🚀 go-pugleaf

kreidler@convex.rz.uni-duesseldorf.de (Homer Simpson) writes:

>In our institute we will get SDK 3.1 for Windows 3.1.
>Unfortunately they told us it will not work with himem.sys and emm383.exe.
>We *must* use a software called 386 Blue Max (sp?). Has anyone an idea of
>configuring such a thing, what shall be a problem.

Quick answer #1: if you are planning to do all your development under
Windows, just ignore the issue.

Quick answer #2: if you will be using a C compiler other than MSC version
7, just ignore the issue.

Somewhat longer answer:

Version 7 of the Microsoft C compiler requires a DPMI (DOS Protected Mode
Interface) memory manager to execute.  It requires the interface defined
by DPMI version 0.9, plus the nonstandard MS extensions to that spec.

[An aside: ain't standards wonderful, especially when ignored?]

A DOS application running under Windows 3.1 is provided with the necessary
DPMI interface by Windows itself and nothing needs to be done to DOS.

If you are running a barefoot DOS application which requires DPMI you must
have previously modified your system to include a DPMI server.  Since
DOS does not include a built-in DPMI server, the MSC version 7 package
includes a full retail copy of Qualitas' memory manager 386-to-the-Max.
386^max is a replacement for HIMEM which provides all of its functions,
plus those of emm386, as well as providing the necessary DPMI services.

386^max will run on all '386 systems (the documented minimum chip for MSC7)
as well as many '286 machines.  There is a variant of 386^max called Blue Max
which includes code to squeeze a little more memory out of IBM PS/2
adapter BIOS address space, but 386^max will work on a PS/2.

Last time I looked the Qualitas product was claimed to be the only 
commercial memory manager which offered the necessary DPMI interfaces.
QEMM and others will probably become capable of doing this in the 
future (if they haven't already done so).

The only difference I know of between the 386^max package in the MSC7
box and what you can buy from a retail store is that the copy you
get with MSC7 includes a coupon you can send back to Qualitas to
get a copy of Blue Max (replacing the 386^max in the C7 box).  Cost
of the upgrade is US$20 plus US$25 for shipping outside of continental
US.

You may be able to get the upgrade and/or additional info from the 
European office of Qualitas.  The Rolodex card in my kit shows:

   Qualitas SA 
   Brussels, Belgium
   Voice:  32 2 648-5470
   Fax:    32 2 648-5440


Joe Morris / MITRE