From: Jamal Mazrui <74444.1076@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject:      MS Knowledge Base on Windows 95/DOS
To: Multiple recipients of list EASI <EASI@SJUVM.STJOHNS.EDU>
Content-Type: text

As my employer recently upgraded to Windows 95, I've been investigating how
to optimally configure a computer to run a mix of GUI and DOS applications
with speech access.  Since the Windows 3.1 environment simply loaded from
DOS, it was generally best to make the DOS prompt the default platform, and
then run Windows when GUI applications were needed.  With Windows 95, on the
other hand, it seems generally best to make the GUI environment the default,
and then run DOS sessions when needed.  The choice, however, is less clear
than previously, because three types of DOS sessions are possible:  (1) DOS
before the GUI is launched--with BootGUI=0 in MSDOS.SYS, (2) DOS in a
concurrent GUI window--whether maximized or not, and (3) DOS after the GUI is
suspended--either manually or automatically with the shutdown process.  Each
type of DOS session apparently has pros and cons regarding performance,
stability, and complexity of setup.

In an effort to learn as much as possible about the trade-offs of these
different approaches, I searched extensively for electronic documentation on
the subject.  I found that the "Introducing Windows 95" manual hardly
mentions DOS sessions.  The "Windows 95 Resource Kit" does address it.
The most current and complete information, however, is in the
"Microsoft Knowledge Base," an online, cumulative compilation of tech support
responses.  I spent several hours searching it on CompuServe, continually
narrowing the articles selected to those that contributed key elements of
understanding, and then ordering them in a logical sequence.

I am posting this collection of authoritative articles on Windows 95 and DOS,
believing that many others may benefit, either directly or by sharing the
material with their computer specialists.  For ease of reading, I've removed
indexing codes and duplicate headers.  The contents follows:


Knowledge Base
Product Name: Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Product Version: 95
Operating System: WINDOWS
COPYRIGHT Microsoft Corporation, 1995, 1996


Contents of the Windows 95 Msdos.sys File

How to Create an Msdos.sys File Larger Than 1024 Bytes

How to Boot to a Command Prompt by Default

How to Create Default PIF for MS-DOS-Based Programs

Settings Used in the APPS.INF File

General Tips for Using MS-DOS Mode

How to Run Automatic Commands When Starting in MS-DOS Mode

How to Install Old MS-DOS Tools in Windows 95

----------
 Title: Contents of the Windows 95 Msdos.sys File
Document Number: Q118579           Publ Date: 23-FEB-1996

