DOS, Games and Windows 95

Games written in DOS avoid the system conflicts and memory requirements of Windows. By developing a program for the DOS environment, programmers can devote the entire system to the program, disallowing conflicts that would arise in a Widows environment and providing the game with all the memory and hardwire resources it needs for optimal performance.

There are two ways to operate in DOS via Windows 95:

1.      Moving to DOS mode.

2.      Opening a DOS session.

DOS programs that use memory managers, such as DPMI, do nor run well in a DOS - Window. But, a lot of DOS games use these kind of memory managers. So, Windows has a separate MS-DOS mode to handle this class of game. In DOS mode all but a tiny amount of Windows is removed from the memory, allowing the DOS program to have complete control over the system resources.

Alternately, you can open a DOS session in a Window. You can operate the DOS program in a DOS environment while Windows maintains control over the computer ( and can even run other operations in the background).

Both approaches have their advantages, and your choice depends on your particular goal. Some games will run fine in a DOS session, and some will require the DOS mode. For resolving system conflicts, installing and configuring games, it is often easiest to enter DOS mode because there are fewer items to distract or obstruct the program on which you are working.

If the game will run smoothly in a DOS session, then running it will avoid restarting your computer to go into, and return from DOS mode.

To Start in DOS mode

The easiest way to run in DOS mode is to select: Restart in MS-DOS mode from Win 95 Shut Down menu.

You are then running in DOS 7.0 without Window 95s presence (apart from a small amount, which is used for rebooting purposes).

To load the game:

To Start a DOS session

This opens a DOS window, with a menu bar that allows you to copy, cut, paste, change fonts and alter property sheets. It is a window that can be used just like any other.

Property Sheets

To check or change a program's properties:

A dialog box opens, with six tabs:

·         General

·         Program

·         Font

·         Memory

·         Screen

·         Miscellaneous

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