About This Guide

Caldera DR-DOS also includes Personal NetWare(TM), a networking component that allows you to share your computer's resources with other users on a DOS network.

Before you start using the operating system or the network, read the documentation from the manufacturer of your computer so that you are reasonably familiar with the computer and how it works.

You should also read Chapter 1, ``Introduction to DR-DOS'' and Chapter 4, ``Working with DR-DOS,'' which describe the main features of the operating system and explain certain concepts that you should be familiar with before you use the operating system.

This manual, the Caldera DR-DOS Quick Start Guide, documents the operating system basics and how to install and set up DR-DOS. More detailed information about using DR-DOS can be found in the online help, DOSBook. Read Chapter 5, "Using the Online Documentation" for more information about using DOSBook.

Organization

• Chapter 1, ``Introduction to DR-DOS,'' introduces this operating system, and some general operating system concepts.
• Chapter 2, ``Installing DR-DOS,'' explains how to install the operating system.
• Chapter 3, ``Installing Personal NetWare,'' explains how to install the network components.
• Chapter 4, ``Working with DR-DOS,'' describes more operating system concepts, and how to start using the operating system.
• Chapter 5, ``Using the Online Documentation,'' explains how you access information in DOSBook, the online manual.

• DR-DOS version 7.03 is Year 2000 compliant. The DR-DOS kernel will correct the system date even if your BIOS does not support the Year 2000.
• DR-DOS now allows co-existence with Microsoft* Windows 95 and MS-DOS 7.0. The installation program detects that Windows 95 is installed and automatically installs the Caldera DR-DOS dual boot program LOADER.COM. When your computer is started, you can select which operating system to use. More information about using LOADER is described in DOSBook.
• The Personal NetWare networking component enables you to set up a peer-to-peer DOS network so that you can share resources between computers running Caldera DR-DOS and MS Windows. Personal NetWare includes a network diagnostics program.
• The INSTALL and SETUP programs are enhanced to include the new operating systems features.
• The Task Manager has been enhanced to provide ``multitasking'' on Pentium, i486, 386 (and later) computers. This means that you can run multiple applications simultaneously.
• Security for your computer is enhanced, including the following features:
  • A ``one-time login'' allows you to log in to your computer and any Novell(R) network to which you are connected.
  • A ``screen saver'' allows you to lock your computer against unauthorized use without logging out.
• The Stacker program allows you to create and work with Stacker compressed drives.
• NWCACHE is a disk caching program that makes your operating system run faster by reducing the time it spends waiting for data from disk.
• The EMM386 memory manager is enhanced to support DPMI and multitasking. A new parameter has been added to allow you to remove the default disabling of XMS calls to use upper memory blocks.

• DOS Protected Mode Services (DPMS) allow DPMS-aware programs to run in protected mode. Caldera DR-DOS DPMS-aware programs include DELWATCH, the disk cache (NWCACHE), and the Personal NetWare server (SERVER.EXE).
• MS Windows versions of LOCK and the network commands are included. There is also a Caldera DR-DOS program group for MS Windows.
• EDIT, the text editor, has a new menu interface that includes mouse support. Also, DOSBook can now be accessed from within EDIT.
• The DOSKEY command allows you to create and work with macros.
• The new debugger, DEBUG, is compatible with other earlier DOS versions. Although DEBUG is not documented in this manual, it is fully documented in DOSBook, the online manual.
• FDISK has been enhanced and now has two modes of operation. The default, standard mode has not been changed and works in the same way as previous versions. This is the recommended way of using FDISK. The /x switch changes to extended mode. It allows you to add and remove non-DOS partitions. This is for advanced users only.
• NetWars is an arcade-style network game that you can play alone or with other network users. Players can design their own ship using the shape editor, NWDRAW.EXE, save it as a file, then load it into the Multi-Player game from the Options menu. Online help for the shape editor is included.