 SUMMARY
 =======
 The Windows 95 Setup program creates a file called Msdos.sys in the root
 folder and sets the file's Read-Only, System, and Hidden attributes. Unlike
 the Msdos.sys file in MS-DOS, this file is a text file. It contains a
 [Paths] section that lists the locations for other Windows 95 files (such
 as the registry) and an [Options] section that you can use to personalize
 the boot process.
 MORE INFORMATION
 ================
 The [Paths] section can contain the following settings:
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 HostWinBootDrv=<Root of Boot Drive>
 Default:  C
 Purpose:  Specifies the location for the root of the boot drive.
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 WinBootDir=<Windows Directory>
 Default:  Directory specified during Setup (for example, C:\WINDOWS)
 Purpose:  Lists the location of the necessary files for booting.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 WinDir=<Windows Directory>
 Default:  Directory specified during Setup (for example, C:\WINDOWS)
 Purpose:  Lists the location of the Windows 95 directory specified
           during Setup.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 The [Options] section can contain the following settings and must be
 manually inserted:
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootDelay=<Seconds>
 Default:  2
 Purpose:  Sets the amount of time the "Starting Windows" message
           remains on the screen before Windows 95 continues to boot.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootSafe=<Boolean>
 Default:  0
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 forces your computer to boot in safe mode.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootGUI=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 forces the loading of the GUI interface. A
           setting of 0 disables the loading of the GUI interface.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootKeys=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 enables the use of the function key boot
           options (that is, F4, F5, F6, and F8). A setting of 0 disables
           the use of these function keys during the boot process
 NOTE: A setting of BootKeys=0 overrides the use of BootDelay=n.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootMenu=<Boolean>
 Default:  0
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 enables the Startup menu. If this setting is 0,
           then you must press the F8 key when "Starting Windows 95"
           appears to invoke the Startup menu.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootMenuDefault=<Number>
 Default:  1 if the system is running correctly
           3 if the system hung in the previous instance
 Purpose:  Use this setting to set the default menu item for startup.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootMenuDelay=<Number>
 Default:  30
 Purpose:  This setting is used to set the number of seconds your system
           will pause on the Startup menu. If the number of seconds counts
           down to 0 without intervention, the BootMenuDefault is activated.
 NOTE: This option is not functional unless BootMenu=1 has been added to the
 [Options] section of the Msdos.sys file.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootMulti=<Boolean>
 Default:  0
 Purpose:  A setting of 0 disables the multi-boot option. (For example,
           with a setting of 0 you cannot boot your previous operating
           system.) A setting of 1 enables the F4 and F8 keys to boot your
           previous operating system.
 NOTE: This setting is set to 0 by default to prevent you from
       inadvertently starting MS-DOS and damaging data by running a
       disk utility that does not recognize long file names.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootWarn=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 0 disables the safe mode boot warning message and
           the Startup menu.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 BootWin=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 forces Windows 95 to load at startup. A setting
           of 0 disables Windows 95 as your default operating system (this
           is useful only if you have MS-DOS version 5.x or 6.x on the
           computer).
 NOTE: Pressing F4 inverts the default only if BootMulti=1. (For example,
       pressing the F4 key with a setting of 0 forces Windows 95 to load.)
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 DoubleBuffer=<Boolean>
 Default:  0
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 is a conditional setting that enables double-
           buffering for controllers that need it (for example, SCSI
           controllers). A setting of 2 is an unconditional setting that
           enables double-buffering regardless of whether the controller
           needs it or not.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 DBLSpace=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 allows the automatic loading of the DBLSPACE.BIN
           file. A setting of 0 prevents the automatic loading of this
           file.
 NOTE: Windows 95 uses either Dblspace.bin or Drvspace.bin if either is
 present in the root folder of the boot drive at startup. To disable a
 compression driver from being loaded at startup, use both settings in the
 Msdos.sys file. For example:
    DBLSpace=0
    DRVSpace=0
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 DRVSpace=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 allows the automatic loading of the DRVSPACE.BIN
           file. A setting of 0 prevents the automatic loading of this
           file.
 NOTE: Windows 95 uses either Dblspace.bin or Drvspace.bin if either is
 present in the root folder of the boot drive at startup. To disable a
 compression driver from being loaded at startup, use both settings in the
 Msdos.sys file. For example:
    DBLSpace=0
    DRVSpace=0
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 LoadTop=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose:  A setting of 0 does not let Windows 95 load COMMAND.COM or
           DRVSPACE.BIN/DBLSPACE.BIN at the top of 640K. If you are having
           compatibility problems with software that makes assumptions about
           the available memory try setting this to 0.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 Logo=<Boolean>
 Default:  1
 Purpose: A setting of 1 forces the default Windows 95 logo to appear. A
          setting of 0 prevents the animated logo from being displayed.
          A setting of 0 also avoids hooking a variety of interrupts
          that can create incompatibilities with certain third-party
          memory managers.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 Network=<Boolean>
 Default:  0
 Purpose:  A setting of 1 means the network was installed and adds "Safe
           mode with network support" as an option on the Windows 95
           Startup menu.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 The Msdos.sys file also contains a section that contains seemingly useless
 information. This information is necessary to support programs that expect
 the Msdos.sys file to be at least 1024 bytes in length. For example, if an
 anti-virus program detects that the Msdos.sys file is less than 1024 bytes,
 it may assume that the Msdos.sys file is infected with a virus. If you
 delete the Msdos.sys file your computer will not start.
 The following statement, followed by a series of "X"s, appears in the
 Msdos.sys file:
    ;The following lines are required for compatibility with other programs.
    ;Do not remove them (Msdos.sys needs to be >1024 bytes).
 Since each line begins with a semicolon (;), the lines are not read by the
 system.
 How to Edit the Msdos.sys File
 ------------------------------
 If you want to change any of the values in the Msdos.sys file, follow these
 steps to edit the file:
  1. Click the Start button, point to Find, then click Files Or Folders.
  2. In the Named box, type "msdos.sys" (without quotation marks). In the
     Look In box, click your boot drive (usually drive C). Click the
     Find Now button.
  3. Use the right mouse button to click the Msdos.sys file and then click
     Properties on the menu that appears.
  4. Click the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to remove these attributes
     from the Msdos.sys file and then click OK.
  5. Use the right mouse button to click the Msdos.sys file and then click
     Open With on the menu that appears.
  6. In the "Choose the program you want to use" box, click WordPad and
     then click OK.
  7. Make the changes you want to the Msdos.sys file. When you are done,
     save the file and then quit WordPad.
  8. Use the right mouse button to click the Msdos.sys file and then click
     Properties on the menu that appears.
  9. Click the Read-Only and Hidden check boxes to set these attributes for
     the file and then click OK. Close the Find window.
 10. Quit and then restart Windows.

