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4cb5a1d122
* Lo-Tech 2Mb EMS * Fix in UART access * video vectors corrected, sdc constraints for sdram, minor tipos to clear warnings
427 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
427 lines
17 KiB
Plaintext
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================================================================================
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FREELOAD.SYS : Ver. 2.1, Copyright (1992,93) by Philip B. Gardner
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================================================================================
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FREELOAD.SYS is a device driver which will help maximize the use of low
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memory by releasing memory usually reserved in low memory by LOADHI.SYS
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from Quarterdeck Office Systems.
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FREELOAD.SYS tracks the high memory device loader operations and if it
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is safe to release the low memory after each device initiates, the low
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memory is released and the driver in upper memory is linked into the DOS
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device chain.
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FREELOAD.SYS can be used to save 1-2k in a typical configuration. The
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actual amount of memory saved depends upon on the number and type of
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device drivers loaded high.
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Support is provided for:
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* fully automatic support of QEMM's LOADHI.SYS and 386MAX's 386LOAD.SYS
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* specifying the name and path of the device loader
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* both character and block devices
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* character drivers which contain an unlimited number of devices
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* DOS Versions 3.1 - 3.31, DOS 4.x, and DOS 5.x (or better?)
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================================================================================
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(Requirements)::
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* Requires MS-DOS Version 3.10 or better
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================================================================================
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(Installation)::
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(CONFIG.SYS)::
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Installation of FREELOAD.SYS requires modifying the contents of
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your CONFIG.SYS file.
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(Generic Configuration)::
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This configuration should work and be the most efficient in 95%
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of all configurations. For a few real world examples see
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EXAMPLES.DOC
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DOS=HIGH[,UMB] (DOS 5.0 only)
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REM DEVICE=STOPMAX.SYS [options] (Stops kernel from loading in HMA)
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DEVICE=(xms/umb memory manager)
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DEVICE=DOSMAX.EXE [options] (DOSMAX loads high automatically)
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS [-S][other options]
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REM DEVICE=LOADHI.SYS DOSMAX.EXE (or DOSMAX loaded high with loader)
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SHELL=SHELLMAX.COM COMMAND.COM /P
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BUFFERS=20
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FILES=40
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LASTDRIVE=Z
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Add a DEVICE= line for FREELOAD.SYS in your config.sys. FREELOAD
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should be loaded immediately after the XMS and UMB memory manager
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DEVICE=(Memory Manager)
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS [options]
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The default loader pathname is "C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS". If FREELOAD
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cannot open this pathname, a message will displayed alerting you
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to "Use /Fpathname to override." An example which uses this switch
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is shown below:
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS /F D:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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Version 1.8 adds full 386MAX support, so if 386MAX is detected, or
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the /A2 switch is used, then the default loader pathname is changed
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to "C:\386MAX\386LOAD.SYS."
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(Tip)::
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If you prefer that a particular device driver is not affected by
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the operation of FREELOAD, place the DEVICE= for that device above
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the DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS entry. This may be necessary in the case
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that a particular driver is not compatible with FREELOAD.
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================================================================================
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(Syntax)::
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The only thing to remember about syntax for the command line is
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that just about anything works. What this means is that you
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should be able to type in the options on the command line the
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way they make sense to you.
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To illustrate this point, the following command line example
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is mutated several different ways.
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS /R+ /P+ /FC:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS -R+ -P+ -F C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS R+ P+ F C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS R+P+FC:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS -R+P+FC:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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... and so on. There must be an EOL or space following the
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filename paramter the /Fpathname switch
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FREELOAD 1.9 and above adds optional full word syntax. The new
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syntax looks like this:
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS /REPORT:- /PAUSE:- /LOADER=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS -REPORT:- -PAUSE:- -LOADER=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS REPORT:- PAUSE:- LOADER=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS REPORT-PAUSE-LOADER=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS -REPORT-PAUSE--LOADER=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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Obviously when using full words, it is easier to keep the words
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separated so that is clear to read. An optional [:] or [=] may be
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used for switches (i.e. REPORT:+ or LOADER=C:\LOADHI.SYS). These
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optional delimiters are used interchangeably and can also be used
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with the single letter switches. Remember to check your spelling
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because the single letter interface is still intact.
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(Switch Options)::
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The following list of switch options is organized by:
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- Control of FREELOAD Reports (/R:/P:/N:)
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- Override the Default Name and Path of the Loader (/F=)
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- Setting the Memory Strategy (/M=)
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- Overriding Directory Structure Size (/D=)
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- Control the Alternate Memory Manager Method (/A=)
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- Controlling the Shrink Feature (/S:)
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- Response file for FREELOAD (@)
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(Control of FREELOAD Reports)::
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(REPORT):: R[+ or -] (toggle: default +)
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Use /R- or /REPORT:- to disable the report after you are
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satisfied with the configuration of DOSMAX.EXE
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(PAUSE):: P[+ or -] (toggle: default +)
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Use /P- or /PAUSE:- to disable the pause after the report as
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long as there are no errors or warnings.
