rec.autos.simulators

Since everyone using Windows and GP2 have been mailing me lately asking how to make multiple startup configs
even when youre using Win95, Id might as well put it here too.

For all those using Win95 who wants to run GP2 in DOS, here goes:

MAKING MULTIPLE STARTUP CONFIGS (WHEN RUNNING WINDOWS 95)

Fisrt of all youll have to be familiar with how to use multiple startup configs under DOS 6 and above. If
youre not then get hold of someone with a DOS manual (if you dont have one your self).

STEP 1
Make a new set of AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files (dont replace your current ones yet so make them on a
seperate disk preferably). Make one menuitem for Win95 and the rest you can make how ever youd like em (at
least one for DOS). Copy the contents of your current AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS (the ones Win95 uses) and
place them under your Win95 startup config in your new AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. Be sure to add the
word WIN at the bottom of the Win95 startup config in you AUTOEXEC.BAT file since youll actually be starting
Win95 from DOS now. (note: Its best to have a separate Win95 startup config eventhough you might be able to
start Windows from any startup config by just typing WIN at the DOS prompt).
At the top of each startup config for DOS in your CONFIG.SYS file add the line DOS=NOAUTO.
Now you can add everything youd like to your DOS startup configs, for example mouse drivers, sound drivers
etc. just as if you were using DOS (which you actually are now).

STEP 2
When youre all set with your new AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files theres one more thing to do before
copying them to your root directory and replacing the ones there.
In your root directory theres a hidden file named MSDOS.SYS. Youll have to edit this file to make Win95 work
with your new set of startup files. Youll have to use an editor that can switch file attributes like
read-only on/off (to be able to save your changes). Copy this file to another place before starting to edit
(preferably the disk with your new CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files).
Add the missing lines and change the existing ones so they match the following:

This is what your MSDOS.SYS file should look like after everythings been added:

[Paths]
WinDir=C:\WINDOWS
WinBootDir=C:\WINDOWS
HostWinBootDrv=C

[Options]
BootMulti=1
BootGUI=0
Bootkeys=1
Bootdelat=0
Bootmenu=1
Bootme***lay=5
Logo=0
Network=1
;
; The following lines are req
;
; xxxxxxxxxxx.
; xxxxxx

Dont mind all those xs and everything at the bottom of the file,  theyre just needed to make the file
larger than 1024 bytes. If you for some reason should have some other WinDir than WINDOWS leave it as it is.
The same goes for if you dont use drive C as your boot drive.

When youve finished editing MSDOS.SYS save the changes and set all file attributes (read-only) back to as it
was before you started editing.

STEP 3
Make backup copies (just incase) of your old CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT and MSDOS.SYS files (which still should
be in your root directory). After that replace them with your new files.

STEP 4
Reboot your computer. Now there should be a menu to choose from. Choose NORMAL ( If you dont make a choise
within 5 seconds NORMAL is automatically chosen). This brings you to your DOS menu for multiple startup
configs. Choose the Win95 (or whatever name you typed in to use in the menu) for Windows or choose DOS (or
whatever name you used for your other configs) to boot your computer to  DOS 7.00.

!!! NOTE !!!
I wont be responsible for anything that might happen if you mess around. But dont worry, it works for me and
should work for everyone as long as you know what youre doing.

Kristian Langdell

LB

On Fri, 26 Jul 1996 04:18:37 +0200, Kristian Langdell

Here an easier method that I use.

1. I have a config sys that only loads the CD rom driver (because I
will need it in a DOS game.

2. My Autoexec contains only the paths and soundcard strings (you know
that enviroment crap) and anything you might have to have for win95.
But I do not have the other half of the CD ROM driver (MCSDEX ?? Or
whatever its called). This lets 95 use its 32bit cd rom driver when in
95 so you still get autorun and stuff like that to work.

3. Now any drivers or anything you really need to run in DOS (like the
other half of the CDROM driver) put in a bat file called DOSSTART.BAT
in the win95 directory (this should look like your old autoexec.bat
file).

4. Now when you are in win95 all you have to do is select msdos mode
current config under the programs properties.

What happens is that after the program reboots to DOS it automatically
loads the DOSSTART.BAT file so all your DOS drivers are loaded and
then executes the program you clicked on.

I find this the best solution because it works with every DOS game I
have and still doesn't load a butch of 16bit drivers (only the CDROM
driver but win95 will not use it because it can't find the other part
so it only reeally get used in DOS). So once you get this setup from
then on you only have to select DOS Mode currect config and away you
go.  

Oh yea, make sure to optimize the whole thing with your mem manager.

Bill