DOS Merge, NIC and Windows

  1. DOS MERGE by default loads a special extended memory manager called MERGEXMS.SYS. It also loads DOS into the High Memory Area. MERGEXMS.SYS is the only Extended Memory Manager that can used with DOS services. (Users Guide 149)

    On MERGE 4+ it is called MRGXMS

  2. DOS MERGE by default sets expanded memory to 1 meg. You can easily request more.

    Note: You should not request more memory that you need because it wastes system resources. (Users Guide 150-151). 

         dos +aems          1 meg of memory
    
     dos +aems#         # = 1-8, for 1-8 megs 
    

     
     dos +m2 		2 megs of extended memory 
     

    
     dosopt +m2 +acom2 ads -> this adds 2 megs of extended memory and
                              grab COM2 when this script file '/usr/ias/bin/ads'
                              is executed from the IAS Command line '!ads'.

  3. To see the way the DOS MERGE session is set press <Ctrl> <Esc> then <Ctrl> I.

    To kill a DOS session to a <LEFT><Ctrl><Esc> <LEFT><Ctrl><K>.

  4. DOS MERGE supports loading DOS into high memory. This may not happen during installation of ODT 2.0 or Merge 2.0. You will need to create a new DOS Image manually for this to happen. (See Discover Vol. 7, No. 2 for details)

    # cd /usr/merge/image
    # rm config.mki
    # /usr/bin/mkimg

    You will also need to do this if you change BUFFERS or LASTDRIVE. See "Making new DOS images" in the Administering DOS Services Section of the SCO System Administrator's Guide.

    Note: If you get the following message:

    Cannot find /usr/merge/dosroot/dos/boot.dsk

    DOS isn't totally installed. Go into 'startx' and install DOS.

  5. If you can use a modem under DOS MERGE with out first disabling the COM port. But you may have to change the premissions for DOS MERGE to access the device.

    chmod 666 /dev/tty1a
    chmod 666 /dev/tty1A

    Note: That I used the lower case device, not the upper case as you would expect. DOS MERGE looks for the lower case device.

    Note: Under OpenServer5 you have to remove the MOUSE associated with the serial port you are using the modem on. ex: COM1. If you don't you can use the modem under ROOT but not under any other user. In other words ROOT and grap the port to call out but the users will get a message saying the port is in uses or has incorrect permissions.

  6. DOS MERGE error VM_DIED: dos: error: the VM86 process died. Occurs when an application in DOS MERGE attempts to use 286-protected, or 386-protected mode. Merge 2.0 or lower supports only real mode.

    Some applications allow you to invoke them in a specific mode.

  7. The command /usr/lib/merge/instdx.sh corrects the permissions and link to /bin/dos.

  8. The devices used by DOS MERGE are defined in the /etc/dosdev file. This file should match ours and there is a copy of this file called /usr/lib/merge/dosdev. So if need be copy these file to the /etc/dosdev file.

  9. If there are having problems with 3151 terminals under DOS MERGE like the Page/UP and Page/Down keys not working. Check the /usr/lib/terminfo/3/3151 file and make sure it matches ours. If not do the following:

    cd /usr/lib/terminfo
    tic pcssc.src

  10. DOS MERGE drive J: should be set to the following:

    -OpenServer 5 -> /usr/ldbin
    +OpenServer 5 -> /usr/merge/dosroot

    Note: Do not restore the entire 'dosroot' directory from an older version of Merge. This will cause problems by overwriting the new version of Merge with the older version.

    If this happens the following may solve the problem.

    (1) ln -s /opt/K/SCO/Merge/3.2.2t/usr/lib/merge/dosside /usr/merge/dosroot/merge

    (2) dosinstall

    4 - MS-DOS 6.22 (from built in files)

    Note: 'dosinstall' will remove the existing version of DOS before installing the 6.22 version. You may also have to reconstruct the 'autoexec.bat' file.

