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-
- Using QEMM with Games
-
- Quarterdeck Technical Note #284 Filename: GAMES.TEC
- by Michael Bryant II CompuServe: GAMES.ZIP
- Last revised: 4/4/95 Category: QEMM
-
- Subject: Configuring QEMM for best results with today's
- computer games.
-
- Q. Why do I need QEMM to run with my games?
-
- A. Today's games are pushing the limits of what they want from a
- system. Many require a minimum 80386 or later machine, 4-8 MB
- of RAM, and Super VGA graphics. They also want most (if not
- all) of conventional memory so they can dazzle you with the
- newest set of thrills. Requirements of 610K or more of free
- conventional memory are becoming more commonplace. QEMM can
- easily free up to 634K of conventional memory on most systems,
- even after loading the drivers and programs that are needed for
- a game. Additionally, most game publishers already take full
- advantage of the memory specifications provided by QEMM.
-
-
- Q. How should I configure my system using QEMM to get the maximum
- performance that I require for my games?
-
- A. If you are running low on memory, you should create a "minimal
- system". A minimal system configuration is one in which you
- load only the TSRs and drivers absolutely necessary to run the
- game in question, and nothing else. This will ensure that the
- game will not only have the memory that it needs to run, but
- that the chances of another program or TSR interfering with the
- game are minimized.
-
- This note will show you how to create a multiple configuration
- if you are using MS-DOS 6.x, PC-DOS 6.x. or later, or how to
- create a minimal system boot floppy. A minimal system boot
- floppy will allow you to insert a floppy disk in the A: drive,
- boot the computer, and load a configuration from the floppy
- that is optimal for the games that you are using. Users of
- MS-DOS 6 and PC-DOS 6 can alternatively set up a "multiple
- configuration" that allows different configurations to be
- chosen when booting the computer (thus, placing a floppy in the
- A: drive is not necessary). Please note that QEMM 7 or later is
- required to fully support multiple configurations.
-
-
- CREATING A MULTIPLE BOOT CONFIGURATION
- --------------------------------------
-
- ** NOTE: THIS SECTION IS FOR PC-DOS & MS-DOS 6.x SYSTEMS ONLY **
-
- MS- and PC-DOS 6 and later support multiple configurations, which
- allow you to choose which group of drivers you would like to load.
- QEMM fully supports multiple configurations; this section is
- intended to help you create one quickly and painlessly. If you
- need any additional assistance, contact the manufacturer of the
- DOS that you are using.
-
- To create a game configuration:
-
- 1) From the DOS prompt, type:
-
- C: <Enter>
- CD\ <Enter>
- EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT <Enter>
-
- This will allow you to edit the AUTOEXEC.BAT file on the boot
- drive.
-
- 2) Add the following lines at the very top of this file:
-
- GOTO %CONFIG%
- :NORMAL
-
- 3) Go to the bottom of your AUTOEXEC.BAT (hit the down arrow until
- you are at the end of the file) and add the following lines:
-
- GOTO END
- :GAME
-
- 4) Using Copy and Paste, copy the following lines from your NORMAL
- configuration (everything between the :NORMAL line and the GOTO
- END line) to the GAME configuration (below the :GAME line):
-
- CD-ROM (commonly MSCDEX.EXE)
-
- Mouse (commonly MOUSE.EXE or MOUSE.COM)
-
- Sound (most likely statements that start with the word SET
- and/or the lines that are added by your Sound board. Common
- examples include SBCONFIG and MVAUDIO.)
-
- Path (usually looks like PATH=C:\DOS;C:\ ...)
-
- Prompt (usually looks like PROMPT $P$G)
-
- Joystick (if you need a driver to run your joystick)
-
-
- EXAMPLE:
-
- GOTO %CONFIG%
-
- :NORMAL
- @ECHO OFF
- SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
- SET NU=C:\NU
- SET NORTON=C:\NORTON
- REM THE "CHECK" LINE BELOW PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SAFETY FOR
- REM STACKED DRIVES. PLEASE DO ONT REMOVE IT.
