT - EXPLANATION OF THE WINA20.386 FILE - 4/93 * Vernon.Frazee@f71.n135.z1.fidonet.org or FidoNet: 1:135/71 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 NotePad Enhancements ==================== -> Added on January 3, 1995 NotePad has a left and right margin of 3/4". When printing from NotePad for certain documents, which have lines longer than a 7" horizontal line, a few words on that line will wrap down to the next line and make it harder to read. To change this 3/4" margin, start up WRITE and load in NOTEPAD.EXE. You *DID* remember to make a backup copy - yes? Make sure to select "No Conversion" when asked. Click on the Find title bar menu and then select the Find menu item. Type ".75" as the text to search for. Click on the Find Next button to start the search. Once arriving at this entry, Double-Click on the Control Menu icon to get out of the Find dialog box. Change BOTH instances of the .75 to .00 (that's zero-zero). Save the file as NOTEPAD.EXE and you're all finished. * Bill Gaston @ 1:382/91 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Hanging Mouse ============= -> Updated on December 17, 1994 -> Added on October 30, 1994 Some computers using a mouse on the PS/2 port will experience a delay when Windows exits. This is the system waiting for the mouse port to reinitialize. To correct the problem, add "InitPS2MouseAtExit=FALSE" to the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI: * PC Computing - August 1994 You should note an annoyance this *can* cause for some computers. By using the "InitPS2MouseAtExit=" line, when the user exits Windows completely, any DOS application that wants the mouse will not have the mouse enabled. This can be be corrected by entering "mouse on" at the DOS prompt (this works for the Microsoft mouse driver, other drivers may use other initialization commands). Your mouse driver should be in your PATH statement. This will re-initialize the mouse and all will be fine afterwards. * Jerry Rainko @ 1:120/437 An easy way to "fix" this problem if it applies to you is to have Windows run from a batch file. Create a file with an ASCII editor (DOS has EDIT.COM which works great for small files like this) and give it an easy name to remember ... such as WIND.BAT In this file, you will need at least two lines - more if you want to further enhance your Windows "Exit". @win @mouse on That's it! Just save the file and put it in one of the directories in your PATH statement. Instead of using WIN to start Windows, use WIND and it will automatically do the rest for you. Other enhancements could be to clear the screen, display the free space on your hard drive, etc. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Quick Launch Menu System ======================== -> Added on December 12, 1994 Create a group window that you can leave open with all your most used applications and applets. Mine has: Telix, BlueWave, Word, WinZip, File Manager, MS DOS Prompt, Notepad, ... To keep consistent, I have kept all the old groups and only _copied_ the icons to my new group. This saves alot of opening-closing-jumping-confusion. You can even have well-used files in your always-on-top group so you don't have to start the application, or File Manager, first. Simply use the filemanager to associate the files (sometimes this is already done by the installation program of many applications) and from then on, you need only to double click on a data file's icon and the application will start and automatically load that data file. * Alfred Pratt - alfred@freenet.vancouver.bc.ca 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 CD-ROM Audio in Windows 3.1+ ============================ -> Added on December 12, 1994 Note: "Windows 3.1" as stated below is relevant to: Windows 3.1 or 3.11 Windows for Workgroups 3.1 or 3.11 This is a complete description of the support for CDROM Audio support in Windows 3.1. This article will try to completely explain the CDROM environment. It will also include a detailed list of things that need to be done to use Music CD's in your CDROM under Windows 3.1. The support for CDROM Audio is a multilevel cooperation of three levels of drivers. They are the manufacture's CDROM device driver, Microsoft's MSCDEX.EXE, and Windows 3.1 MCICDA.DRV. These are the three drivers required to use the CDROM Audio support in Windows 3.1. The manufacture's driver interfaces directly to the CDROM device. It talks to MSCDEX.EXE. MSCDEX.EXE is the programmers Red Book CD Audio driver. It talks to MCICDA.DRV of Windows 3.1. MCICDA.DRV supports Windows applications using CD Audio. It talks to Windows programs. All three drivers must be installed and configured correctly to play music CD's. When Windows 3.1 setup program is run, it