----------
 Title: How to Create an Msdos.sys File Larger Than 1024 Bytes
Document Number: Q129998           Publ Date: 15-MAR-1996

 SUMMARY
 =======
 Some programs expect the Msdos.sys file to be at least 1024 bytes in
 length. If it is not, these programs may not work correctly. For example,
 if an anti-virus program detects that the Msdos.sys file is less than 1024
 bytes in length, the program may assume that the Msdos.sys file is infected
 with a virus.
 If you use the SYS command to transfer system files from your Windows 95
 Startup disk to the hard disk, the Msdos.sys file that is copied to the
 hard disk is less than 1024 bytes in length. This article describes how to
 create an Msdos.sys file that is at least 1024 bytes in length.
 MORE INFORMATION
 ================
 To create an Msdos.sys file that is at least 1024 bytes in length, follow
 these steps:
 1. At a command prompt, type the following lines, pressing ENTER after
    each line:
       attrib -s -h -r c:\msdos.sys
       edit c:\msdos.sys
 2. Add the following lines to the Msdos.sys file
    [Paths]
    WinDir=<Windows>
    WinBootDir=<Windows>
    HostWinBootDrv=C
    [Options]
    BootGUI=1
    ;
    ;Some programs on this system expect the Msdos.sys file to be at least
    ;1024 bytes in length; hence, the following lines create an Msdos.sys
    ;file that is greater than 1024 bytes in length. These lines are not
    ;needed for Windows 95 to boot or run.
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxb
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxc
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxd
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxe
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxf
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxg
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxi
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxj
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxk
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxl
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxm
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxn
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxo
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxp
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxq
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxr
    ;xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs
    where <Windows> is the folder containing Windows 95 (for example,
    C:\Windows). If you are using disk compression software (such as
    DriveSpace), change the letter in the "HostWinBootDrv=" line to
    the letter of the host drive.
    You must add the lines with all the Xs to make the Msdos.sys file
    at least 1024 bytes in length.
 3. Save the Msdos.sys file and then exit Edit.com
 4. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:
       attrib +s +h +r c:\msdos.sys
 5. Restart your computer.

----------
 Title: How to Boot to a Command Prompt by Default
Document Number: Q141721           Publ Date: 22-DEC-1995

 SUMMARY
 =======
 This article describes how to configure Windows 95 to boot to a command
 prompt automatically.
 MORE INFORMATION
 ================
 To configure Windows 95 to boot to a command prompt automatically,
 follow these steps:
 1. Restart your computer. When you see the "Starting Windows 95"
    message, press the F8 key, and then choose Safe Mode Command
    Prompt Only from the Startup menu.
 2. Type the following lines. Press ENTER after each line:
       attrib -s -h -r msdos.sys
       edit msdos.sys
 3. Change the line that reads
       BootGUI=1
    to read:
       BootGUI=0
 4. Save the Msdos.sys file and then close the editor.
 5. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:
       attrib +s +h +r msdos.sys
 6. Restart your computer.
 When the computer restarts, it automatically boots to a command prompt.
 To load the Windows 95 graphical user interface (GUI), type "win"
 (without quotation marks) at the command prompt.

