Help with 486

[Retroman839]

 

[Spanky]

Every time the text editor saves a file it writes a .bak file for the file being edited so it's the last edit which might have overwritten a change you want to keep.
It is much safer to manage the backups yourself by copying the good file to a numbered backup.

Check the contents of the file using the command "more config.bak" to see what's in it.

No, wait, it's the old 8-character limit on the file name. I don't think you're correct. CONFIG.BACKUP → short name: CONFIG.B~K
Surely?

 

[Spanky]

Retroman839, do a VER and let us know what version we're dealing with here.​

 

[mlynn]

Typo on line 2 in config.sys:
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0/BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:3

Should be:
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0/BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:3
I can't remember if it all has to be on one line or if it is allowed to be on multiple lines.

 

[Retroman839]

 

[Retroman839]

Typo on line 2 in config.sys:
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0/BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:3

Should be:
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0/BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:3
I can't remember if it all has to be on one line if it is allowed to be on multiple lines.

This is the thing
I don’t remeber it being this ?
Also this top line
Files =40


I don’t remeber that either ?

 

[Spanky]

FILES= tells DOS how many simultaneous open files are allowed for DOS programs. So not really a big deal

 

[Retroman839]

On side note
My 486 thinks it’s Christmas
And arcadeos is snowing

 

[Retroman839]

It all started when I plugged a keyboard into my spare ps/2 port .

I received a message that soundblaster enviromemt was no longer set

 

[mlynn]

FILES=40 is the maximum number of file handles that can be open in DOS.
This may have been added by the Windows 98 loader. I can't remember. It has been over 25 years.

The device command might have been written by the SoundBlaster diagnostic program.
I would definitely put the device command all on one line:
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0/BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:3
Reboot and then test.

A handy command to order the files by directory first in autoexec.bat is:
SET DIRCMD=/OGN
Which can still be used to this day for the Windows 10 command prompt!

 

[Retroman839]

It all started when I plugged a keyboard into my spare ps/2 port

 

[Retroman839]

FILES=40 is the maximum number of file handles that can be open in DOS.
This may have been added by the Windows 98 loader. I can't remember. It has been over 25 years.

The device command might have been written by the SoundBlaster diagnostic program.
I would definitely put the device command all on one line:
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS /UNIT=0/BLASTER=A:220 I:5 D:1 H:3
Reboot and then test.

A handy command to order the files by directory first in autoexec.bat is:
SET DIRCMD=/OGN
Which can still be used to this day for the Windows 10 command prompt!

I already put it all on one line as you mentioned.
No sound though yet

 

[mlynn]

Were you using a 5 pin DIN keyboard previously and now using a PS/2 keyboard?

If so I would power off the machine and disconnect the PS/2 keyboard and go back to what you were using previously.
I don't think a PS/2 keyboard would cause a DMA or IRQ conflict with the soundcard.

 

[Retroman839]

Were you using a 5 pin DIN keyboard previously and now using a PS/2 keyboard?

If so I would power off the machine and disconnect the PS/2 keyboard and go back to what you were using previously.
I don't think a PS/2 keyboard would cause a DMA or IRQ conflict with the soundcard.

Yes I think this is what’s occurred …

Can I show you my bios settings ?maybe you see what’s occurring ?

My irQ for SB is 5

 

[Retroman839]

 

[Retroman839]

I don’t think this irQ for mouse was ever enabled ?

I don’t use mouse but would be good for mame . But I’m sure it was never set to enabled before .

 

[mlynn]

A PS/2 keyboard would typically use IRQ 1. I can't remember IRQ 12 being used for a mouse. Serial mice used to be read by polling.

Maybe set DRQ 1: Enabled
In the BIOS because the soundcard is configured to use DMA 1.

 

[Retroman839]

it has also made my

A PS/2 keyboard would typically use IRQ 1. I can't remember IRQ 12 being used for a mouse. Serial mice used to be read by polling.

Maybe set DRQ 1: Enabled
In the BIOS because the soundcard is configured to use DMA 1.

Anything to do with this DMA?

 

[Retroman839]

It must be something in the bios because I have the
Hard drive image backed up
And this is a restore hdd I’m using Só maybe all the files are fine and it’s just one irQ setting is off ?

 

[mlynn]

It seems like it. As far as I remember hard disks would go slow in Windows 98 if the DMA setting was not set correctly in the BIOS.

This video may help:

If all is set correctly the Hard Disk DMA checkbox will be available and be able to be set in Windows 98.