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MS Windows 95 Issues

Table of Contents                                                                 Return to Newsletter

• LOGiTECH Mice by Daniel J. Ireland CSI 75767,1662   

• Generic CADD and MicroSoft Windows 95   by Daniel J. Ireland

• Other Views On This Subject

• Generic CADD on MS Windows 95 by Ron Hutter 11/09/97

.....data we have collected from others on the CompuServe "GO ARETAIL" forum..

Our thanks to:
Daniel J. Ireland CSI 75767,1662
Judi S. Felton cyim@sprintmail.com
Ron Hutter nts@sprynet.com
also Sean O'Neail CSI 104341,2110 who hopes there's something in here you find of use,
& Lew Merrick CSI 75156,2630 for bringing this to our attention.

If you are not on CompuServe you may send E-mail to any member by utilizing their account number in the following way. But be sure to change the comma to a dot.

To: Noel Browning Address: 71501.3051@compuserve.com
Edited by NoelBrowning@compuserve.com 11/12/97.

LOGiTECH Mice                                                          Table of Contents
by Daniel J. Ireland CSI 75767,1662

Below is some information that may assist those having mouse problems when running Generic CADD in Windows 95. It pertains specifically to Logitech 3 button mice or trackballs, but may be applicable to other pointing devices. Some of the information was summarized from articles available in the Logitech forum. I really haven’t had a chance to explore these issues fully, so if anyone has some better solutions, please post them. There is also a new version of Logitechs Mouseware available for Windows 95, but I’m not sure if it will solve the mouse problems some people are experiencing when running Generic CADD under Windows 95.

If you find that all your mouse buttons perform like left mouse button in GCADD, make sure that both the middle and right buttons are unassigned in your Windows 95 mouse settings. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a better work around than this. Maybe someone with more knowledge can comment.

If you find your mouse to be too slow regardless of which speed settings you choose, disable mouse acceleration in your Windows 95 mouse settings. I don’t know why, but this solved the problem for us.

The Windows 95 Logitech driver supports Logitech MouseWare features. To use the middle button of a three-button Logitech Mouse, use the Logitech Mouse Control Center that came with your mouse. However, this may affect the mouse functionality in Generic CADD.

If you are running Windows 95, do not run the Logitech MouseWare Setup program that was written for Windows 3.1. If you do, open Mouse properties, click the General tab, and then click Change. Then select the appropriate Windows 95 Logitech mouse type.

If you use a Logitech serial mouse, but there is a PS/2 mouse port on your computer, Windows 95 may not correctly install the Logitech driver. If this occurs, use the Device Manager tab in System properties to change the PS/2 mouse item, if present, to "Logitech Serial Mouse."

If you already have MouseWare installed on your system and then you install Windows 95 over it, everything should work normally. If you run into any kind of problems, you should just install the internal Logitech drivers which come with Windows 95. If you need any assistance setting up the internal drivers, call Logitech Faxback at 800-245-0000 and order document 2100. MouseWare 7.0, which is a 32-bit application for Windows 95 should be available from Logitech at this time.

Reply from Ron Hutter 11/20/97

Generic CADD and MicroSoft Windows 95                         Table of Contents
by Daniel J. Ireland CSI 75767,1662

First, let me thank Judi and the others who post on this forum concerning running Generic CADD in Windows 95. Their advice was invaluable. I recently upgraded the computers and peer to peer network at a small business to Windows 95. Windows 95 provides numerous features that would improve their productivity, but the primary issue was whether or not Generic CADD would run under Windows 95. (MS-DOS mode was not an option since they needed the networking and task switching - multitasking capabilities provided by Windows 95.)

With some help from users on this forum (and some hindrance from Autodesk tech support), we have the system operating flawlessly. In the process, I was able to learn a few things that may help other Generic CADD users trying to run under Windows 95. So I thought I would return the favor and share what I know.

Windows 95 provides much better native DOS emulation than previous versions of Windows. It also comes with a file called APPS.INF that provides setup information for a host of DOS applications, (including Generic CADD), whenever a Window 95 shortcut is created for one of the listed applications. APPS.INF is a text file with no documentation so it doesn’t do much good to look at it. (There is documentation for the APPS.INF file in the Windows 95 Resource Kit which is included as a help file on the Windows 95 CD-ROM.) APPS.INF is located in the hidden sub directory C:\WINDOWS\INF. However, if you open Explorer and select Generic CADD’s CADD.EXE file and create a shortcut for it, Windows 95s APPS.INF settings will be incorporated in the shortcut properties for running Generic CADD. It even displays a more appropriate icon instead of the generic MS-DOS icon. To create a shortcut for Generic CADD, just select the CADD.EXE file by clicking on it and then choose File-Create Shortcut from the Explorer menu.

However, there are a couple property settings that you may want to change and one in particular that will cause the system lockups associated with using the Zoom Window and Window Move commands. If you right-click on the shortcut you created for Generic CADD, and choose Properties from the resulting menu, you will get the infamous tabbed properties dialog box that Windows 95 provides for setting up DOS applications. Click on the Screen tab and in the Usage section, select Window instead of Full Screen. This will eliminate the problems associated with the ZW, WM and MVO commands. (Don’t ask me why, I just know that it worked on the 6 machines on which we were running Generic CADD. I’m hoping to get some more insight on this problem from MicroSoft.) Generic CADD wont run in a window anyway, so it will still start like a full screen DOS program, but this setting will force the other components of Generic CADD to run in a window, such as printing and plotting. (Autodesk has a technical document concerning the ZW, WM problem which they faxed to us that suggests changing memory settings, but that has nothing to do with this problem, so don’t bother trying to tweak your memory settings.)