----------
 Title: How to Create Default PIF for MS-DOS-Based Programs
Document Number: Q131877           Publ Date: 31-AUG-1995

 SUMMARY
 =======

 This article describes how to create a default program information file
 (PIF) for MS-DOS-based programs.

 MORE INFORMATION
 ================

 A default PIF file for MS-DOS-based programs is used for those MS-DOS-based
 programs that are not shipped with their own PIF files, and are started by
 clicking Run on the Start menu. To create a default PIF file for MS-DOS-
 based programs, follow these steps:

 1. Open the Windows folder.

 2. On the File menu, point to New, then click Shortcut.

 3. In the Command Line box, type "command.com" (without quotation
    marks), then click Next.

 4. In the "Select a name for the shortcut" box, type "_DEFAULT"
    (without quotation marks), then click Finish.

 5. Use the right mouse button to click the new _DEFAULT.PIF file, then
    click Properties on the menu that appears.

 6. Set the properties you want for the _DEFAULT.PIF file, then click
    OK.

 7. Restart Windows 95.

----------
 Title: Settings Used in the APPS.INF File
Document Number: Q130971           Publ Date: 28-AUG-1995

 SUMMARY
 =======

 The APPS.INF file contains information about the manner in which
 MS-DOS-based programs are run. Each program listed in the [PIF95] section
 contains its own section, with the settings for the program listed there.
 This article explains the abbreviated codes used in these sections.

 MORE INFORMATION
 ================

 Name          Key    Description                               Default
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 WINDOWED     "win"   Open windowed instead of full-screen         Y
 BACKGROUND   "bgd"   Run in background                            Y
 EXCLUSIVE    "exc"   Exclusive mode                            Ignored
 DETECTIDLE   "dit"   Idle sensitivity                             Y
 LOWLOCKED    "lml"   Lock conventional memory                  Ignored
 EMSLOCKED    "eml"   Lock EMS memory                              N
 XMSLOCKED    "xml"   Lock XMS memory                              N
 USEHMA       "hma"   Uses HMA                                     Y
 EMULATEROM   "emt"   Fast ROM emulation                           Y
 RETAINVRAM   "rvm"   Retain video memory                       Ignored
 FASTPASTE    "afp"   Fast pasting                                 Y

 The following settings control which keyboard shortcuts are active when
 the MS-DOS-based program has the focus. If the key is disabled, pressing
 the key sends the keystroke to the program instead of to Windows 95.

 Name          Key    Description                               Default
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 ALTTAB       "ata"   Allow ALT+TAB to switch away                 Y
 ALTESC       "aes"   Allow ALT+ESC to switch away                 Y
 CTRLESC      "ces"   Allow CTRL+ESC to switch away                Y
 PRTSCRN      "psc"   Allow PrtSc to perform screen snap           Y
 ALTPRTSCRN   "aps"   Allow ALT+PrtSc to perform screen snap       Y
 ALTSPACE     "asp"   Allow ALT+SPACE to view System menu          Y
 ALTENTER     "aen"   Allow ALT+ENTER to toggle box/full-screen    Y
 WINLIE       "lie"   Prevent MS-DOS-based programs                N
                      from detecting Windows
 GLOBALMEM    "gmp"   Enable global memory protection              N
 REALMODE     "dos"   Run program in MS-DOS mode                   N

 The following settings apply only if the REALMODE flag is set. These
 settings control which MS-DOS-based TSRs should be loaded in real mode.