- C:\STACKER\CHECK /WP
- PROMPT $P$G
- PATH=C:\PROAUDIO;C:\QEMM;C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\STACKER;C:\;
- SET MOUSE=C:\MOUSE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MOUSE.EXE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE /L:500 /F:5100
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:20
- SET BLASTER=A220 D1 I5 T3
- IMAGE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DRIVERS\FASTLNK.EXE /Q
- GOTO END
-
- :GAME
- @ECHO OFF
- SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
- REM THE "CHECK" LINE BELOW PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SAFETY FOR
- REM STACKED DRIVES. PLEASE DO ONT REMOVE IT.
- C:\STACKER\CHECK /WP
- PROMPT $P$G
- PATH=C:\PROAUDIO;C:\QEMM;C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\STACKER;C:\;
- SET MOUSE=C:\MOUSE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MOUSE.EXE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:4 /E
- SET BLASTER=A220 D1 I5 T3
- GOTO END
-
- :END
- REM -- END OF MULTI --
-
- On the line that reads MSCDEX.EXE, if there is an /M:xx, make
- sure that the number is less than or equal to 15 (/M:15). If it
- is not, please feel free to change it. Then, if there is not a
- /E on that line, please add one.
-
- EXAMPLE: MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /V /M:4 /E
-
- Go to the very end of the AUTOEXEC.BAT. Hit <Enter> a couple
- of times to make a blank line and add the following line:
-
- :END
-
- Save the file and exit.
-
- 5) Edit your CONFIG.SYS file by typing the following:
-
- EDIT CONFIG.SYS <Enter>
-
- 6) Type the following as the first lines in your CONFIG.SYS:
-
- [menu]
- menuitem=NORMAL, Normal Configuration
- menuitem=GAME, Games Configuration
-
- [NORMAL]
-
- 7) Go to the bottom of your CONFIG.SYS file. (Press the down
- arrow until you get to the bottom of the file) and type
-
- [GAME] <Enter>
-
- Copy the following lines from your Normal Configuration:
-
- DOSDATA.SYS
- QEMM386.SYS
- DOS-UP.SYS
- SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM
- FILES
- BUFFERS
-
- CD-ROM Driver
- (example - DEVICE=C:\CDROM\CDROMDRV.SYS)
-
- Sound Driver
- (example - DEVICE=C:\SOUND\SBMVAUD.SYS)
-
- Disk Compression Drivers
- (examples - DEVICE=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\STACKER\STACKER.COM
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\ST-DBL.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\DOS\DBLSPACE.SYS)
-
-
- EXAMPLE:
-
- MENUITEM=NORMAL, Normal Configuration
- MENUITEM=GAME, Games Configuration
-
- [NORMAL]
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOSDATA.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM X=B000-B1FF R:1 ST:M
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.SYS @C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.DAT
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:1 C:\QEMM\QDPMI.SYS ...
- DEVICE=C:\STACKER\DPMS.EXE
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\CD-ROM\TSLCDR.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:3 /S:330
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:1 C:\DRIVERS\SPEEDVID.SYS /VGA
- FILES=40
- BUFFERS=25
- LASTDRIVE=Z
- STACKS=0,0
- SHELL=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.COM /R:2 C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:512
-
- [GAME]
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOSDATA.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM X=B000-B1FF R:1 ST:M
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.SYS @C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.DAT
- DEVICE=C:\STACKER\DPMS.EXE
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\CD-ROM\TSLCDR.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:3 /S:330
- FILES=40
- BUFFERS=25
- LASTDRIVE=Z
- STACKS=0,0
- SHELL=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.COM /R:2 C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:512
-
- Add the following parameters to the QEMM386.SYS line:
-
- DMA=128
-
- Example:
- (Before)
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM ST:M X=D000:16K
-
- (After)
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM ST:M X=D000:16K DMA=128
-
- Save the file and exit.
-
- *** For further information on creating Multiple Boot ***
- *** Configurations please refer to your DOS Manual ***
-
-
- 9) Type the following, pressing Enter after each line.
-
- CD \QEMM
- OPTIMIZE
-
- Select the Games Configuration followed by the Express Optimize
- option.
-
- 10) You are finished with this part - go to ** CONCLUSION **.
-
-
-
- CREATING A BOOT DISK
- --------------------
-
- To create a game boot disk,
-
- 1) Find a blank, unformatted floppy that will fit in your A: drive,
- or a floppy disk containing nothing you wish to save.