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(NOPAUSE):: N[+ or -] (toggle: default -)
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Use /N+ or /NOPAUSE:+ to never pause after the report, even if
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there are errors. This switch can be used if your configuration
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generates a warning or error message which you choose to ignore.
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(Override the Default Name and Path of the Loader)::
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(LOADER):: F[pathname] (string= default=C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS)
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Use /Fpathname or /LOADER=pathname to specify the filename and path
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of the device loader provided with your upper memory manager. For
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example, if this device driver is on drive D:
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS /FD:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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If FREELOAD cannot find this file, it will not load.
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(Setting the Memory Strategy)::
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(STRATEGY):: Mn (value: n = 0)
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Use /Mn or /STRATEGY=n to control the memory allocation strategy
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which FREELOAD uses to allocate its upper memory block. The default
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strategy is is First Fit (/M0). This means that FREELOAD will use
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the first upper memory block returned by the XMS manager. The other
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options are Best Fit (/M1) and Last Fit (/M2). Best Fit uses the
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block which most closely matches the size needed, and Last Fit uses
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the highest block big enough to handle the request. Values other
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than 0, 1, or 2 are ignored and the previous setting of this option
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is used.
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(Overriding Directory Structure Size)::
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(CDSSIZE):: Dnn (value: nn = 88)
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Use /Dnn or /CDSSIZE=nn to set the Drive Table Size. Values other
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than the MS-DOS 4.0 - 6.0 Drive Table Size of 88 are only allowed if
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the true MS-DOS version is greater than 5.0. The Drive Table Size
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for DOS 3.x is 81. The /Dnn switch is only necessary if FREELOAD
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can't determine the Drive Table Size automatically.
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(Control the Alternate Memory Manager Method)::
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(ALTMETHOD):: An (value: n = 0)
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Use /An to select the method FREELOAD uses to detect and track
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high device loaders. There are 3 possible values. (0), the
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default, means that FREELOAD will automatically select the proper
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method. (1), method 1 is for device loaders compatible with
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LOADHI.SYS from Quarterdeck. (2), method 2 is for device loaders
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compatible with 386LOAD.SYS from Qualitas. This switch is included
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only for debugging purposes.
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(Controlling the Shrink Feature)
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(SHRINK):: S[+ or -] (toggle: default -)
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FREELOAD normally takes approximately 1.4K of high memory. Use /S+
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or /SHRINK:+ to reduce this requirement to 16 bytes just before
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the shell is loaded from CONFIG.SYS. Shrinking may cause problems
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with high memory optimizers, but the switch can be safely used
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after the system is optimized, to free another 1.4K of high memory.
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(Response file for FREELOAD)::
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Parameters for FREELOAD may be read from a response file by using the
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@pathname syntax:
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FREELOAD.SYS @RESPONSE.FIL
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Response files may be commented by using a ";","#",or "*" character
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before the comment.
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* everything in square brackets "[]" is optional
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(CONFIG.SYS Line)::
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DEVICE=FREELOAD.SYS [/ or -][R[+]P[+]N[+]S[+]Fpathname]
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device mode default: /R-/P-/N-/S-/Mn/FC:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS
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* No Report status messages
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* No Pause after report
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* Pause on errors or warnings
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* Use the First Fit memory allocation strategy
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* Default Loader Pathname = "C:\QEMM\LOADHI.SYS"
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================================================================================
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(Report Format)::
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FREELOAD.SYS : Ver. 2.1, Copyright (1992) by Philip B. Gardner
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ERROR : (Error Messages)
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WARNING : (Warning Messages)
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ADVICE : (Advisory Messages)
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: (Report Messages)
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: (Allocation Status)
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PAUSE : Press any key to continue...
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(Report Note)::
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FREELOAD.SYS may be replaced by FREELOAD.OVL. The exact name of the
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module is dependent upon the circumstances under which FREELOAD.SYS
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reports. This detail is important only as diagnostic information.
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================================================================================
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(Error Messages)::
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MS-DOS version 3.10 or above is required
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XMS manager not installed
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DOS version is not compatible
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Can't load in High Memory
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An 80186 processor or better is required
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Device Loader not found
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================================================================================
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(Warning Messages)::
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Unknown option in command line
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Unknown option on line #0000
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Extra characters on command line
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Missing or invalid option file XXXXXXXX.XXX
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Line length overflow at line #0000
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Drive Table Size not determined or out of range
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================================================================================
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(Advisory Messages)::
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Use /Fpathname to override
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Use /Dnn switch to set Drive Table size
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================================================================================
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(Report Messages)::
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Processing option file XXXXXXXX.XXX
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Effection section is [XXXXXXXX]
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Drive Table Size set to 00h
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[pathname] (/Fpathname parameter if error)
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================================================================================
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(Allocation Status)::
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FREELOAD moved to 0000
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Not enough Hi Memory for FREELOAD
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================================================================================
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(Changes)::
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(Version 1.1)::
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(1) Fixed problem where character devices were skipped if a
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block device was loaded first
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(2) Added support for block devices. This grew the size of
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FREELOAD to 880 bytes so FREELOAD now shrinks to 16 bytes
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when finished. This frees a .8k block of upper memory
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which is not needed after all devices are loaded.