  11. To access the CD-ROM drive under DOS MERGE prior to MERGE 4.0 add the following line to the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.

    mscdex /d:mergecd1 /L:K /M:8

    "K" is the drive letter you want the CD-ROM to be assigned. The drive letter can be any number greater that "J". (See Page 55 - SCO Merge User's Guide)
    To access the CD-ROM under DOS MERGE 4.0 do the following.

    1. Start the SCO login or startx
    2. Click on Merge Tools
    3. Click on Merge Setup
      1. Highlight "Personal Merge Session Configuration: dos"
      2. Click on "ok" - double clicking will not work
      3. Click "Drives & Filesystems". A window will appear showing the current drive configuration.
      4. Click on "Add"
        1. Use the up/down arrows next to Drive until "K" is displayed.
        2. Click on "CD-ROM" it should say "Devices: /dev/cd0"
        3. Click "OK"
      5. Click "Save"

  12. To install Windows 3.1 or 3.11 under DOS MERGE, enter the following command to start the installation.

    winsetup

    Note: On DOS MERGE versions prior to 3.2.1 install windows to the "D:\WINDOWS" directory. Which is the users personal drive.

    C> - Root main directory
    D> - Users personal directory

    On DOS MERGE version 3.2.1 or higher install windows to the "C:\WINDOWS" directory. Which is the users personal drive.

    D> - Root main directory
    C> - Users personal directory

    To install Windows 95 MERGE 4.0, enter the following command to start the installation.

    instwin95cd

    Once Windows 95 is installed bring up Windows and install the following:


    * If you don't change the adapter and try to bring Windows up on one of the SunRiver Terminals the screen will appear on the main console. Changing to this adapter will bring the Windows screen up on the SunRiver terminal.

    Note: You may have to install DOS Version 7 before you can and install Windows. You do this with "instdos7cd". This will install DOS 7 from the Windows CD-ROM. This shouldn't take any time at all to do. See DOS MERGE 4.0 file in this directory for more information.

    Note: After upgrading a persons version of Merge you may get a message similar to this when booting up:

    Warning: Not automatically creating DOS image files

    This means that the system can't create the DOS image files in '/usr/merge/image/std/vga'.

    Go into 'startx' under root and try the following:

    Merge Tools -> Merge Setup -> System Wide Merge Administration

    1. Create DOS Images
    2. Install DOS

  13. DOS MERGE allows for 32 simultaneous sessions. You can increase or decrease this limit by changing the MERGE_MAX_SESS kernel parameter.

  14. To change way the function keys are used to switch between partitions. Use SWITCHKEY. By changing the sequence you can get around the way some DOS programs use ALT FN(n) to do things.

    switchkey -ca /* you will have to do a CTRL ALT FN(n) to swith out of a MERGE partition */
    switchkey -a /* will change it back to normal */

    Note: SWITCHKEY is set back to normal everytime you do a shutdown.

  15. You can start a program directly under DOS MERGE by keying:

    dos {name} /* where name is the name of the program ie:ticfs

    You can start a program without executing the AUTOEXEC batch file:

    dos +p{name} /* where name it name of the program ie: +pj.bat

    Note: I the last cast the name must match exactly. If the name is in lower case letters. You must key in lower case letters. It you keyed in caps the system will not find the program.

    Note: The program must be the current directory or you must speify the full path. ie +p$HOME/j.bat

  16. DOS MERGE if the person is having problems running programs. Run a VERIFY on the MERGE to see if any programs are messed up. Valley had a problem where some rating programs but not all would lock up. I turns out that the file list below was damaged. The permissions and size were correct, but the 'sum -r' was wrong.
    /usr/lib/merge/bios.rom

    Run '/usr/ias/bin/fixdos' to correct the permissions on the files.

    /usr/ias/bin/fixdos jam /usr/merge/dosroot/erie

    Manual method.

    find {directory} -type f -exec chmod 666 {} \;

  17. You can change the default printer class for a DOS MERGE user by adding a line similar to the line below to their personal AUTOEXEC.BAT.
    printer lpt1 unix "lp -d99"

    dir >lpt1 /* to test */

  18. If the colors under DOS MERGE 4.0 don't look right. Change the color scheme to 'DOS primary colors (16 Colors)' or under 'srstartx'.

    srstartx -> options -> preferneces editor -> color -> DOS Primary Colors

    Check the '/usr/lib/grafinfo/grafdev' file to see what the resolution the SunRiver terminals are set to.