checks for the presence of MSCDEX.EXE. If it is found, it will create an entry for MCICDA.DRV in your system. But, it will NOT install the driver! This must be done by the user after the installation is completed. Following are the exact steps to add all these drivers to your system: A) Add your manufacture's driver supplied with the CD-ROM Drive to the CONFIG.SYS in your root directory. B) Add MSCDEX.EXE from manufacture or Microsoft to the AUTOEXEC.BAT C) Configure the above drivers for each other. Use the documentation from manufacture. D) Start up Windows and goto Control Panel. Select the Drivers Icon. E) Press the ADD Button. F) Select "[MCI] CD Audio" entry and press OK Button. G) Insert Windows Disk asked for and follow instructions. H) Restart windows. You should now be able to use a Windows CD player (or the Media Player) to play Music CD's. If after the above steps you are still not getting the MCICDA.DRV to run, follow these instructions: A) Edit SYSTEM.INI. B) Find the [MCI] section. C) There should be a "CDAudio=mcicda.drv" entry. If not, add it. D) Save SYSTEM.INI and exit editor. E) Do a directory listing on your \SYSTEM directory. F) Is MCICDA.DRV present? If not: 1) Search Windows 3.1 Install disks for a file "MCICDA.DR_". 2) Use EXPAND.EXE command to expand file to \SYSTEM. 3) Restart windows. One major problem that I have seen with CD-ROM drives is that the lens pickup system gets dirty easily. This can cause the CD-ROM drive to act very strange. It will skip in playing songs, reset the drive, or not play a disk at all. To clean a CD-ROM drive, a CD cleaning disk can be bought at most audio stores. Run the disk through the drive. This should solve the problem. You should clean your drive at least every 60 days. I hope this clears up the problems I have seen with using Music CD's in Windows 3.1. I, of course, have a vested interest in seeing it get cleared up. * Brett McDonald - BFM Software - CIS 77370,1254 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Control without the Control Panel ================================= -> Added on November 28, 1994 If you are tired of opening up Control Panel (It takes to long to open if you ask me) just to get at your favorite Control Panel applet, I have a few little tips for you. From Program Manager open up a program group (or create a new one). Then from the menu in Program Manager select FILE then NEW. Select Program item. In the command line type any of the following for the desired applet: APPLET COMMAND LINE -------- -------------- COLOR CONTROL MAIN.CPL COLOR FONTS CONTROL MAIN.CPL FONTS PORTS CONTROL MAIN.CPL PORTS MOUSE CONTROL MAIN.CPL MOUSE DESKTOP CONTROL MAIN.CPL DESKTOP PRINTERS CONTROL MAIN.CPL PRINTERS DATE/TIME CONTROL MAIN.CPL DATE/TIME INTERNATIONAL CONTROL MAIN.CPL INTERNATIONAL SOUND MAPPER CONTROL MSACM.DRV With these last four, if you "ASSOCIATE" (via File Manager) .CPL files with CONTROL.EXE, you can eliminate "CONTROL" from the command line. ENHANCED CONTROL CPWIN386.CPL DRIVERS CONTROL DRIVERS.CPL FAX CONTROL FAX.CPL SOUND CONTROL SND.CPL Now, select an icon, type in the desired name, and then choose OK. Viola! Now when you double click on the desired icon, the applet opens all by itself. No waiting for Control Panel to load. This speeds things up quite a bit. * robert.jones@library.dps.com FidoNet: Robert Jones @ 1:213/742 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Wallpaper Glue ============== -> Added on November 2, 1994 Normally, your your only two choices for wallpaper placement are centered or tiled. What do you do if you want it placed somewhere else on the screen? Edit your WIN.INI and add these entries under the [Desktop] section: WallpaperOriginX=50 WallpaperOriginY=100 "X" refers to the horizontal position and "Y" is the vertical one. Both are from the top left of the screen. * PC Computing - November 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Different StartUp Group ======================= -> Added on November 2, 1994 If you ever had a reason to change your Startup group name, here's the trick! Create a new program manager group and remember the filename you assign to it. Add the following to your PROGMAN.INI [Settings] section: STARTUP=filename "filename" is the name of the new group you created. Just copy the contents of your old startup group to the new one and you're set. * PC Computing - November 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Hiding Directories ================== -> Added on November 2, 1994 Here's a quick way to hide directories from prying eyes. Name the directory using the null character, ASCII 255. To create the directory from DOS, type "MD " then hold the ALT key and type "255" using the numeric keypad. You may