Using Sitka TOPS with Windows

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Sitka TOPS is not a supported network by Microsoft Windows; however, it may be possible to run Windows on the Sitka TOPS network. This article discusses the following:

• Setup issues for Sitka TOPS with Windows
• Software issues when running Sitka TOPS with Windows
• Hardware issues when running Sitka TOPS with Windows

SETUP ISSUES FOR SITKA TOPS WITH WINDOWS

On a Sitka TOPS network, programs cannot be executed from the server. Therefore, it is not possible to perform a network installation of Windows 3.0 by running SETUP /N, or Windows 3.1 by running SETUP /A and SETUP /N.

Workaround

Set up Windows on the local hard drive.

SOFTWARE ISSUES WHEN RUNNING SITKA TOPS WITH WINDOWS

Network Connections

Any network connections (file servers, print servers, or network devices) established before starting Windows are not recognized from within Windows version 3.0, 3.0a, or 3.1. In general, those connections are available if you exit Windows. You should always load Sitka NetPrint before starting Windows. For more information on this limitation, contact Sitka TOPS technical support.

Network Printing

Sitka does NOT recommend that you configure TOPS/DOS as a file server or print server when using TOPS/DOS in the Windows 3.0 environment. Configure TOPS/DOS as a Network Printer Client, Remote Printer Client or File Client only. You must edit the TOPS.DAT file to increase the "Max number of open files" setting (listed under the File Client parameters) to at least 20. If you receive an error message indicating that your application "can't find a .TMP file, insert disk in drive A," try setting the MS-DOS SET TEMP variable in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file to the remote drive letter.

Loading TOPS/DOS or NetPrint in conventional memory and Windows in standard mode should work in most cases. You will not be able to run TOPS/DOS in extended memory while Windows is running in 386 enhanced mode. The MS-DOS extender program that TOPS/DOS 3.0 uses for extended memory is not compatible with the Windows.

For more information about printing on the Sitka TOPS network, query on the following words in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   UNIX and CTRLD and TOPS

HARDWARE ISSUES WHEN RUNNING SITKA TOPS WITH WINDOWS

For the best results, use a TOPS-supported Ethernet card. With Windows in enhanced mode, and to a lesser extent in standard mode, a TOPS FlashCard is not serviced often enough to maintain network connections. The operation of the TOPS FlashCard and driver is dependent upon standard servicing of hardware interrupts. If you want to try using a FlashCard, make sure that you configure the card and driver for DMA=NONE and BOARDINT=3. Also, be advised that network activity may only work intermittently.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Sitka TOPS, contact Sitka.

The product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.