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(Version 1.2)::
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(1) Added support for character drivers which contain multiple
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devices. There is a requirement for 16 bytes of low
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memory for a multiple device driver, but this 16 bytes
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supports an unlimited number of devices within the driver.
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Without the 16 bytes, DOS believes the initialization of the
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driver has failed and only the first device is linked.
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(Version 1.3)::
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(1) Fixed problem with failing to build a Drive Parameter Block
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when a multiple device driver ended with a block device.
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(2) Changed automatic reduce to a command line option. FREELOAD
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now takes 1K bytes high. If the /S+ (shrink option is used)
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this size is reduced to 16 bytes just before the shell is loaded.
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(Version 1.4)::
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(1) Improved multiple device failure mode. If a multiple device
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driver has begun the initiate phase and fails, the high device
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is left unlinked, and the loader is left in place with memory
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and the device chain set to the length of the last successful
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initialization. This method more closely emultates DOS.
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(2) Added check that resets FREELOAD if the loader doesn't load the
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device in high memory successfully.
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(3) Optimized code to reduce memory requirement back to 1K
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(Version 1.5)::
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(1) Added base 10 display of Drive Table Size message
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(Version 1.6)::
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(1) Added support for DOS 5 UMB's when moving FREELOAD upto upper
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memory. Some device loaders will work with DOS 5 UMB's, and
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now you can use the loader instead of DEVICEHIGH= if you want.
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(2) Added /Mn option, to allow general control of memory allocation
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strategy. First Fit = 0, Best Fit = 1, and Last Fit = 2 were
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implemented for both DOS 5 UMB's, and XMS UMB's.
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(3) Added check for a 186 processor or better (allows V20/V30).
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(4) Now supporting separate program FREELO86.SYS. This program is
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functionally identical to FREELO86.SYS, but is compiled to work
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on 8086/8088 processors also. The stub left in high memory
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is 16 bytes greater using with this variation.
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(Version 1.7)::
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(1) Changed common parsing algorithum to add support for Hex-Notation
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input. This input method is not used in FREELOAD at this time.
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(2) Fixed case where device fails but the loader tells DOS the device
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was ok. The high memory block is released, but the loader still
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reserves low memory. FREELOAD linked the released driver, but now
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detects the condition, does not complete the link, and releases
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the stub.
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(Version 1.8)::
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(1) Added automatic support for 386LOAD.SYS from Qualitas. The proper
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method FREELOAD uses is determined automatically, but may be
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overridden with the /An switch. The option adds as much as
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246 bytes to the pre-shrink size of FREELOAD.
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(2) DOS 3.x and 4.x with FREELOAD and 386LOAD was crashing because
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the 386LOAD stub hooked INT 21h, apparently to return a different
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DOS version to the device being loaded. This "feature" is now
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disabled by FREELOAD so that the stub may be freed. DOS 5 (and
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above?) used func 4B05h (set execution state), so the hook checking
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is bypassed. The hook checking is implemented for /A2 only (or
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auto /A0).
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(3) If method 2 (/A2 or 386MAX detected with /A0), the default loader
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name is "C:\386MAX\386LOAD.SYS." This makes compatability with
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386MAX completely transparent to the user in most cases.
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(Version 1.9)::
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(1) Reorganized code to enable an overlay method of module selection
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to automate processor selection and split up .SYS and .EXE modules
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to reduce the initialization memory to minimum.
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(2) FREELOAD now automatically detects the processor type and chooses
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separate code modules if appropriate. The 186 processor require-
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ment of previous versions is no longer applicable.
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(3) Added optional full word syntax to argument parser. The old style
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single letter switch interface is still intact. The switch lists
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now show the optional word with the switch.
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(Version 2.0)::
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(1) Added support for DOS 6.0's changes in the way devices are
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initialized. FREELOAD 1.7 was not compatible with DOS 6.0 or
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DBLSPACE. FREELOAD 2.0 now supports the new version seamlessly.
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(2) Added support for loaders which build sub-segments for devices
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in high memory. This caused problems while preparing block
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devices.
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(3) Added option response file input with @filename.opt syntax
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(Version 2.1)::
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(1) Fixed problem with finding DOS 6.0 CONFIG variable for machines
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whose bios'es don't intialize memory properly.
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(2) Fixed problem with some configurations of non-DOS 6.x systems
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and non-DBLSPACE systems which caused an Exception 13 after
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FREELOAD was loaded.
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================================================================================
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