This is an archive of CompuServe forum messages from 1985 to 1995, as saved in transcripts by John Foust.
Search Results (136 messages)
Check the 12/22/92 issue of PC Rag pg 293 & 345. If you don't mind paying a few $$, it should be available on CIS in Computer Database or some such.
You can d/l mscdex from CIS (GO MULTIMEDIA), filename is MSCDEX.EXE; or (GO MSL) and d/l CDEXT.EXE. The former should be v2.22, the newest; the latter may still be v2.21. If you have DOS6, it comes with that product; just look in your DOS directory. Some of the oddities of…
Are you sure it's a Compuserve file? CIS filenames are six alphanumeric characters max, I think.
Some can be stood on edge; some can't. There was a review in the 5/92 issue of PC World that had a chart for which could and couldn't be side-mounted. If you have an older drive, you could check that; it might be easier to call the manufacturer though.
Mark, I'm sorta surprised it works at all; at the least, you need to specify the drive letter for the CDROM with the /L: switch for mscdex. To make the drive respond as E: (presumably, if you have one HDD and are using doublespace from dos6, both C: and D:…
Modify your autoexec file to call the *new* mscdex which should be located in your dos6 directory, not an older version elsewhere on disk or one that came with the drive. If that's not the problem, the only other thing I've seen throw the incorrect dos version error is failing…
Sam, download file Laser3.txt from Library #4. It has info on the two possible ways to upgrade the LL to MPC (Level #1 only, not the new Level #2 just released). Unless you're having a problem now, you might want to hold off and eventually get something that conforms to…
If it's what I think it is, and not some Pascal obscurity, it's the Universal Product Code, the bar-coded marks and numerical code you find on practically all retail products these days for automated scanning at checkout stands.
Make sure you've got mscdex and other drivers loaded high successfully; if they're hogging conventional memory, CD's and DOS programs under Windows may tank, giving symptoms similar to those you're experiencing. Some programs, games especially, need 550K or more free to run, or they may not run under windows at…
Andy, download file Laser3.txt from Lib. #4 here; it has a lot of Sony-specific info that should help, but please note that the driver calls in config.sys were intended for a Sony-bus, not SCSI, CDROM so you should preserve the SCSI drivers that you are currently using and not try…
Karen, there's some helpful info on optimizing memory, etc. in file Laser3.txt in Lib. #4 here. Since it was written primarily for DOS, just be sure to use the C:\windows versions of himem.sys and emm386.exe. After trying to allocate as much EMS memory as reasonably possible, try looking for software…
Thanks for the tips! As with bargain basement stuff of this type, the license agreement was conveniently missing… Interestingly enough, the registration card was alive and kicking.
#Mayo Monster??
Message #52456
Well, El Cheapo may have done hisself in this time. I just grabbed a copy of the Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, Interactive Edition CD-ROM that was on sale for $18. Then I got it home and discovered that it doesn't print anything, except its own help index (Wow, that…
Oops, I forgot to mention in my last that some older Sony drives need an updated driver to run Photo-CD; there might be one for your unit on Sony's BBS, 408-955-5107.
Many folks like the NEC high-end drives like the -84 and its internal companion, the -74, I think. I thought most, if not all, Sony drives are Photo-CD compatible, at least for single session. Some are not multi-session compatible. You might want to check the kodak.txt file here in the…
Bob, you might start with the Sony BBS, 408-955-5107, if you haven't checked there already. From the forum traffic, they've apparently been slow and unhelpful in providing OS/2 and NT drivers for many of their products, but you might get lucky. You might also call Trantor or Adaptec at 415-770-1400…
US/Canada for now, I'd thought, but there's no reason not to list international stuff. I'd already asked folks to give me real phone numbers in addition to 800 numbers that aren't available to international and even some local callers. What's your vote?
#FYI, How to reach Mfgrs!
Message #52139
I've just added a new feature, the beginnings of a database of how to contact major manufacturers and dealers in CDROM hardware and software, to file Laser3.txt in Lib #4. Since the question "How do I contact ___" often arises here in various messages, I thought I'd see if there…
Probably so. I've seen several reports of people using that configuration. Cabling may be tricky with components not purchased together, but it's not insurmountable. Good luck with your about-to-be-new drive!
Gary, the Laser Library (CDU-7205) is a good drive and is compatible with most titles available today, BUT it is not technically MPC-compliant. It also uses a proprietary Sony, i.e. not SCSI, bus which means you won't be able to chain additional devices off the controller card in the future…
Richard, I can't help with the first two parts of your question, but SCSI-2 is a new SCSI protocol that may be still in draft form. It was supposed to have been approved recently, but I haven't heard the results for sure. Devices are available now that conform to this…
#575-
Old-style NEC caddies
Message #747
Try CD-ROM in CO, 800-821-5245; they used to have them, but for about $19 each, if what you're looking for are the NEC 77/80 caddies. There's a list of other caddy sources in file Laser3.txt in Lib #4 in the CDROM Forum, but I don't know if any of them…
#51272-
old MSCDEX.EXE driver
Message #51658
Dan, further to my last: I heard from a couple of sources today that use of a version of mscdex prior to v2.22, the one that comes with DOS6, will also throw an "incorrect DOS version" error message. You might want to be certain that v2.22 is the one you're…
Last likely trick in my bag would be to get rid of QEMM and the Network Developer (whatever that is) too; may not accomplish much at this point, but settin' up a floppy or alternate config/autoexec files doesn't take too long. If you are running on a net, you may…
If my memory serves me, SB is a product of Creative Labs in Fremont, CA; their BBS is 510-428-6660. The area code might be 415 or 408; there was a split some time ago, and I haven't used the number in a long time. Try the FIND command for CIS.…
Multimedia Personal Computer, a standard developed by several mfgrs of CDROM hardware and PCs. It sets certain minimum levels of performance for PCs and CDROM hardware to be MPC-compliant, hopefully assuring that if everything meets the standard, then you have at least a 50-50 chance of ever getting it to…
Bookshelf is sorta notorious for not being compatible with complex systems and, especially, TSRs. Try creating a minimal boot disk with just the bare necessities, like your CDROM driver and mscdex, and nothing else. If the problem evaporates, it becomes a tedious bit of detective work to see which programs…
If you're already on the network (since you mentioned trying to install a drive on computers, plural), there's a software switch for mscdex that you may need, /S, used in networking situations. 'Fraid I don't know much more than that about it, other than a bit mentioned in my file…
#51272-
old MSCDEX.EXE driver
Message #51467
Part of your problem may be that the call for MSCDEX isn't Device=. MSCDEX belongs in your autoexec file (not config), preferably with a loadhigh command if you have UMBs available.