 Name            Key    Description                             Default
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 MOUSE          "mse"   Mouse funtionality                         Y
 EMS            "ems"   EMM386                                     Y
 CDROM          "cdr"   CD-ROM driver/MSCDEX                     Y
 NETWORK        "net"   Network drivers                            Y
 DISKLOCK       "dsk"   Allow direct disk access                   N
 PRIVATECFG     "cfg"   Use custom CONFIG.SYS settings             N
 VESA           "vsa"   Extended video (VESA) support              Y
 CLOSEONEXIT    "cwe"   Close on exit                              N
 ALLOWSSAVER    "sav"   Allow screen saver to interrupt program    Y
 UNIQUESETTINGS "uus"   Run program in separate session            N

----------
 Title: General Tips for Using MS-DOS Mode
Document Number: Q134400           Publ Date: 02-APR-1996

 SUMMARY
 =======
 You can use MS-DOS mode in Windows 95 to run MS-DOS-based programs that
 require exclusive use of all your computer's resources. This article
 contains tips on how to configure MS-DOS mode.
 MORE INFORMATION
 ================
 Windows 95 normally uses MS-DOS mode when it detects that a program
 requires it. If the program you want to run is not recognized by Windows
 95, you receive an error message stating that the program cannot be run
 within Windows. You can then manually configure the program to use MS-DOS
 mode.
 Once you configure a program to use MS-DOS mode, double-clicking the
 program's icon causes Windows 95 to switch to MS-DOS mode automatically.
 Before switching to this mode, Windows 95 ends all running tasks, loads a
 real-mode copy of MS-DOS, and loads customized Autoexec.bat and Config.sys
 files if appropriate. When you exit MS-DOS mode, Windows 95 restarts.
 Configuring MS-DOS Mode
 -----------------------
 To configure an MS-DOS-based program to run in MS-DOS mode, you should
 have a shortcut icon for the program. If there is no shortcut icon for the
 program, use the right mouse button to click the program's icon, and then
 click Create Shortcut on the menu that appears. Once there is a shortcut
 icon for the program, follow these steps to configure the program to use
 MS-DOS mode:
  1. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut icon, and then
     click Properties on the menu that appears.
  2. On the Program tab, click Advanced.
  3. Click the "Prevent MS-DOS-based programs from detecting Windows"
     check box to select it.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Try to run the program by double-clicking its shortcut icon. If the
     program runs, stop here. If the program still does not run, continue
     with these steps.
  6. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut icon, and then
     click Properties on the menu that appears.
  7. On the Program tab, click Advanced.
  8. Click the MS-DOS Mode check box to select it.
  9. Click OK.
 10. Try to run the program by double-clicking its shortcut icon. If the
     program runs, stop here. If the program still does not run, continue
     with these steps.
 11. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut icon, and then
     click Properties on the menu that appears.
 12. On the Program tab, click Advanced.
 13. Click the Specify A New MS-DOS Configuration option button. This
     option lets you specify a custom Config.sys and Autoexec.bat file
     for the program. The custom configuration is in effect for this
     program only.
 Specifying a New MS-DOS configuration
 -------------------------------------
 To change the configuration to suit the program, follow these steps:
 1. Review the lines in the Config.sys For MS-DOS Mode and Autoexec.bat For
    MS-DOS Mode boxes. Make any necessary changes directly in the boxes.
    NOTE: If you must add a driver or program for every MS-DOS based
    program you run, create a new file called Dosstart.bat in the
    Windows directory. Add the driver or program to this file.
 2. If a program does not run or performs poorly because of insufficient
    memory or the lack of a driver, click the Configuration button to
    choose the options you want for the program. To learn the purpose of
    each option, click the option's text and then read the description.
    Click the options you want, and then click OK.
    NOTE: Using these options removes any entries you may have already
    made in the Config.sys For MS-DOS Mode and Autoexec.bat For MS-DOS
    Mode boxes.
    WARNING: Although some MS-DOS-based programs require direct disk
    access, most do not. Use this option with caution. Using this option
    can allow an MS-DOS-based program to destroy long filename support
    in Windows 95.
 For more information about configuring an MS-DOS-based program, consult the
 program's documentation.
 For additional information, please see the following article in the
 Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    ARTICLE-ID: Q77083
    TITLE: Optimizing Your Use Of Upper Memory Blocks
 Default Changes to Configuration Files
 --------------------------------------
 When you start MS-DOS mode, new Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files are
 created. The following lines are added automatically by Windows 95:
 The first line of the Config.sys file:
    DOS=SINGLE
 The last lines of the Autoexec.bat file:
    REM
    REM The following lines have been created by Windows.
    REM Do not modify them.
    CD \<directory of the application>
    CALL <name of application>
    <Windows>\WIN.COM /W
 The line "DOS=SINGLE" causes your computer to start in MS-DOS mode. The
 "Call" line starts the MS-DOS-based program. The "WIN.COM /W" command
 restarts Windows 95 with the normal configuration.
 Troubleshooting
 ---------------
  - Windows 95 does not restart after you quit the MS-DOS-based program.
    Type "win /w" (without quotation marks) at the command prompt to
    restart Windows 95.
  - The program does not run in MS-DOS mode because of an incorrect
    configuration.
    Add the appropriate lines in the Advanced Program Settings dialog
    box.
 REFERENCES
 ==========
 For additional information, please see the following articles in the
 Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    ARTICLE-ID: Q132994
    TITLE: Games (A-H) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode
    ARTICLE-ID: Q132995
    TITLE: Games (I-Q) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode
    ARTICLE-ID: Q132996
    TITLE: Games (R-Z) Requiring or Performing Better in MS-DOS Mode
 Microsoft Windows 95 "Resource Kit," Chapter 22, Application Support

