daavid@chaus.cats.oz.au (Daavid Turnbull) (10/17/90)
I am currently working on a project that requires multitasking under msdos. I have bought qemm 386 + API developers kit etc. Have looked at UNIX, AMX and windows 3. The target machine has 386(sx) architecture. The application requires a number of high priority background tasks to run without hickups, including some port i/o. The foreground tasks include text browsing and i/o through the same port. The application will comprise of a number of large, up to 500 odd K, executables, hence the 386 architecture target. UNIX was rejected because of large lisence fees, speed and the client did not like it. AMX was considered because it has a proven track record with us and is being used elsewhere on the same project however the 386 version lacks maturity and does not support msdos applications/tools. Windows 3 was rejected because it does not take advantage of the 386 architecture and lack of maturity/tools. QEMM/DV option is the one we are trying to run with but I am experienceing teething problems, primarily with qemm. One option discussed was to replace qemm with some other memory manager but it would appear that this cannot be done without cutting out the ground beneath DV's feet. Current problem is qemm's effect on the development environment. Hardware consists of 386DX box's (everex & micronics) esdi hard disks, western digital ethernet cards, vga, mouse (logitech & microsoft). Software is msdos 4.01, qemm 5.00 and Sun pcnfs 3.0.1. Unless the network is fired up first without qemm before firing it up with qemm, with a warm boot inbetween, the machine will hang within a minute or two of booting regardless of which applications are run or not run (no activity over the net required). The current solution to this problem has been to not switch the machines off - hardly satisfactory. The current problem is symtomatic of the hit an miss approach that appears to be required in configuring qemm, it feels like an overrated toy. (My personal and current opinion only.) How is one supposed to know if a particular configuration is stable? I would be grateful for knowledge of any thoughts, experiences and ideas. I can be contacted via ACSnet as daavid@chaus.cats.oz or by fax to daavid on (61) 3 543 6702. I offer my appreciation in advance.