use the ALT-255 up to 8 times plus three more in the extension. To further ward off the prying eyse, hide the directory by typing this in DOS. "ATTRIB directoryname +H" You're same not only in DOS, but Windows as well. The FileManager can view hidden files, but double-clicking on a directory named with a null character throws them back to the root directory and doesn't give access to the contents of the directory itself. * PC Computing - November 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Saving Current Settings ======================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 In PROGRAM MANAGER and FILE MANAGER, you can save the current settings and layout so that they will be the same everytime you use them. To make this work, you must turn off "SAVE SETTINGS ON EXIT". Next, set up the look and options they way you want them. Finally, hold the SHIFT key and exit as you normally would. It won't actually exit, but instead save the current settings. Next time you start the file or program manager, your settings will be intact. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 256 Colours =========== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Microsoft's high-speed 256-colour display driver (SVGA256.DRV) supports the displays listed below. The driver is included as part of the Windows for Workgroups 3.11 package and is also available for downloading from the Windows Driver Library. The library is accessible via CompuServ (GO MSL, download SVGA.EXE), Genie, Microsoft OnLine, and the Microsoft Download Service (206-936-MSDL). Finally, you can order the driver on diskette by calling Microsoft at 800-426-9400. The SVGA256.DRV driver supports the following displays: - ATI VGA Wonder - Cirrus Logic VGA (5420, 6420 series) - Oak Technology VGA (077 series) - Paradise VGA - Trident VGA (8900 series) - Tseng ET4000-based, including: Boca VGA; Cardinal VGA; Diamond SpeedStar; Everex Viewpoint; Metheus Premier VGA; Orchid ProDesigner IIs; Sigma VGA Legend; STB Powergraph - Video Seven VGA: FastWrite; 1024i; VRAM; VRAM II - Western Digital VGA * Windows Magazine - June 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Windows FTP Sites ================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 For those who frequent the "information highway", here's a couple of Windows FTP sites. They may no longer be current by the time you read this, but they once were in operation. ftp.cica.indiana.edu oak.oakland.edu wuarchive.wustl.edu grind.isca.uiowa.edu ftp.cdrom.com polecat.law.indiana.edu ftp.marcam.com gatekeeper.dec.com * Unknown Newsgroup Post 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Default "DEVICE=" entries in SYSTEM.INI ======================================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 For those who are curious, these are the default Virtual Device Drivers written into the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI during the Windows setup procedure. Device names beginning with an asterisk are an integral part of the WIN386.EXE file, while those with an extension of .386 are separate files placed in the SYSTEM directory. Windows 3.1 WFWG 3.1 WFWG 3.11 File or Device Description ----------- -------- --------- -------------------------- *biosxlat *biosxlat *biosxlat ROM Bios access for apps & devices *BLOCKDEV *BLOCKDEV *BLOCKDEV coordinate block I/O services, FastDisk devices *cdpscsi *cdpscsi *cdpscsi --- *combuff *combuff *combuff communications buffer for serial port *dosmgr *dosmgr *dosmgr manages MS-DOS virtual machines --- --- ifsmgr.386 installable file system manager --- --- lpt.386 LPT *PAGEFILE *PAGEFILE *PAGEFILE virtual memory paging file *pageswap *pageswap *pageswap supports Windows demand-paging *parity *parity *parity NMI handler,memory & bus parity error detection *reboot *reboot *reboot --- --- --- serial.386 serial communications *v86mmgr *v86mmgr *v86mmgr --- --- --- vcache.386 32-bit cache manager *vcd vcd.386 *vcd communcations --- --- vcomm.386 communcations *vdma vdmad.386 *vdmad virtualizes DMA devices *vfd *vfd *vfd floppy disk drive device *vmpcd *vmpcd *vmpcd access to math co-processor *vmpoll *vmpoll *vmpoll detects virtual machine idle waiting for keyboard input --- vpd.386 --- printer *vpicd vpicd.386 *vpicd programmable interrupt control --- --- vpmtd.386 fax scheduler *vsd *vsd *vsd virtual sound device PC speaker --- vshare.386 vshare.386 file sharing *vtd *vtd *vtd virtualizes 8253 timer services vtdapi.386 vtdapi.386 vtdapi.386 multimedia virtual timer *wshell *wshell *wshell system-level services for other VxDs *vddvga *vddvga *vddvga video display * Windows Magazine - June 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Windows PaintBrush Tricks ========================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 Setting the colour of the outline: - Use the right mouse button to pick the outline colour. Bend, stretch, resize, and tilt images: - Select an area of your picture by clicking the mouse button in the upper left corner and dragging it down and right until your selection is in the elastic box. On the title bar, select the PICK menu and go crazy. Printing only PART of an image: - Select print from the file menu as usual, but then select PARTIAL in the dialog box that pops up. You'll be given the opportunity to draw a box around the area you want to print. Printing larger or smaller than the original image: - Select print from the file menu as usual, and then change the percentage in the Scaling Box. For example, choose a percentage of 500 to print the image on 16 sheets of paper, then tape the sheets together. Create transparent and opaque "sweeps": - Select the image, or part of an image. While holding shift down, hold the left mouse button and drag the selection. This makes transparent copies of the image across your masterpiece. Holding the right button instead makes the selected image opaque. Quick Copy: - Select the image or part of the image, and hold the CTRL key while you drag the mouse. Good for one copy. * Windows Magazine - June 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Dual Versions of Windows ======================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Some people have a need for two separate copies of Windows. Here is how to use the same swapfile for both copies. 1. Start Windows 1, create swap file, restart Windows twice! 2. Start Windows 2, create swap file (same size as previous one), restart Windows twice! 3. Start Windows 1 and it will accept the swap file, Voila! * Unknown Newsgroup Post 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Running DOS Telecommunications Under Windows ============================================ -> Added on October 30, 1994 This is using Telemate 4.12 as an example. I suppose you could use another COMM program, but none offer the stability under Windows that Telemate does. If you are using Windows 3.1 or 3.11, start at step ONE. If you are using Windows for Workgroups, then start at step THREE. 1) Replace the stock Windows communications driver COMM.DRV (found in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\) with a 3rd party communications driver such as: WFXCOMM.DRV - from Delrina, freeware and available off of most bbs's. CYBERCOM KINGCOM TURBOCOM The last 3 are NOT freeware, but provide better performance and have more functionality. Installation of the drivers are actually quite simple and instructions will come with the documentation of the driver. 2) Obtain a copy of CHCOMB.386. This is also freeware, and is readily available on most bbs's. The purpose of this driver is to allow DOS applications to properly utilize your uart's buffering ability. Installation is very simple and instructions come with the driver. 3a) Add the following lines to the [386Enh] section of your Window's SYSTEM.INI file: ComxBuffer=10000 (Windows com buff default is 256 bytes) ComBoostTime=4 (Windows default is 2) 3b) Remove any lines that refer to "ComxFifo=" in the SYSTEM.INI The FIFO is enabled by default if it is available, hence this line is redundant. * Bob Miller @ 1:101/535 4) If your modem is running on Com4 and you are not utilizing Com3 then you must disable Com3 while in Windows. This is accomplished by editing your Window's SYSTEM.INI file and altering the following lines found under the [386Enh] section: Com3Irq=4 Com3Base=03E8 to Com3Irq=-1 Com3Base=-1 If you do not have the above lines in your SYSTEM.INI, then add them to the [386Enh] section. You should also add the following lines in the same section stating the address of the Com Port and the IRQ it utilizes. Com4Irq=3 (or whatever FREE irq you choose). Com4Base=02E8 5) Edit your TELEMATE.PIF file (found in the C:\TM\ directory) and change the foreground/background priority settings to EQUAL settings. I suggest a setting of 50 for each, though 25 may do -- you should experiment. If things are not working properly then adjust BOTH up equally. Also, make sure that the PIF file has the "/W" switch under the optional parameters section. If you are starting Telemate through a batch file, then add the /W switch in the batch file. * Gordon Vanscheik @ 1:3417/2 6) While editting the .PIF, make sure Background Execution is enabled. Next click on the Advanced button, and enable (check) the Lock Application Memory box. This disables application memory swapping. For this to work effectively, you must be in 386 Enhanced Mode, have a permanent swap file and 32bit disk