#51207-
Overtaxing the system?
Message #51466
QEMM is a very well-respected memory management program that works for nearly everyone. I had one of the few serious problems that I know of with it, and that may be because I have a branching autoexec and many TSR programs. If you have or plan to buy DOS6, you…
David, you need both the driver for the CDROM (*.sys of some kind) and mscdex.exe which you can download from CIS in the Multimedia Forum. There's a file in Lib #4 in CDROM called laser3.txt that will show you how to use mscdex and give you some other info. Creative…
There are significant memory overheads for CDROM, as you've discovered. The good news is that they are easily surmounted as long as you're comfy editing your config & autoexec files. A good memory manager will make it easier, but it's a little more expensive. Besides, we all bought these things…
The most likely culprit, if you haven't used a disk doubling utility before, is the drive letter assignment, the /L: switch in MSCDEX. When you use such a utility (I'm assuming DOS6 follows Stacker's protocol cuz I haven't loaded 6 yet), it adds a drive letter to your system for…
#50468-
NEED HELP ON CD-ROM
Message #50880
Although it doesn't cover SCSI installations for Sony, you might check file Laser3.txt in Lib #4. There are some references there to SCSI articles that are very helpful, and there is a lot of other info that might help you out of the woods: Software switches, memory tips, etc. Hope…
#50203-
SONY LL Where's Upgrade?
Message #50879
Check the file Laser3.txt in Lib #4. Info on various LL upgrades is there. You're probably referring to the Trantor driver that's available, although it's gotten very mixed reviews. Good luck!
Jordan, I'm sorry that I can't help much with networking issues; I haven't had occasion to network a CDROM. Generally, I've heard excellent comments on the NEC drives, particularly the -84 & -74 models. Wish I knew more, but mom always told me to wear clean shorts and never mess…
Brad, I've no experience with CDROMs on a net, but there is a software switch used on mscdex, /S, that has something to do with network compatibility. The *little* bit I did find out is in file Laser3.txt in Lib #4 on the CDROM Forum. It deals heavily with Sony…
Bill, I'd expect you'll need a Toshiba driver that is compatible with your drive. Contact Toshiba first; they'll have it, and maybe they have a BBS from which to download?? I don't think I have their number around; I do remember they have a major PC service center in the…
Bill, I think all your questions are covered in a file, Laser3.txt, I maintain in Lib #4 here in the CDROM Forum. There are examples of all the mscdex switches, etc. If you have any questions after reviewing it, please lemme know.
Phil, I'm running 2.22 high w/ DOS5; it works fine for me, but I've seen a couple of folks hereabouts griping that it didn't. Give it a try, but save your old 2.21 just in case. If you're using a version older than 2.21, the new one should load high…
There's a list of sources and prices, not necessarily current though, in file laser3.txt in library #4.
Start with file Laser3.txt in lib #4 here. It should help, even tho' it doesn't specifically address the SCSI interface. If that turns out to be at the root of your problem, there are some references to help articles that I think you can access thru the PCdatabase on CI$.…
You can certainly tinker with IRQ10 (or 11, 12, or 15 also in the cascade), but most DOS programs (per Media Vision, the mfgrs of the Pro Audio line of sound boards) can only recognize IRQs 2 (but used for the cascade in AT class machines), 3, 5, and 7.…
Look for MEMTOOL; I found it via the IBM File Finder on CI$, I think. Kinda a Sidekick-like TSR, but it doesn't take but about 5K of RAM. Don't count on any support from the author; he cashed my check and never responded to a question attached thereto. Good program…
Matt, are we at cross-purposes? I didn't say that expanded memory or EMS drivers could be loaded high, although the EMS page frame is located in an area of upper memory, usually in the D or E segment. I was referring to CDROM drivers and mscdex, which can both be…
John, check file Laser3.txt in Lib #4. It has a lengthy explanation of memory usage, including how to load drivers & mscdex high and how to put buffers for mscdex into expanded (sorry, no extended) memory.
It's available on CIS: Go MSL; the file name is CDEXT.EXE.
There is documentation for the switches in file Laser3.txt in Library #4.
CD Caddys source
Message #43547
There are several sources of caddies and prices listed in file Laser3.txt in Lib. #4. Look near the end of the file.
James, despite what MS says about loading mscdex v2.21 high, there are thousands of us who've done it very successfully. V2.21 loads high more easily than its predecessor. I've only heard of one truly knowledgeable folk who couldn't get it to happen when he worked on it. MS also said…
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