Karen Lewellen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> there is just one problem it also has windows 95.
> it has the lotus suite and quicken special edition but......
> windows 95.
>
> will may first step need to be to reformat the drive right away,
> and partition it properly? it has 16 mg or ram, but i will upgrade
> this to 32.
> sometime.
> i *want to avoid problems!!!* so am asking in advance.
Karen - you're in luck! Windows 95 is the most stable version of
microsoft bloatware available - and it not only can be set to boot
up in DOS, with the graphics off - you can run any existing DOS
program inside a virtual "DOS box" retaining all of the special
windows functionality.
To my knowledge, there isn't a single windoze application (win 95,
98, NT, ME, or 2000) that fails to work properly under win 95.)
Of course, windows setup is extremely frustrating for anyone -
including the sighted - because it will try to do things without
your knowledge or permission. (Example: I have a non-winmodem
56k that provides voicemail functions via a .WAV "device".
Sometimes, this interferes with the built-in sound card, and windows
will try to reinstall the device drivers - in GUI mode - at boot-up.)
Be aware that the modem already installed may be a winmodem, and
useless for most DOS programs. It took me about a half hour,
searching through a couple of dozen 56k modem models at Best Buy,
before I found a single example on the shelves which was NOT a
winmodem. (The wording on the boxes had to be read VERY carefully.)
The term "winmodem" is a trademark of one manufacturer, so the
others have to say "Compatible with win 95, 98, etc." or similar,
instead. Not one of them says "Doesn't work without windows!".
Purchase of an external modem is no guarantee of functionality
anymore, either. However, "Works with LINUX" might also mean "Can
work under DOS". Get a return privilege BEFORE you buy, if it is
not workable under DOS. The sales staff is of course clueless to
such things.
Just remember this sequence, if nothing else:
Under all current win versions, move the mouse to the extreme left
and down, where the "start" button is located. A click here will
allow you to press "R" (for "Run"), opening a box which will permit
you to type "Command.com" and the ENTER key. This will result in
an instant, familiar DOS environment to work with.
One more thing: large hard disks (gigabyters) require either 32-bit
access (available in win 95 release 2, and win 98 and up) or one of
those disk-manufacturer's programs that split the disk into multiple
drive letters of a smaller size, making it compatible with a 16-bit
operating system. There is NO real advantage to 16 versus 32-bit
access, beyond timing that is too swift to notice. Don't believe
the baloney that "advanced 32-bit programs" require 32 bits. It
simply ain't true.
Good luck with your new machine. I just hope you have a computer-
savvy sighted friend to help. The important part of that sentence
is "computer-savvy" not "sighted" !
- John T.
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