access should be enabled (if possible) * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Easter Egg Hunt ! ================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 If you've ever wondered what programmers do in their spare time, check this out. You MUST hold both the CTRL and SHIFT keys through the entire process without letting go to see the show! Holding CTRL & SHIFT, make program manager active. Select HELP and ABOUT PROGRAM MANAGER. Double click on the Flag Logo. Nothing will happen ... select OK. Repeat this again: HELP - ABOUT - DBL CLICK ... this time you will see a flag waving in the wind. Still holding CTRL and SHIFT? Good! Select OK and do it all once more ... BUT this time, be choosy where you double click!! Pick one of the four SOLID window frames on the right half of the logo for four different characters including a Teddy Bear and Bill Gates himself. Once the show starts, you can let go of CTRL and SHIFT. You'll have to do the whole process over again to try the other three window panels. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Faster Video Display ==================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 There are basically 3 ways to cheaply speed up Windows video response times. The 1st and 2nd can be done in one step - reduce the number of colours and move to a smaller screen resolution. The fewer pixels and colours, the less work your video adapter has to do. 256 colours and an 800x600 resolution is a good bottom end. Any more colours or a higher resolution and you will start to notice a system slowdown. The third way to speed up the display is to remove your wallpaper. Either pick a pattern instead of an actual bitmap, or for even more speed, chose a solid colour and no pattern or bitmap. Both of these tips are done through the Control Panel's Desktop Icon. * PC Computing - October 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Instant Sleep & Password Protection =================================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Here's a two for one! You know there are times when you want to kick your screen saver in automatically, but the stock Windows screen savers just can't do that -- normally. If you make 2 changes, and add an icon to the program manager, you have an instant screen blanker! Add a password to the screensaver and you have instant security as well. Using the control panel, setup your screen saver for how you like. Next you'll have to edit your WIN.INI. Adjust the following line as follows: [windows] Programs=com exe bat pif scr ^^^ Almost there! Now to create an icon in your most commonly used group -- have the destination group out front, hold the ALT key and double click in a blank area of the group's window. Select BROWSE and find your screen saver (it's in the SYSTEM directory and has an .SCR extension), give it a name and move the cursor to the end of the command line field. After the program name, enter a space and then "/S' (no quotes). Select OK. Whenever you double click on the new icon, your screen saver will immediately kick in. If you have a password selected, you will not be able to get back to work without that password. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 System Fonts ============ -> Added on October 30, 1994 In most cases, you can change the size of the fonts that Windows uses for things like menus, Notepad text, and so on. The key to the size of the fonts that Windows uses lies in the [boot] section of the SYSTEM.INI file. There are 3 basic font sizes that Windows uses: VGA fonts, 8415 fonts, and EGA fonts. The [boot] section contains the lines: fonts.fon=vgasys.fon fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon FONTS.FON controls menu fonts (the system font). FIXEDFON.FON controls the fixed-pitch font used in Notepad and some other text applications. OEMFONTS.FON controls a font with an IBM PC-8 character set that is used in the Clipboard (such as cutting and pasting from a DOS window). If you want to get more text on the screen, switch from VGA to EGA fonts. This will give you a shorter but same width of font. If you want larger text, switch to 8514 fonts. The following procedures work for switching between any two font sets. Smaller Normal Larger ======= ====== ====== EGASYS.FON VGASYS.FON 8514SYS.FON EGAFIX.FON VGAFIX.FON 8514FIX.FON EGASYS.FON VGASYS.FON 8514SYS.FON Most systems are installed with the VGA driver and then upgraded to a specific video card driver. Chances are you have only the 3 VGA fonts decompressed onto your hard drive. You'll need your Windows disks to copy the other sizes. Make sure you have the program EXPAND.EXE on your hard drive somewhere (somewhere in your PATH is best). Find the disk