-
- 2) Label this floppy disk "GAME FLOPPY".
-
- 3) From the DOS prompt, type:
-
- FORMAT A: /S <Enter>
-
- This will format the floppy disk, and will make it bootable.
-
- 4) After the format is complete and you are back at a DOS prompt,
- type:
-
- COPY C:\CONFIG.SYS A:\ <Enter>
- COPY C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT A:\ <Enter>
- A: <Enter>
-
- 5) Edit your A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
-
- a) DOS 5 users will be able to type EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT and
- <Enter>
-
- b) DOS 3 or 4 users will need to use their favorite text
- editor or EDLIN.
-
- c) DR-DOS users will be able to type EDITOR AUTOEXEC.BAT
- and <Enter>
-
- 6) Make the following changes:
-
- a) Insert the letters "REM " (the word REM followed by a single
- space) in front of every line EXCEPT the following:
-
- CD-ROM (commonly MSCDEX.EXE)
-
- Mouse (commonly MOUSE.EXE or MOUSE.COM)
-
- Sound (most likely statements that start with the word SET
- and/or the lines that are added by your Sound board. Common
- ones are SBCONFIG and MVAUDIO.)
-
- Path (usually looks like PATH=C:\DOS;C:\ ...)
-
- Prompt (usually looks like PROMPT $P$G)
-
- Joystick (if you need a driver to run your joystick)
-
- b) On the line that reads MSCDEX.EXE, if there is an /M:xx,
- make sure that the number is equal to or less than 15
- (/M:15). If it is not, please feel free to change it. Then,
- if there is not a /E on that line please add one.
-
- EXAMPLE: MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /V /M:4 /E
-
- c) Save the file and exit.
-
- EXAMPLE:
-
- Before
- ===================================
- @ECHO OFF
- SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
- SET NU=C:\NU
- SET NORTON=C:\NORTON
- REM THE "CHECK" LINE BELOW PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SAFETY FOR
- REM STACKED DRIVES. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE IT.
- C:\STACKER\CHECK /WP
- PROMPT $P$G
- PATH=C:\PROAUDIO;C:\QEMM;C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\FUSION;C:\;
- SET MOUSE=C:\MOUSE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MOUSE.EXE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE /L:500 /F:5100
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:20
- SET BLASTER=A220 D1 I5 T3
- IMAGE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DRIVERS\FASTLNK.EXE /Q
-
- After
- ===================================
- @ECHO OFF
- SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
- SET NU=C:\NU
- SET NORTON=C:\NORTON
- REM THE "CHECK" LINE BELOW PROVIDES ADDITIONAL SAFETY FOR
- REM STACKED DRIVES. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE IT.
- C:\STACKER\CHECK /WP
- PROMPT $P$G
- PATH=C:\PROAUDIO;C:\QEMM;C:\DOS;C:\WINDOWS;C:\FUSION;C:\;
- SET MOUSE=C:\MOUSE
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MOUSE.EXE
- REM C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\SHARE.EXE /L:500 /F:5100
- C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE /D:MSCD001 /M:4 /E
- SET BLASTER=A220 D1 I5 T3
- REM IMAGE
- REM C:\QEMM\LOADHI /R:2 C:\DRIVERS\FASTLNK.EXE /Q
-
- 7) Edit your A:\CONFIG.SYS file.
-
- a) DOS 5 users will be able to type EDIT CONFIG.SYS and <Enter>
-
- b) DOS 3 or 4 users will need to use their favorite text editor
- or EDLIN.
-
- c) DR-DOS users will be able to type EDITOR CONFIG.SYS
- and <Enter>
-
- 8) Make the following changes:
-
- Using the REM command, remark out all lines except the
- following:
-
- DOSDATA.SYS
- QEMM386.SYS
- DOS-UP.SYS
- SHELL=C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM
- FILES
- BUFFERS
-
- CD-ROM Driver
- (example - DEVICE=C:\CDROM\CDROMDRV.SYS)
-
- Sound Driver
- (example - DEVICE=C:\SOUND\SBMVAUD.SYS)
-
- Disk Compression Drivers
- (example - DEVICE=C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\STACKER\STACKER.COM
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\ST-DBL.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\DOS\DBLSPACE.SYS)
-
- EXAMPLE:
-
- Before
- =======================================
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOSDATA.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM X=B000-B1FF R:1 ST:M
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.SYS @C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.DAT
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:1 C:\QEMM\QDPMI.SYS ...
