Tips for Windows 3.1/3.11

Some of the following tips require making changes to files that are important for the proper operation of DOS and Windows, such as AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, WIN.INI, etc. It is strongly recommended that you backup or make copies of these files before making any changes to them.

Force Standard Mode

Run Windows faster on some 386/486 systems by starting in Standard mode. Type win /s at the DOS prompt to launch Windows. Try running Standard mode if you don't need DOS applications or if you run only one non-graphic DOS application at a time. Windows tries to start in the mode indicated by the computer and the expectations set by the Windows Setup program. You can usually force 386 Enhanced mode on a 32-bit computer by typing win /3. Windows' 386 Enhanced mode delivers DOS multitasking and gives DOS applications access to emulated expanded memory, among other features. Starting in 386 Enhanced mode requires more conventional memory than in Standard mode, but running many programs simultaneously in Standard mode could require more extended RAM. If Windows loads automatically when you start the system, you can edit the win command in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file to load the mode you want automatically.

Cool Tips for CoolSwitching

Hold down the Alt key and press Tab repeatedly to cycle through the titles of all your open applications quickly. When the application you want is displayed, simply let go of the Alt key and it will come to the surface. If you go too far, hold down Alt and Shift and press Tab to go backward. To stay in the application that's currently open, press the Esc key (while Alt is still pressed) and the CoolSwitch panel will return you to your app.

Remove Double Buffering

Type SMARTDRV at the DOS prompt to determine whether your system needs the double buffering Windows sometimes sets up automatically during its installation. If every entry under the the buffering column in the table shows no, you can turn off double buffering. Double buffering can slow down disk access somewhat, but should be removed only if you are sure you don't need it. Most disk controllers don't require it, but some ESDI and SCSI controllers need it to prevent disk errors. Select File/Run, type SYSEDIT and go to the CONFIG.SYS file. Delete the "/double-buffer" parameter on the SMARTDRV.EXE line.

Control File Manager Confirmations

You can stop File Manager from asking you to confirm actions like copies and moves. To turn off confirmation messages, choose Options/Confirmation and clear the check boxes for tasks you want to perform without confirmation. Now you can clean house without interruptions.

Identify When You're in a Windows DOS Session

Ever stare at a DOS prompt and wonder if you're looking at DOS from outside Windows or at DOS in a full-screen DOS box? Just add the line: SET WINPMT=You're in Windows!$_$P$G to either your AUTOEXEC.BAT file or the file you use to launch Windows (usually WIN.COM). Then you'll know where you are, because the information to the right of the equal sign replaces your normal DOS prompt while Windows is running. By the way, the sequence$_ splits the prompt into two lines, $P is replaced by the current drive and $G is replaced by the current directory. The rest is pretty obvious!

Recover a Wandering Window

Sometimes an application's title bar (which you use to move a window) and menus end up off your visible screen and beyond your reach. To move the offender, double click on the desktop to bring up the Task List and click on Cascade or Tile. Your application window will snap right back in place.

Skip the Programs in Your StartUp Group

If you don't want Windows to load the programs in your StartUp program Group, hold down the Shift key while Windows is loading.

Win at Minesweeper Every Time

Launch Minesweeper and type XYZZY; press the Enter key, then the Shift key. Move the mouse pointer over the game and notice that, whenever it's over a safe square, the pixel in the upper-left corner of your desktop turns white. Make sure you close or minimize all other applications before you start Minesweeper and use dark wallpaper to make sure you can see that pixel!

Disable Screen Savers While Downloading

Turn off any screen savers, such as After Dark, when you're downloading large files. The screen saver will steal CPU time from the process and make it slower.

Use the Right Files

Make sure you're using the most recent versions of two important memory management files, HIMEM.SYS and SMARTDRV.SYS. if you use MD-DOS 5.0 and Windows 3.1, the versions in the WINDOWS directory are the ones you want. If you've upgraded to MS-DOS 6.0 or higher, you'll want to use the versions in the DOS directory. If you don't know which version of DOS you have, go to the DOS prompt ant type VER to get the current version of DOS.

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