you need (it can vary from set to set). Assuming the disk is in drive a:, follow the example with your choice of fonts: EXPAND A:\EGAFIX.FO_ C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\EGAFIX.FON Repeat this command for the remaining two font files. Now make sure you backup your SYSTEM.INI file! Change the following lines to the new font and reboot Windows. fonts.fon=vgasys.fon fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon oemfonts.fon=vgaoem.fon If Windows crashes or fails to load, restore your old SYSTEM.INI. Another option is to change just the icon fonts. Under the [Desktop] section of WIN.INI, add the following lines: IconTitleFaceName=Arial IconTitleSize=11 IconSpacing=86 You'll have to experiment with all three options to your personal preferences. Remember that the larger the font, the higher the icon spacing (set in the control panel) should be to prevent overlapping icon titles. * PC Computing - October 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 REMEMBER: You're In DOS ======================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 With full screen sessions, it's sometimes hard to remember you're still actually in Windows. Add the folowing line to your AUTOEXEC.BAT and reboot for the change to take effect (exit Windows first of course!) SET WIMPMT=WARNING!!! Type EXIT to return to Windows!$_$p$g * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Back to the Way You Were ======================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 If you've ever messed up your Windows groups, you know it's a pain to get thinks straightened out again. There is a simple way to restore things to their creation default. From the File menu, select Run and type "SETUP /P" Your icons will be preserved, but the original groups will either be added, or restored to their original. Any extras are left alone. * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Restricting Windows =================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Windows is easy to change around to your tastes. Problem is, no two people like the same thing. Here's a way to have YOUR computer stay the way YOU like it! The following lines can be added to the PROGMAN.INI file. If there is no section called [Restrictions], create it. If there is one, just add whichever or all of the following. EditLevel=4 Disables creation, deletion, or changing of program groups and items. NoClose=1 Makes it impossible to gracefully exit Windows (Rebooting switch still works.) NoRun=1 Disables File, Run NoFileMenu=1 Removes the File menu entirely and it's shortcut keys. NoSaveSettings=1 Keeps Windows from saving settings. * PC Computing - August 1994 If you don't want others playing with certain control panel icons, add the following lines to the CONTROL.INI file: [Don't Load] fonts=no color=no desktop=no ... or whatever icons you don't want displayed. Finding the name of each icon is easy -- they're all under the file menu. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Remote Printing =============== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Let's say you made up a document at home using your nice fonts and spiffy wordprocessor. Problem is you don't want to use your dot matrix printer, but instead the office's nice laser printer. Unfortunately, your office doesn't have the application you created with, or maybe they don't even have Windows installed. Simple trick! Create the destination printer on your computer at home with the control panel. While setting up the foreign printer, set up FILE as the port to print to. When you print using this driver, Windows will ask you for a filename. Type "C:\filename.ext". If the resulting file is small enough to fit on floppy, simply copy it to disk and back to the destination's hard drive. If it's bigger, you'll have to figure out a way to get from A to B. Maybe .ZIPping it up will do ... maybe modemming it overnight. Whatever the procedure, once it's there, here's the next step. Type COPY "C:\filename.ext LPT1: /B" (using the correct filename and printer port) at the DOS prompt. The magic of it all, it you don't even need to have Windows installed or running to use their printer! * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Cool Switch =========== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Use the ALT-TAB key combination to cycle through applications in Windows. Holding ALT, press TAB successfully until you get to the application you want. Release ALT and that window will pop up. Use ALT-SHIFT-TAB to move backwards. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 New Program Manager Icons ========================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 To add an application to the program manager, run file manager. Switch back to the program manager and make the destination group active. Using the cool switch, switch back to file manager. You'll need to resize the file manager so that you can see the destination group. Simply find the program you want, click and hold on the filename, and drag it to the program manager group. If it's a Windows application, you'll probably get it's default icon as well. Highlight the icon (back in program manager again) and press ALT-ENTER to change it's properties. Here you can give it a real name and change the icon if you wish. * PC Computing - August 1994 Another way is to not even use the file manager. You simply have the destination group out on top, hold down the ALT key, and double-click somewhere in the window where there are no icons (in between two icons will work). A program item properties box will pop up and you can use the BROWSE button to find your file. Before closing the properties box, give it a name and an icon. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Replacing the Start-Up Screen ============================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 You'll need a 16 colour 640x480 resolution picture converted to .RLE format. Paint Shop Pro is probably the best at doing this while preserving your original colours. The .RLE file cannot be larger than about 50,000 bytes! Name the graphic NEWLOGO.RLE and stick it in your WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. Create a backup of WIN.COM from the WINDOWS directory, if something goes wrong - you'll need this to get Windows running once again. In MS-DOS (not a DOS window) type the following (assuming Windows is on Drive C:) C: CD WINDOWS\SYSTEM COPY /B WIN.CNF+VGALOGO.LGO+NEWLOGO.RLE C:\WINDOWS\WIN.COM Type "DIR WINDOWS\WIN.*" to see if WIN.COM is less than 65,536 bytes. If not, restore the original WIN.COM to restart Windows and try a less detailed graphic. * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Warp Speed Hard Drive ===================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 -> Windows for Workgroups Windows installs with 32bit DISK access enabled by default (if you chose a permanent swap file and your hard drive can handle it) and 32bit FILE access disabled by default. A simple matter of turning on 32bit FILE access should net you a double or higher speed increase in program loading time and general hard drive access. The cache size is set based on your system memory, but you can change it readily. The final step is to add "1024 128" to the end of the SMARTDRV.EXE line in your AUTOEXEC.BAT if it doesn't already exist. SmartDrive is replaced in Windows by 32bit FILE access, so the 128 reduces your cache for floppy disk sized use. If you are using a CD-ROM drive, you might want to up the 128 a little. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Fewer System Crashes! ===================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Add the line "MaxBPs=768" to the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI. You'll have fewer system crashes than before, largely because Windows refuses to run some applications in situations where it knows you don't have enough memory or resources. * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 NotePad Fix =========== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Notice that whenever you try to open a file with notepad that it defaults to "*.TXT"? Here's a way to change that. As usual, make a back copy of NOTEPAD.EXE incase something doesn't quite work. Launch WRITE.EXE and load in NOTEPAD.EXE. Be sure to click on NO CONVERSION! Select Find and type TXT and press ENTER. WRITE will highlight the first occurance of TXT. Click twice on FIND NEXT. You want to change the third occurance and click on CANCEL to stop the search. Replace "TXT" with "* " -- make sure there are two spaces after the asterisk. Save and exit from WRITE. Next time you launch NOTEPAD, it will display all the files in the directory instead of just those ending in ".TXT". * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 More DOS Buffer Space ===================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 If you have a sound or video card that uses DMA with a non-Windows application, you should increase your DMA's buffer size so you don't fill the buffer and crash the system. Edit SYSTEM.INI and either add or change the line "DMABufferSize=" to equal 128. Restart Windows for the change to take effect. * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Mouse Tricks ============ -> Added on October 30, 1994 By default, Windows displays menus aligned to the left. To make it more lefty - friendly and right