- DEVICE=C:\STACKER\DPMS.EXE
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\CD-ROM\TSLCDR.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:3 /S:330
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:1 C:\DRIVERS\SPEEDVID.SYS /VGA
- FILES=40
- BUFFERS=25
- LASTDRIVE=Z
- STACKS=0,0
- SHELL=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.COM /R:2 C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:512
-
- After
- =======================================
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOSDATA.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM X=B000-B1FF R:1 ST:M
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.SYS @C:\QEMM\DOS-UP.DAT
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:1 C:\QEMM\QDPMI.SYS ...
- DEVICE=C:\STACKER\DPMS.EXE
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\STACKER\STACHIGH.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\CD-ROM\TSLCDR.SYS /D:MSCD001 /P:3 /S:330
- REM DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
- REM DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:2 C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE
- REM DEVICE=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS /R:1 C:\DRIVERS\SPEEDVID.SYS /VGA
- FILES=40
- BUFFERS=25
- LASTDRIVE=Z
- STACKS=0,0
- SHELL=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.COM /R:2 C:\DOS\COMMAND.COM /P /E:512
-
-
- Please add the following parameter to the QEMM386.SYS line:
-
- DMA=128
-
-
- Example:
-
- (Before)
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM ST:M X=D000:16K DMA=128
-
- (After)
- DEVICE=C:\QEMM\QEMM386.SYS RAM ST:M X=D000:16K DMA=128
-
- Save the file and exit.
-
- 9) Type the following, pressing Enter after each line.
-
- C:
- CD \QEMM
- Optimize /B:A
-
- This will begin the Optimize process, which will provide as
- much conventional and upper memory as possible. When asked,
- select "Express Optimize" to speed the Optimize procedure up.
-
- 10) You are finished with this part - go to the ** CONCLUSION **
- section at the end of this technical note.
-
-
- ** CONCLUSION **
-
- You are now ready to play!
-
- Q. My game says it *STILL* does not have enough memory. What do I
- do now?
-
- A. Consult Quarterdeck Technical Note #296 - MAXMEM.TEC for
- suggestions. This technote is located in the TECHNOTE
- subdirectory in your QEMM directory.
-
- Q. I did everything as instructed above, and now my game doesn't
- work. How do I resolve the conflict?
-
- A. The quickest way to resolve any conflicts between QEMM and your
- game is to run through TROUBLE.TEC, a Quarterdeck Technical
- Note in your QEMM\TECHNOTE directory. This note will walk you
- through a clear and straightforward troubleshooting procedure.
-
-
- ** SPECIAL NOTE - KNOWN INCOMPATIBILITIES **
-
- The following games are known to be either incompatible with
- QEMM, or require special handling. Some games will not run
- with any memory management software because the game designers
- are ignoring industry standards and taking memory management into
- their own hands.
-
- Tornado (by Spectrum Holobyte) - Do not load COMMAND.COM or Stacks
- high.
-
- Links386 (by Access) - Make sure you are using their latest
- version, QEMM 7.04 (or later), and add VS:Y to the end of the
- QEMM386.SYS line in your CONFIG.SYS.
-
- DOS4GW v1.9 Extended Games: Rebel Assault, SimCity 2000, DOOM.
- The DOS-Extender these games use may not function properly
- with AMI BIOS systems using the Hidden Refresh option. For the
- games to function properly, disable this option, or obtain the
- latest release from the game manufacturer.
-
- Commanche (by NovaLogic) - Will not run with any Expanded memory
- manager by design. You must use HIMEM.SYS or equivalent XMS
- manager only.
-
- ******************************************************************
- * Trademarks are property of their respective owners. *
- * This and other technical notes may be available in updated *
- * forms through Quarterdeck's standard support channels. *
- * Copyright (C) 1995 Quarterdeck Corporation *
- ******************** E N D O F F I L E ***********************
-