----------
 Title: How to Run Automatic Commands When Starting in MS-DOS Mode
Document Number: Q141308           Publ Date: 07-MAR-1996

 SUMMARY
 =======
 This article describes how to run commands automatically when you use
 the "Restart the computer in MS-DOS mode" option to restart your
 computer.
 MORE INFORMATION
 ================
 When you restart your computer in MS-DOS mode, any commands in the
 Dosstart.bat file are carried out. You can place commands you want to be
 run when you restart your computer in MS-DOS mode in the Dosstart.bat
 file. To do so, follow these steps:
 1. Start Notepad.
 2. Type the commands you want in the Dosstart.bat file in the empty
    Notepad file.
 3. On the File menu, click Save As.
 4. Save the file as Dosstart.bat in the Windows folder.
 5. Quit Notepad.
 When you restart your computer using the "Restart the computer in MS-DOS
 mode" option, the "Exit to Dos" file is processed. If you want to use a
 different Config.sys or Autoexec.bat file for MS-DOS mode, modify the
 "Exit to Dos" file. To modify the "Exit to Dos" file, follow these
 steps:
 1. Use the right mouse button to click the "Exit to Dos" file in the
    Windows folder, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.
    NOTE: If the "Exit to Dos" file does not exist in the Windows
    folder, create it with the following steps, and then try step 1
    again:
    a. Click the Start button, and then click Shut Down.
    b. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, click "Restart the
       computer in MS-DOS mode," and then click Yes.
    c. At the command prompt, type "exit" (without quotation
       marks), and then press ENTER.
 2. On the Program tab, click Advanced.
 3. Click the Specify A New MS-DOS Configuration option.
 4. Enter the appropriate lines for the Config.sys file for MS-DOS mode
    in the Config.sys For MS-DOS Mode box.
 5. Enter the appropriate lines for the Autoexec.bat file for MS-DOS mode
    in the Autoexec.bat For MS-DOS Mode box.
 6. Click OK.
 7. Click OK.
 If you "Specify a new MS-DOS configuration", then the specified Config.sys
 & Autoexec.bat files are processed & Dosstart.bat is not. If you "Use
 current MS-DOS configuration", the current Config.sys & Autoexec.bat files
 are processed, and then the commands in the Dosstart.bat file are run.