  19. The SUBST command under DOS MERGE is valid only for actual directories.

    AUTOEXEC.BAT
    SUBST F: D:\USR\IAS\FDRIVE

    To create a virtual drive for DOS MERGE.

    /usr/lib/merge/mkvdisk -s /usr/ias/fdrive.dsk 10000

    This will create a file called '/usr/ias/fdrive.dsk' that is 10 megs in size.

    dos +af:=/usr/ias/fdrive.dsk

  20. To install MERGE 4.0.2 you will need the following:

    1. SCO Version 5.0.4c or higher
    2. Merge Certificate of License and Authenticity
    3. Merge 4.0.2
    4. Boundless 3.0.8 Drivers
    5. SCO OSS467A

      Install
    1. OSS467A *
    2. 3.0.8 Boundless Drivers
    3. Modify '/usr/lib/grafinfo/grafdev' **
    4. Run 'mkdev mouse' ***
    5. vi /etc/conf/pack.d/ss/space.c
    6. Merge 4.0.2
    7. Windows 95 *****

    * You can also install it after installing the Boundless Rivers without a problem. This fixes the problem with srstartx starting on the console.

    ** This file tells the system what resolution to use then using 'srstartx'.

    /dev/tty00a:boundless.stuvga.svga.640x480-256
    /dev/tty10a:boundless.mcvga.svga.800x600-15-56

    Note: You may have to change the permissions for you can write to the file.

    *** Set up a mouse for each Boundless terminal. You may have to modify '/usr/lib/event/devices' and '/use/lib/event/ttys' to put the mouse back in for the main console. Adding the first Boundless mouse erases this entry.

    Note: Next time try setting up a mouse on COM2 first to see it will retain an entry for the main console.

    **** Add the following lines to the end of the file.

    /* New Stubs */
    int asy_is_assigned() { return 0; }
    int asy_key_fordos() { return 0; }
    int mrgGetMem() { return 1; }

    ***** Use 'startmrgx' to access Windows with Merge 4.0.2. This will give you a full screen.
    Use 'fwin' to access Windows with Merge 4.1.1. This will give you a full screen.

  21. If you change the 'AUTOEXEC.BAT' file to go to drive "J:" before installing Windows 95 you will get the following message when you try 'instwin95cd'.

    Finished first phase of installation
    ERROR 24: Windows failed the initial install
    cannot continue. Exiting.

  22. To setup the 3COM network card and Termulator II.

    1. Control Panel -> Network -> Highlight TCP/IP 3COM Fast Etherlink -> Properties -> IP Address -> 125.0.0.{Port off hub the cable is hooked to} -> Subnet Mask -> 255.255.255.0 -> OK

    2. Install Termulator II

      Start -> Run -> A:Setup -> C:\TLW -> Typical Install -> Termulator II Program Group -> "Check" Launch Program -> Finish -> Type in REG CODE and SERIAL #

    3. Start Termulator II

      Configure -> Port Settings -> TELNET -> Address of Host -> 125.0.0.1 Configure -> Other -> On Disconnect -> Close Window


    Note: Check the '/etc/ttytype' file and make sure the pseudo tty's are set to 'scoansi'.

  23. When you click on the Unix Icon on the startx desktop nothing happens. The screen will blink and come right back to the desktop. The '/etc/termcap' file is corrupt. Check the file and need be user customextract to restore the file from the SCO CD-ROM.

    customextract -m /dev/cd0 ./var/opt/K/SCO/Unix/5.0.5Eb/etc/termcapS

    Note:: See SCO Techincal Article #105761

  24. To reinstall Merge if the system won't let you.

    1. cd /var/opt/K/SCO
    2. rm -r Merge
    3. cd
    4. scoadmin -> Software Manger -> New Install

    Note: Software Manger will show that Merge is installed but the system will allow you to do a New Install.