tjdst7@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Todd J Derr) (06/19/91)
uggh! I have a 386/sx16 with 2MB of RAM and an 18ms Conner drive... and i'm TRYING to run multiple DOS sessions BUT... things get very slooooow, (to say the least) the DOS apps I am running are pretty simple (NU4.5 NDD testing floppy A: and Procomm [old version]... but anything of the like will do...) has anybody done any comparisons running windows on different configurations? specifically, i want to know - how much adding an extra MEG or two of RAM would help me - how much difference I would see on a 386-25,33 or even a 486 IN an unrelated subject, I have problems starting many DOS apps from windows, although they work fine if I go to DOS first and then start them.... also, i can't ever set the PIF settings to Background or run in a Window (for ANY dos apps) or i will get the "suspended until run full-screen messages) please don't tell me to RTFM, i got a bundle job without a FM (waiting for 3.1 to buy because undoubtedly it will come out two days after i buy 3.00!) BTW, I have SmartDrive releasing all RAM to Windows, and am running a 640x480x16 display and yes, i m in 386enh mode.(if it matters) thanks. Todd J. Derr tjdst7@unix.cis.pitt.EDU "I speak for everyone BUT myself."
DLB@psuvm.psu.edu (Dan Bernitt) (06/20/91)
I presume you're running in enhanced 386 mode? Some observations:
1) Enhanced 386 mode is completely intolerable on a 2M machine, marginal on a
3M machine, and quite tolerable with 4M. Under 4M a faster processor won't
help at all. Once you get to and beyond 4M, compute bound jobs will
certainly be helped by another processor but that really has nothing to do
with Windows. A more than 20-year old rule of thumb from the world of
mainframe computers that still holds true: If you have a limited amount of
money available to upgrade your computer system, spend it on more memory!
That's where you'll get the most performance gain/buck. A few exceptions
exist, of course, as they do for all "thumb rules".
If you're restricted to the 2M, run in standard mode. You lose the
multi-tasking and windowing of DOS programs but performance is okay.
2) DOS programs that use graphics are limited to full-screen operation in
Windows. The programs you run may actually be doing graphics, or Windows
may just think they are. In the PIF "display options" section, turn off
the high graphics buttons for video memory and monitor ports.