Real Mode Drivers? Additions to autoexec.bat and config.sys

[TensorField]

I am experimenting with OEM installations and to this end I'm using a piece of configuration software called opkwiz (OEM Preinstallation Kit Wizard). One step in the preinstallation is done in DOS mode and the configuration calls for "real mode drivers" to be added to autoexec.bat and/or config.sys files.

What are "real mode drivers" and how should I look for what these additions should be?

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Build your own computer... An Introduction

[Vernon Frazee]

Source, Webopedia > real mode:

An execution mode supported by the Intel 80286 and later processors. In real mode, these processors imitate the Intel 8088 and 8086 microprocessors, although they run much faster. The other mode available is called protected mode. In protected mode, programs can access extended memory and virtual memory. Protected mode also supports multitasking. The 80386 and later microprocessors support a third mode called virtual 8086 mode. In virtual mode, these microprocessors can run several real-mode programs at once.

The DOS operating system was not designed to take advantage of protected mode, so it always executes programs in real mode unless a protected mode extender is run first.

Here's a fairly typical example of a C:\CONFIG.SYS and C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT file on a system running MS-DOS 5.00+ and Windows 3.1 that load several device drivers:

CONFIG.SYS:
   device=c:\windows\himem.sys /testmemff
   device=c:\windows\emm386.exe ram
   dos=high,umb
   buffers=20,0
   files=60
   lastdrive=g
   fcbs=4,0
   devicehigh=c:\cd-rom\atapi.sys /d:mscd000 /n:1
   devicehigh=c:\dos\ansi.sys
   shell=c:\windows\command.com c:\windows /e:512 /p /f

AUTOEXEC.BAT:
   @echo off
   lh c:\dos\mscdex.exe /d:mscd000 /v
   lh c:\windows\smartdrv.exe 4096 /v
   lh c:\mouse\mouse.exe
   lh c:\dos\doskey.exe /insert
   path=c:\bat;c:\util;c:\dos;c:\windows
   prompt $p$g



[This message has been edited by Vernon Frazee (edited 04-04-2002).]

[TensorField]

Thank you for that superb post. I was fortunate to see verification of the information you provide in a DOS driver package for my Sanyo CDROM drive. I was able to configure a startup disk that included CDROM support using the MSCDEX line in my autoexec.bat file and device= line in my config.sys file.

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Build your own computer... An Introduction

[Vernon Frazee]

You're Welcome, and Thanks! Good to hear you got her up and running.