aligned, add "MenuDropAlignment=1" to the [Windows] section of your WIN.INI file. Having trouble making a double-click work? Chances are you're moving the mouse in between clicks. To give yourself a bit of moving room, add the folowing to the [Windows] section in your WIN.INI: DoubleClickHeight=10 DoubleClickWidth=10 You can use whatever values you'd like. You might also want to check the control panel's mouse icon and see what the double click response time is set to. * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Customizing Program Manager =========================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 Normally, Program Manager's title bar says "Program Manager". If you want to personalize it or have it display some snappy comment, add the Program Manager to your start-up group. It won't load two copies, just change it's name on the titlebar without changing anything else. Simply open up the start-up group, go to the file menu and select new, program item, and fill in the blanks. Your new title description, PROGMAN.EXE for the command line, and a new icon if you wish. The new icon will be displayed when you minimize the program manager. * PC Computing - August 1994 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 .INI File Settings ================== -> Added on October 30, 1994 The following are applicable where boolean logic is used: 1 On Yes True 0 Off No False There is one known line in SYSTEM.INI that MUST use a 0 or 1. All other flags in this line are the equivalent of 0. This is the COMxFIFO= line under the [386Enh] section. (x=whichever com port in question) To make matters worse, the default is on. Since almost anything will turn off this line, why not remove it completely? If you have 16550 UART's, Windows will recognize them and act accordingly. If you don't have 16550's then Windows will automatically turn FIFO support off. No need to add extra baggage to your SYSTEM.INI * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Possible "BUG" in SYSTEM.INI ============================ -> Added on October 30, 1994 -> Windows for Workgroups There is a "BUG" in Windows for Workgroups 3.11. The line "NoEMMDriver=" with any TRUE flag (TRUE, ON, etc.) will disable 32bit FILE access in some cases. An even more damaging problem occurs with DriveSpace (MS-DOS 6.22). When started, Windows will clear the screen after the logo and simply hang there. To make life easier, make sure there is no "NoEMMDriver=" line in your SYSTEM.INI file. * jamie.hermans@tech-spk.alive.ampr.ab.ca or FidoNet: Jamie Hermans @ 1:342/707 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 Reasons for a PERMANENT SWAP FILE ================================= -> Added on October 30, 1994 Here is some VALID technical info you can sink your teeth into. In all cases I would recommend a 2meg swap (or higher - depending on your physical RAM installed), just to reduce the memory search overhead. In the text that follows, PSF = Permanent Swap File. It's advisable you enable 32bit DISK access if possible, and 32bit FILE access if you are using Windows for Workgroups. When you have no PSF, Windows will scan every 1/2 second for a low memory situation and examine all discardable segments, moving ones that have been referenced to the head of the LRU list. If there is a memory shortage (I'm not sure how it's defined, but I think it's related to the "LRUSweepLowWater=" setting in SYSTEM.INI), discardable segments are discarded until there is enough to load the application. It's nearly the same as doing a "GlobalCompact()" every 1/2 second. On a 386 machine, it's just not going to be able to keep up and do lots of other work. With a PSF, Windows doesn't do any memory scanning. Instead, the Virtual Memory Manager combined with the DPMI server starts scanning pages only when there is a memory shortage and stops once a certain amount of free memory is freed up or there is nothing left to page out. Also, without a PSF, whenever a DOS application starts, Windows does a "GlobalCompact()" and automatically discards all discardable segments, no matter how much memory is free. This naturally takes some time, and generally, almost all the discardable segments are needed right away and have to be reread from disk. With a PSF, nothing is discarded until there is a memory shortage. That's why starting DOS sessions without a PSF is slower than with a PSF. This is documented in a part of the memory management chapter in Windows Internals, a book out of the Andrew Schulman series on programming. The guy who wrote Windows Internals disassembled most of Windows KERNEL and USER and then traced them using a hardware debugger. * jeff.marchi@pcgfx.com 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