CompuServe Thread

>Could you tell me and maybe everyone else how you got the PAR to work >under WIN95. >Since most of us will probably end up using WIN95, I am curious??? Windows95 is NOT just old fashioned windows/dos in a fancy package. I really didn't expect too much when I got it ( I was still in the "OH WOW" phase of Windows NT, and I didn't think ANYTHING could compare to it) But Win95 really grows on you. It is kinda a Windows / Windows NT hybrid with a truly wonderful GUI ( I thought it was going to be very cheesy after seeing it in all the magazine articles, but it is a very cool and functional interface. You should see how things fly around when they minimize and maximize in Wincim!) A lot has changed internally also. The way Win95 handles DOS sessions is great. There are several ways it can work. You can see the versatility of the system by finding the DOS prompt icon in "Explore" ( A kind of HYPER file manager) ( I have several different DOS prompt icons for various setups) After you find the DOS prompt icon in explore, single click on it to highlight it. The Right click on the highlighted icon to bring up a menu. In that menu, you'll see a line marked "Properties". Click on it. This is where you can see the power of how Win95 handles DOS. A dialog box comes up with a bunch "Tabbed" sub-dialogs. the one in the front is marked "GENERAL" and it has some ,well… general info about the DOS session in question. (ie. Path, Size, dates and a quick easy way to change the attributes) The second "Tab" is "Program". This is where you tell it what DOS program to start ( in this case the DOS session itself) with a command line, working directory, shortcut key, icon changer etc. and on the bottom is the most important part. the button that leads to "Advanced" program settings, but I'll get into that later. Tab 3 is "Font" which gives a lot of options for the look of a windowed DOS session. Tab 4 is cool. it is "Memory" and with it you can set the session's various memory limits. Conventional memory (40kb-640kb in 40kb increments, default is AUTO)You also have similar control of EMS(Expanded) Mem. , XMS ( Extended), DPMI (DOS protected mode) and even "Initial Environment. The next TAB is "Screen" with options for" Window or Full screen, Show Toolbar, Restore Settings on Startup, Initial Size" and even "Fast ROM emulation" and "Dynamic Memory Allocation" The next and last TAB is "MISC" with " Allow Screen Saver", " Always suspend background", Idle Sensitivity", Mouse "Quick Edit" and "Exclusive Mode", Fast Pasting" , "Warn if active on termination" and a bunch of other short cut keys. Before, I mentioned the Advanced Program button. Well, here is a mighty powerful dialog box.In it you have … a switch the "Prevents DOS based programs from detecting windows" a switch that "Suggests DOS Mode as necessary" a "DOS MODE switch with options that "Warn before entering DOS Mode" "Use Current DOS configuration" ( The settings in your current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS) and MOST IMPORTANTLY………. a switch that allows you to "Specify a new Configuration" Under that switch are two boxes that are places for you to put an AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS that are to be used ONLY FOR THAT DOS SESSION!!!!!! that's right , now when you click on this DOS Prompt ICON, there is a special Re-Boot that restarts in DOS with the configuration files that are in the dialog box. You can have as many DOS icons as you want in Windows 95, each with it's own set of Config files. Before I upgraded to Win95, I had a pretty complex multi config startup file. One of the config choices was optimized for 3D Studio. I just copied that part of my old config files ( Both the .BAT and the .SYS) and put them in the advanced program setting in a Win95 DOS prompt. That gets 3D Studio working perfectly, then I added the PAR drivers to the Autoexec file. ( I also have a DOS session without PAR drivers to save mem.) and there it is. Now when I click on "DOS-3D" my computer reboots out of Win95 into a DOS session that's optimized for 3D Studio and PAR. I've tried a LOT of IPAS and, so far, everything seems to work fine. Good luck David