Visual C++ for Windows Version 1.0 System Requirements

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Visual C++ for Windows, version 1.0

SUMMARY

Microsoft Visual C++ version 1.0 for Windows has the following system requirements:

• Personal computer with a 386 or higher processor running MS-DOS version 5.0 or later and Windows version 3.1 or later in 386 enhanced mode.
• 4 megabytes (MB) of available memory (8 MB recommended).
• One 3.5-inch high density diskette drive or a CD-ROM drive.
• A hard disk with 25 MB available for minimum installation (50 MB for maximum installation).
• A VGA or higher-resolution monitor.

The Visual Workbench "User's Guide" incorrectly lists some of these requirements on page 5. For example, it states that only 6 MB is recommended and that either a 5.25-inch or a 3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive is needed.

MORE INFORMATION

While 5.25-inch high density disks are not in the package, they are available upon request. Customers needing them should contact Microsoft Customer Service at (800) 426-9400.

The hard disk requirements listed on the package are for a minimal installation. A minimal installation needs about 25 MB (no help files, samples, extra tools, and so forth). The professional edition default installation requires approximately 38 MB, with 51 MB to 65 MB needed for a maximum installation. For the Standard Edition, a default installation takes about 33 MB, with 37 MB for a maximum installation. The CD-ROM version can be installed to a hard disk, or the compiler be can run from the CD with about 5 MB of tools installed on the hard disk.

"Available memory" does not refer to the total amount of memory on a machine, but rather to how much of that memory is actually free. Generally, machines with less than 8 MB of total RAM need a Windows swap file to increase the available memory. On most machines with less memory, for example 4 MB total, if SMARTDRV and Windows are running you may have only 1-2 MB actually available unless you have a swap file.

To determine the amount of available memory, select Help from Program Manager and choose About Program Manager. The memory available must be at least 3 MB for Setup to run and at least 5 MB or more for building any applications.

A small swap file may allow Setup to run. However, it needs to be larger to compile most programs. For example, the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) sample SUPERPAD may need a 4-5 MB swap file to compile depending on how much other available memory there is. On machines with more memory, a swap file improves performance and may be necessary if other memory resident software is running, or if a RAM disk or EMS memory is allocated.

To view or modify the memory used for the Windows swap file, select Control Panel, choose 386 Enhanced Options and then Virtual Memory. See your Windows manual for more information on swap files.