 The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group A Beginner's Tale: Part 17 Ron Wilby |
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Does your computer boot up with that wretched NumLock (should it be called NumbLock?) on? Some don't mind this, I hate it. Here's what you can do if you have DOS 6.x.
Use your text editor to put the line NUMLOCK OFF in your CONFIG.SYS file. Alternatively, you can alter the BIOS-see later.
You DOS Have a Choice
When we talk and write about DOS, we usually Microsoft's MS-DOS. It's the one we all buy when we first start or when we upgrade, sometimes to our sorrow, as readers of this column will know. But there are alternatives if Microsoft is abandoning MS-DOS.
OS/2
This is IBM's version of what an Operating System should be. It was created right from Square One and has none of the limitations of MS-DOS. OS/2 is a 32-bit system (DOS is 16-bit) which can use all the memory you can throw at it. It is fast and the High Performance File System will open the eyes of those brought up on DOS. You will be able to run all the Applications which will soon appear in the much better 32-bit format. However, OS/2 isn't really a DOS alternative, it's one level higher in Operating Systems.
The other alternatives are Novell's DOS 7 (used to be called DR DOS) and IBM's PC-DOS 6.1. DOS 7 has some features not available in the Microsoft and IBM versions, and these may make a change worthwhile. IBM's PC-DOS has some features which may interest you, and both DOS 7 and PC-DOS have much better disk compression systems than Microsoft's pesky DoubleSpace.
So, what's the answer? My view is, you should stick with what you have now. If you want a better Operating System, think very carefully about the hardware requirements of OS/2. It really is a step up.
Bonking the BIOS
Do you feel like playing with your BIOS a bit? Read on! As you are now studying Part 17 of this series you're not really a beginner, are you? So let's have some fun and get some important information as well. But first, some revision, since some of you may not have read the earlier episodes of this series, and some (Horror) may have forgotten!
BIOS Basics
At switch on time, before the operating system can operate, we need something to start the whole thing, something to breathe life into our dead computer. This something is called the BIOS (stands for Basic Input Output System) and it is built into the computer when you buy it. For the technically minded, the BIOS is programmed into an EPROM (a large chip on the motherboard). No BIOS, no go! When you switch on your BIOS is ready and waiting and performs POST (Power On Self Test). This is the beeping and scraping you hear at startup. POST checks that your hardware is in working condition, and you will see on screen messages from the BIOS in the first half-minute or so after power on.
Running Setup
During this POST routine, you will see a message like (for AMI BIOS)
Hit DEL to run Setup.
You must do this fairly quickly. If you miss it, press Ctrl+Alt+Del together and have another go.
Other ways of entering the BIOS setup routine are by pressing and holding any key or by pressing Ctrl+Del+Esc during POST. Which one you have depends on your BIOS manufacturer.
I'm describing the process for those who are using AMI BIOS. Other BIOS versions won't give you the same messages, but the steps will be similar. Pressing Del will get you the BIOS Setup program Menu. Select Standard CMOS Setup and Enter, and you get warnings of dire disaster. Fear not, there'll be no disaster unless you do silly things, and anyway there are default values you can select and load if you really mess it up. But listen to Ron and you won't!
Vital Information
Go on to the next screen and you now have a lot of info about all your hardware. Next, check the line which deals with your hard disk, the C: drive. If it says Type 47, USER TYPE, followed by number of cylinders, heads, sectors, landing zone and disk size, then do this and do it now! Write down everything which is there and stick it firmly to the inside of your computer's case. Why? Because Type 47 is the "User Selected" number for hard disk details, and all our friendly dealers put Type 47 when they first install your hard disk. They then tell the BIOS what that means, and off you go. Just one problem! Only the dealer's technician knows what he told the BIOS, and if you have problems three years after you bought the thing, and those problems lose the CMOS settings, will you be able to find that technician? So write it down! There is also a Shareware program in our library which saves these settings to a disk file. The filename is CMOS_RAM.EXE, and if you type CMOS RAM at the prompt you will be guided through the necessary steps. Note that you need to install the program first, then run it. This creates a file with all your details. You must copy this file to your disaster floppy, ready for use when trouble comes. This program really works.
Rewards for Bravery
Now, if you're feeling brave enough, go back to your menu and select Advanced CMOS Setup. Then,
DO NOTHING
Before you touch a key, write down everything that's on the screen. You may not be able to use PrintScreen, because you are not yet in DOS (although some BIOS enable PrintScreen during POST), so write it down, leave it well alone or take the consequences with a smile. Now you will find quite a few things you can do to your BIOS. For example:
| System Boot Up Numlock System Boot Up CPU Speed System Boot Up Sequence |
set it to off. set it to high. set it to A:, C: |
Changing the boot-up CPU speed will produce dramatic increases in your computer's speed. Try it.
The System Boot Up Sequence is vitally important. You must have A: before
C:, then DOS will look at the A: drive first then go on to C:. The reverse can be fatal. If DOS looks at C: first, and your hard disk has died, there is nowhere to go. You can't use panic or disaster disks, they rely on DOS looking at the A: drive first. So make sure your
Boot Up Sequence is the right way round. (Ed: If you do leave it with C: before A:, and your hard disk dies, you can usually get back to the CMOS setup and change the sequence to C:, A: so that you can boot from your disaster disk. The major advantage of not looking at the A: drive during the boot process is that you cannot be infected by a boot
sector virus when you unintentionally leave an infected disk in drive A:. You "pays your money and takes your
choice" - nothing's perfect. PS)
Last thing to do is save your BIOS settings as the Setup program directs. Remember that you are not yet into DOS, so most commands will not work.
So that's it. You've been into the BIOS and successfully escaped. On second thoughts, maybe it's better you leave it all alone.
Till next month. . .
Reprinted from the May 1994 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
