heintze.fmcsse.enet.dec.com (Sieg Heintze) (10/05/90)
I have a three dimensional non-linear differential equation I want to solve.
Specifically it is the heat equation. I propose to use the alternating
direction (ADI) method. Bascially this amounts to simulating the heating of
block of "stuff" with a very small (but intense) laser beam. The ADI method
requires great amounts of memory. In fact, the more memory I have the better
my approximations are. I would expect the simulation to run for many days.
I suppose a 286 is not the ideal machine for this but it happens to be what I
have for this school assignment.
What options are available for running my C++ code (via TC++ or Zortech) in
protected mode that won't break my budget? Here are the ones I know of (but
these are generally too expensive).
(1) Windows 3.0. $150 (for basic kit) + $350 (for SDK) + $150 (for additional
monitor and video addapter) = $650. Any comments on this - is it worth it?
(2) Rational DOS extender $5000 (if I promise not to sell more than 20 copies
of my program I can qualify for the discount price of $1000 - what a bargain!).
(3) Pharlap DOS extender. I don't think this works on 286 machines.
(4) Minix ~$200?. There is no C++ compiler for this that I know of. I heard
a rumor that this will indeed run in protected mode however. Can anyone verify
this? I suppose I could buy a C++ to C translator. What a drag.
(5) ESIX. $800 (sofware) + $625 (for 386 20 Mhz nocache mother board) + $400
(for memory) + ~$625 (for additional disk space - I'm told I need about 100 Mb)
= $2450. Maybe someday. This still does not include C++ compiler. I could
probably use GNU. I'm told stay away from 386SX because it is not truly
compatible and not run ESIX device drives.
(6) SYSV286. How much does this cost? How much memory does this require? How
much disk space? I think there is a news group on this - perhaps I'll post a
query there.
What other options are there?
Why does it cost so much to run in protected mode?
Thanks
heintze@fmcsse.enet.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corporation
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