MJLEPPER@MTUS5.BITNET (02/10/91)
I'm currently experimenting with Win3 on a 12MHz 286 computer with 1 Meg RAM
and a 40 Meg HD. I've raised a few questions during this time that I can't
figure out.
1 ) While formatting a disk through the file manager, _ALL_ activity stops,
this also occurs during copies. Why can't the format become another
process, or does it really need all that processor time.
2 ) I've experimented with various configurations of HIMEM.SYS and SMARTDRV.SYS
and have found that I get the most memory available, and the best perform-
ance if I have HIMEM installed, w/o SMARTDRV. If I get more memory (2.5 or
4 Meg ), should I enable the cache?
3 ) Switching between DOS apps and Windows is painfully slow, would this be
inproved with more RAM, or more free disk space ( I only have 5 Meg free
on the HD )
I appreciate any information, especially concerning question #1.
Matthew J. Lepper
Internet:
mjlepper@balance.cs.mtu.edu ( preferred )
mjlepper@mtus5.cts.mtu.edu
Bitnet:
mjlepper@mtus5lhotka@incstar.uucp (02/14/91)
In article <91041.010342MJLEPPER@MTUS5.BITNET>, MJLEPPER@MTUS5.BITNET writes: > I'm currently experimenting with Win3 on a 12MHz 286 computer with 1 Meg RAM > and a 40 Meg HD. I've raised a few questions during this time that I can't > figure out. > > 1 ) While formatting a disk through the file manager, _ALL_ activity stops, > this also occurs during copies. Why can't the format become another > process, or does it really need all that processor time. > Windows doesn't get this capability unless you are running with a 386 machine with at least 2 megs of RAM. On the other hand, I have tried this on a 25 mhz 386 with 4 megs of RAM and it still locked up the whole machine... Not too impressive... Alternately I got the machine to keep running, but the format stopped whenever the window was in the background... > 2 ) I've experimented with various configurations of HIMEM.SYS and SMARTDRV.SYS > and have found that I get the most memory available, and the best perform- > ance if I have HIMEM installed, w/o SMARTDRV. If I get more memory (2.5 or > 4 Meg ), should I enable the cache? Good question - I look forward to the answers on this one! Virtually all of our machines have at least 2 meg and we leave the cache turned on, prefering to let Windows install what it feels it needs, but I would be most interested to hear whether this is a wise move... > > 3 ) Switching between DOS apps and Windows is painfully slow, would this be > inproved with more RAM, or more free disk space ( I only have 5 Meg free > on the HD ) > Virtually all problems with speed can be solved by adding memory. 1 meg is never enough to be practical for Windows in my experience. You need at least 512k extra, more like another meg or two. Especially if you start trying to run larger things like W4W you'll find that you need at least another 512k to make the application run fast enough to be useful. We have a 286 with only 512k added, but that 512k makes a VERY large difference in speed - no comparison to a 1 meg machine!! ______________________________________________________________________ / Rockford Lhotka INCSTAR Corp \ | Applications Project Leader 1990 Industrial Blvd | | incstar!lhotka@uunet.uu.net PO Box 285 | \ 612/779-1701 Stillwater, MN 55082 / -------------Amiga - The computer for the creative mind.--------------
richardh@hpopd.pwd.hp.com (Richard Hancock) (02/15/91)
/ hpopd:comp.windows.ms / MJLEPPER@MTUS5.BITNET / 6:03 am Feb 10, 1991 / >2 ) I've experimented with various configurations of HIMEM.SYS and SMARTDRV.SYS > and have found that I get the most memory available, and the best perform- > ance if I have HIMEM installed, w/o SMARTDRV. If I get more memory (2.5 or > 4 Meg ), should I enable the cache? I definitely recommend using SMARTDRV. Just in case you're worried about "dedicating" memory to disk-caching, SMARTDRV will actually surrender memory to Windows if Windows is running low. >3 ) Switching between DOS apps and Windows is painfully slow, would this be > inproved with more RAM, or more free disk space ( I only have 5 Meg free > on the HD ) Enhanced mode is MUCH better at switching than is Standard mode, ie. buy a 386.
bchin@is-next.umd.edu (Bill Chin) (02/17/91)
>/ hpopd:comp.windows.ms / MJLEPPER@MTUS5.BITNET / 6:03 am Feb 10, 1991 / > >>2) I've experimented with various configurations of HIMEM.SYS and SMARTDRV.SYS >> and have found that I get the most memory available, and the best perform- >> ance if I have HIMEM installed, w/o SMARTDRV. If I get more memory (2.5 or >> 4 Meg ), should I enable the cache? >I definitely recommend using SMARTDRV. Just in case you're worried about >"dedicating" memory to disk-caching, SMARTDRV will actually surrender memory to >Windows if Windows is running low. SMARTDRIVE won't release memory while Windows is running... The second parameter to the SMARTDRIVE config.sys line controls how much memory SMARTDRIVE allocates when Windows executes. I believe the shareware program HYPERDISK also supports this. If you've only got 2mb of RAM, then I've found that Windows needs the memory much more than the disk cache. So at 2mb of below, don't run SMARTDRIVE (be sure to up your BUFFERS to around 30). >>3 ) Switching between DOS apps and Windows is painfully slow, would this be >> inproved with more RAM, or more free disk space ( I only have 5 Meg free >> on the HD ) >Enhanced mode is MUCH better at switching than is Standard mode, ie. buy a 386. When switching in standard mode, Windows takes an image of your DOS session (~640k) and writes it to a temporary file. Adding additional XMS memory won't help in standard mode DOS app switching. You may try pointing the TEMP environment variable to a RAM drive if you've got the extra RAM. Or a *really* fast HD. Get a 386(IMHO). 386SX motherboards are ~$425 and 386 motherboards are ~$600. More memory *will* help Windows apps like WfW or Excel. -- Bill Chin internet: bchin@is-next.umd.edu MS-Windows Programmer NeXT: bchin@sinai.umd.edu Applied Imaging Lab University of Maryland, College Park *Standard Disclaimers Apply* -- Bill Chin internet: bchin@is-next.umd.edu MS-Windows Programmer NeXT: bchin@sinai.umd.edu Applied Imaging Lab University of Maryland, College Park