----------
 Title: How to Install Old MS-DOS Tools in Windows 95
Document Number: Q147831           Publ Date: 01-MAR-1996

 SUMMARY
 =======
 Windows 95 includes most of the MS-DOS tools included with previous
 versions of Microsoft MS-DOS. This article describes how to install the
 other old MS-DOS tools that are not installed automatically by Windows 95.
 MORE INFORMATION
 ================
 To install the other MS-DOS tools, follow these steps:
 1. Insert the Windows 95 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
    NOTE: If you have the floppy disk version of Windows 95, you can
    obtain the MS-DOS tools from online services. For information about
    obtaining the MS-DOS tools from an online service, please see the
    following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
       ARTICLE-ID: Q135315
       TITLE     : CD-ROM Extras for Microsoft Windows 95 Upgrade
 2. At a command prompt, switch to the CD-ROM drive and then change to
    the Other\Oldmsdos folder.
 3. To install the MS-DOS tools in the default folders, type the following
    line and then press ENTER:
       instsupp.bat
    To install the MS-DOS tools to a different folder, type the following
    line and then press ENTER
       instsupp.bat <folder>
    where <folder> is the folder in which you want the tools installed.
 4. Restart your computer.
 If you install to a folder other than the default folder, the Msbackup
 files are not copied and the Memmaker files are installed in the
 Windows\Command folder. You must move these files to the Windows folder
 manually.
 If you install to the default folders, the following files are installed
 in the Windows folder:
    Chkstate.sys
    Memmaker.exe
    Memmaker.inf
    Memmaker.hlp
    Sizer.exe
 If you install to the default folders, the following files are installed
 in the Windows\Command folder:
    Append.exe     Qbasic.hlp
    Expand.exe     Restore.exe
    Graphics.com   Tree.com
    Graphics.pro   Undelete.exe
    Help.com       Loadfix.com
    Help.hlp       Monoumb.386
    Instsupp.bat   Print.exe
    Interlnk.exe   Qbasic.exe
    Intersvr.exe   Replace.exe
 If you specify an installation folder other than the Windows folder, all
 the files listed above are installed in that folder except for the
 following files. These files must be copied manually:
    Msbackdb.ovl   Msbackup.hlp
    Msbconfg.ovl   Msbackup.exe
    Msbackup.ovl   Msbackfr.ovl
    Msbconfg.hlp   Msbackdr.ovl
    Msbackfb.ovl
 When you use the Instsupp.bat file to install the MS-DOS tools, the Setver
 table is updated to reflect the changes. However, the Setver table is not
 updated for Restore.exe. For additional information about this issue,
 please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
    ARTICLE-ID: Q138248
    TITLE     : Instsupp.bat File Does Not Install Restore.exe Properly

----------
End of Document.


From: Jamal Mazrui <74444.1076@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject:      More from Microsoft Knowledge Base
To: GUISPEAK@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU
Content-Type: text

I found one more article from the Microsoft Knowledge Base that is relevant
to running screen readers and other accessibility aids in DOS sessions under
Windows 95.  Though this article does not mention these programs in
particular, the disability field has found that its advice
generally applies to such software.

----------

Knowledge Base
Title: Text-Screen Enhancement Programs May Not Work
Document Number: Q135177           Publ Date: 22-AUG-1995
Product Name: Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Product Version: 95
Operating System: WINDOWS


 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 The information in this article applies to:

  - Microsoft Windows 95
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 SYMPTOMS
 ========

 Some text-screen enhancement drivers and terminate-and-stay-resident
 programs (TSRs) may run erratically or not at all in Windows 95. Results
 may include garbled text output or incorrect screen colors.

 Examples of such programs include shareware or third-party Ansi.sys
 replacements, and the High Screen (Affiche.com) TSR from PC-Soft.

 CAUSE
 =====

 Some older text-screen enhancement drivers and TSRs may not be completely
 compatible with the improved text display performance in Windows 95.

 RESOLUTION
 ==========

 To work around this problem, follow these steps:

 1. Use any text editor (such as Notepad) to edit the Config.sys file.

 2. Add the following line to the Config.sys file:

       switches=/C

    If there is already a "switches=" line, add "/C" (without quotation
    marks) to the end of the line.

 3. Save and then close the Config.sys file.

 4. Restart your computer.

 The /C switch disables the Windows 95 text display optimization, allowing
 older drivers and TSRs to work correctly.

 KBCategory: kbdisplay
 KBSubcategory: posfest win95
 Additional reference words: 95


COPYRIGHT Microsoft Corporation, 1995.

.

