powsner@csb1.nlm.nih.gov (Seth M Powsner) (06/15/90)
Might be able to reduce the amount of RAM required by TOPS by dropping
back to version 2.x. Might check with TOPS (76004.2075@CompuServe.Com).
Under version 2.x Dos style printer output had to be routed through
a larger TSR called NetPrint. But Word probably produces postscript
ready to go. TOPS should be able to tell you what the minimum configuration
is. Personally, I don't print much from my PC so I use PRN2FILE to
save printer output to a file. Then I exit word processing or whatever
and let a batch file load up my TOPS driver, ship the file to the printer,
unload everything, and back to work. Works like a charm under 2.x.
TOPS Tech Support did not use to be very fast replying to Internet so...
Anyone know if they have a direct Internet address?
Seth M Powsner powsner.medinf@yccatsmtp.ycc.yale.edu
powsner@yalemed.bitnetsrb813@csc.anu.oz (06/15/90)
I am trying to squeeze TOPS/DOS 3.0 onto a NEC PowerMate 1+ with only
640K memory. Buying some more memory would be the answer, but to do that
I have to buy an extended memory card and it proves to be a bit expensive
(>> $500). I want the PC to use a LaserWriter and be a file client.
I have cut everything to the bone (in TOPS.DAT, CONFIG.SYS, etc).
The configuration is:
NEC PowerMate 1+, 640K RAM
TOPS/DOS 3.0: ALAP, PSTACK,
TOPSTALK,
TOPSCLNT, TOPSRDR,
PAPSTACK, PNETQ, PCLNT
Microsoft Mouse Driver
Microsoft Word v5.0
After loading the mouse driver and loading the above TOPS modules, PMINFO
informs me that I have 343K of memory available. This is enough to start
Word 5.0, but when I try to print the document (LPT1 is routed to the
LaserWriter), Word says that the printer is not ready. When I remove the
file client modules (TOPSCLNT and TOPSRDR) Word will print. Hence Word just
doesn't have enough memory left to do printing when everything is loaded.
a) How can I free a little more memory? I _have_ to be able to use
the mouse, so not loading the mouse driver is not enough.
b) Can I get Word to work-around the problem?
c) NEC Canberra tells me that the PowerMate 1+ actually comes with
1Mb of physical memory...does anyone know of any trick to enable
it as extended memory?
Thanks in advance for any help, suggestions (or comments on how horrid DOS is).
Steven Ball, Department of Computer Science, ANU
E-mail: steve@anucsd.anu.oz.au Ph. (06) 2495147
Snail-mail: GPO Box 4, CANBERRA CITY ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!