[comp.windows.ms] Windows 386 Problems

anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu (Jess Anderson) (11/16/89)

I'm having a problem with Windows 386.  I have a
new machine, Club American 333C (AMI Bios) with
a Sigma Laserview 19" monitor and an MSC PC Mouse II.

First problem: during Win386 setup, my machine is
not listed on the machine options, so I chose Compaq.
Installing screen drivers is a bit of a complex deal,
but Sigma provides an instruction sheet and a disk
with the Windows/386 drivers etc on it.  I install
the mouse drivers in the prescribed fashion.

I'm configured the right way, I think.  The behavior
is this.  I get in directory WIN386.  I start the
thing by typing WIN386.  The cursor goes down one
line, about a half second passes, and the screen
in cleared and I'm back at the DOS prompt (not very
useful, eh?).

I called Microsoft (it's Windows 386, v. 2.11); no
help there (nice person, but no help).  I called
Sigma, they tell me I have the latest version of their
stuff (the monitor is brand new).  I called Club American,
where so far nobody has gotten back to me (maybe they're
looking into it).

Any suggestions?  (By now, I don't even swear at the
way Windows installation has to be done anymore.)  I'm
up for anything.  Because I *have* to have Windows up
to do my job, I installed Windows 286 too, and that
works fine.


==Jess Anderson===Academic Computing Center=====Univ. Wisconsin-Madison=====
| Work: Rm. 2160, 1210 West Dayton St., Madison WI 53706, Ph. 608/263-6988 |
| Home: 2838 Stevens St., 53705, 608/238-4833   Bitnet: anderson@wiscmacc  |
==Internet: anderson@macc.wisc.edu====UUCP:{}!uwvax!macc.wisc.edu!anderson==

don.roy@canremote.uucp (DON ROY) (11/21/89)

Jess - you may find that the Version of the AMI BIOS used in your 
computer is not compatible with Windows/386. The following may be of 
some help:

AMI BIOS shows a 16-digit identification number near the bottom of the 
screen when the machine is warm- or cold-booted. The following is an 
example ID number:
.
   DAMI 3601 092588 K8
.
The first character is a "D" if the BIOS includes advanced diagnostic 
routines built into the CMOS RAM setup program of the BIOS.
The next three characters indicate the type of motherboard in which the 
BIOS is installed (e.g. "AMI" for an AMI motherboard, "CNT" for a Chips 
and Technology motherboard).
.
The next four digits are the license code of the manufacturer of the 
motherboard and/or computer for which the BIOS is supplied (e.g. Code 
3601 is a Mylex motherboard).
.
The next six digits are the date code (AMI uses a date code rather than 
a
version number to identify its BIOS versions). This date code is in an 
"mmddyy" format (e.g. 092588 for September 25, 1988). The latest GENUINE
AMI date code in use as of 5/16/89 is 033089.
.
The last four digits comprise the keyboard-controller identification 
number, which is K0 for a non-AMI keyboard controller or K1 through K8 
for an AMI keyboard-controller version number. The latest keyboard 
controller version is K8. Version
K7 definitely causes problems with Windows and/or network software and 
should be upgraded. An Identification Number of K0 indicates a non-AMI 
keyboard controller which may not work properly.
.
To obtain an upgrade to an AMI BIOS, contact the manufacturer of your 
computer system or motherboard. If you need assistance in determining 
the correct firm to contact for the upgrade, call American Megatrends at
(404) 263-8181.

This is information provided by Microsoft. Hope it helps. Rgds...DON
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claude.vidal@canremote.uucp (CLAUDE VIDAL) (11/27/89)

//]I'm having a problem with Windows 386.  I have a
//]new machine, Club American 333C (AMI Bios) with
//]a Sigma Laserview 19" monitor and an MSC PC Mouse II.
//]
//]I'm configured the right way, I think.  The behavior
//]is this.  I get in directory WIN386.  I start the
//]thing by typing WIN386.  The cursor goes down one
//]line, about a half second passes, and the screen
//]in cleared and I'm back at the DOS prompt (not very
//]useful, eh?).

Can't give you that bottom line answer, but at least some
thoughts...

I believe  the first  thing WIN386.EXE  does is  have its LIM EMS
manager  do   its  thing   (assessing  how   many  K's   of  EMS,
initializing, setting vectors, etc.); all this occurs before  you
even see the (blue) title screen.  So chances are you're  bombing
out during that process; the  286 version doesn't have that  'EMS
manager' front end, as far as I know, which would explain how  it
runs on your system.

Suggest you check for EMS drivers in your config.sys: Windows  is
not  sociable  with  other  EMS  managers.   I presume you're not
running under another protected mode piece of software.

How  did  you  respond  to  the  memory configuration part during
Windows/386 installation?
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 ~ EZ-Reader 1.21 ~ Windows/386...faut l'faire!

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