Using Windows 3.1 with Quarterdeck QEMM386

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

Windows version 3.1 works correctly with versions 5.1 and later of the QEMM386 memory manager. This article discusses the following issues:

• Behavior of Windows Setup
• Using the Stealth Option with Third-Party Display Drivers
• Optimize Utility Loads SMARTDRV.EXE 4.0 High
• Data Loss with SMARTDrive
• Windows May Use B000-B7FF
• Setup Err Msg: Incorrect MS-DOS Version

Behavior of Windows Setup

Windows Setup should detect QEMM386 if it is running when you install Windows. If you are running QEMM386 version 5.1, 5.11, or 5.12, Setup adds the following line to the [386enh] section of the SYSTEM.INI file:

   device=*qemmfix

Note: QEMM386 versions 5.13 and later do not require the QEMMFIX device driver.

Using the Stealth Option with Third-Party Display Drivers

A few third-party Windows display drivers may have conflicts with the Stealth option in QEMM386 version 6. These conflicts can create video problems or prevent you from starting Windows in 386 enhanced mode.

In most cases, such conflicts can be resolved by configuring QEMM386 to NOT overlay the video ROM with high RAM. To do this, add "X=C000-C7FF" to the QEMM386 command line in your CONFIG.SYS file. Depending on your configuration, you may be able to exclude a smaller range of memory and leave more memory available. In some cases, you may need to use "XST=C000" or disable the Stealth option altogether. Consult your QEMM386 documentation for more information.

Optimize Utility Loads SMARTDRV.EXE 4.0 High

If you load SMARTDRV.EXE version 4.0 with the /DOUBLE_BUFFER option, earlier versions of the Quarterdeck Optimize utility may recommend loading SMARTDRV.EXE in an upper memory block (UMB). SMARTDRV.EXE /DOUBLE_BUFFER does not function correctly if it is loaded high. Make sure the SMARTDRV.EXE line in CONFIG.SYS does not include the LOADHI.SYS command.

Data Loss with SMARTDrive

If SMARTDrive is NOT flushing its buffers on exit, you are probably using a version of QEMM prior to 6.02. Earlier versions of QEMM trap the INT 2Fh call. If INT 2Fh is trapped, SMARTDrive does not receive the system shutdown broadcast message and does not flush its buffers when you quit Windows or press CTRL+ALT+DEL. In addition, SMARTDrive does not switch its cache size back to the MS-DOS mode value.

Windows May Use B000-B7FF

By default, Windows 3.1 uses UMA addresses B000-B7FF. Many expanded memory managers also attempt to use this area, which causes a conflict with Windows. To correct this problem, do one of the following:

• Exclude the B000-B7FF range with the memory manager.

  -or-

• Install MONOUMB2.386 with the following steps:

  1. Copy and expand the MONOUMB2.38_ file that is on your Windows disk

        to your Windows SYSTEM directory. For example, type the following
        at the MS-DOS command prompt:
  

           expand a:\monoumb2.38_ c:\windows\system\MONOUMB2.386
  
        where "\windows\system" is the name of your Windows SYSTEM
        directory.
  
     2. Add the following setting to the [386Enh] section of the
        SYSTEM.INI file:
  
           device=monoumb2.386
  
  

Setup Err Msg: Incorrect MS-DOS Version

Windows Setup may display the following error message:

   Incorrect MS-DOS Version - You Must Have Version 3.1 or Later

To correct this problem, try increasing the FILES= statement in the CONFIG.SYS file. Quarterdeck recommends increasing the number of files in increments of five until the error is corrected.

The products included here are manufactured by Quarterdeck Office Systems, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.