A word of warning: If you go to print or use another component that results in a windowed screen and use Alt-Enter or the Full Screen tool on the toolbar to change it to a full screen DOS view, Windows 95 will remember this setting and run Generic CADD in full screen mode the next time you start it and you will once again have the problem with ZW and WM. In order to prevent this from happening, I recommend going to the Screen tab in the shortcut properties dialog box and removing the check mark from the Display Toolbar setting in the Window section. (The Toolbar is of no real use in Generic CADD anyway.) Also, go the Misc. tab and in the Windows shortcut keys section, remove the check mark from the Alt+Enter setting. This will disable the capability to Unwindow Generic CADD and prevent users from causing it default back to Full Screen mode. If the resulting print window is too small, simply click on the little maximize button in the upper right hand corner of the window to maximize the size of the window.

I apologize for the shots I’ve taken at Autodesk. They have a fine tech support staff and according to my clients have always been helpful and patient in trying to resolve their problems. I realize that Generic CADD is a DOS that program that will obviously run without problem in MS-DOS mode. However, if your running Windows 95, the last thing you want to do is reboot to a DOS session and lose all the capabilities that this advanced operating system provides. I also realize that Generic CADD is fading away and being replaced by AutoCAD LT. Changing CAD programs can be especially painful though, since its closely linked to the manufacturing process and productivity of many businesses. We needed a little more time with Generic CADD before changing to a Windows CAD package.

Good Luck ............... Dan

And comments by Judi Felton 70413,3315:

Regarding the above suggestion: (Also, go the "Misc." tab and in the "Windows shortcut keys" section, remove the check mark from the "Alt+Enter" setting. This will disable the capability to "Unwindow" Generic CADD and prevent users from causing it default back to "Full Screen" mode).

Just thought I'd mention, if you need to change the setup for your plotter/printer, you HAVE to run Gcadd full screen or the settings screen won't work. So we haven't disabled the ALT+Enter setting. What we do is go to the plotter/printer setup, hit ALT+Enter that puts us to full screen, make any necessary changes, and hit ALT+Enter again to get back to the "run in a window" setting. If you never have to change plotter/printer settings ie page size, or output device, no problem disabling ALT+Enter. But if you do need to change these settings, it's easiest if you keep ALT+Enter active. If zooming starts to get weird, you'll know the "run in a window" got undone and you can just change it back.

Judi Felton

Other Views On This Subject Follow                         Table of Contents                    

To: Noel Browning
From: Ron Hutter

Subject: Cadd_Win95

Noel,

First, I wish to tell you how glad I am to "meet" you. Your generous sharing of GC information over the years is much appreciated by myself, and I'm sure by many other silent grunts out in the workplace, working in GC everyday. I'm sorry I haven't taken the time to thank you before today.

Noel"

I haven't posted this info earlier because:

1) It took me a year after Win95 was released to come up with this setup.

2) After implementing this setup in our office in 10/96, I have tested, used, and refined it for over a year, on 12 different machines (486/33 through Pentium 125 & Evergreen 5x86 133mhz, all with different video cards, 8MB to 40MB RAM). It universally works for us - fast & reliable with Logitech mice.

3) I don't wish to screw up someone else's machine. I'm an architect with no formal computer training or education. Ten years ago, after 20+ years on the boards, I got dragged, kicking & screaming, into the computer age. 2D drafting is critical for small architectural firms. I've been using Generic CADD for the last five years. Everyday I search for something better - everyday I continue work in Generic Cad.

4) I never got around to writing it up.

Like I told you on the CompuServe Forum, go ahead and post it on your Generic CADD Site, but everyone is on their own with this. The post on CompuServe contained some grammatical and spelling errors. I would appreciate if you would proof-read it before posting - feel free to edit typos.

I've been meaning to congratulate you on your recent Web site undertaking. It must be quite a challenge. Let me pass along my encouragement & my appreciation.

Ron Hutter

Generic CADD on MS Windows 95
by Ron Hutter 11/09/97                                                                           Table of Contents

I've recently received several requests for information on running Generic CADD (GC) under Windows95. The following setup works universally for us on several machines, all different (i.e. processors, memory, video cards, etc.).  It may not work for you. Proceed with caution - accept the consequences.

We have had no problems. We've been running GC under Win95 with this setup for over a year. It has proven fast and reliable. If you don't know Generic CADD or Windows95, get out the books, check out the help files and educate yourself.

This setup arrived at the end of a long, frustrating trial & error process. Many thanks to the various contributors to this forum on this subject. The key, in the end, to unlock this puzzle was the 3-button LOGiTECH Mouse (First Mouse, Mouseman, old Dexxa 3-button mice, and now the new LOGiTECH Mouse+ with v7.5 software) and v7.0 of the LOGiTECH Mouseware software. A friend tells me this setup works with the new MS Intelligent Mouse - GC pointing device configured for MOUSE.COM - High Res. Video. I have no experience with this.

This setup assumes you are running v6.1.5 and GC was setup with default directories and executables (C:\Cadd6\Cadd.exe):

1) Install LOGiTECH 3-button mouse and LOGiTECH Mouseware v7.0. Reboot and setup the mouse the way you want it to work in Win95. Set Motion with no acceleration or low acceleration (you can play with this later, if you must).

2) Open Explorer, go to C:\Cadd6, find config.exe and double click it.

You must run config.exe in a DOS window under Win95.
Set Video Graphics Display = V.E.S.A. Compatible Super VGA (Full Redraw After Screen Flip)
Set Pointing Device = LOGITECH - MOUSE.COM Loaded
Configure these two (above) as required and preferred.

Other settings? This is our setup:

CADD database unit [Inches]

Maximum virtual memory: 2048000 bytes, 125 pages

Maximum EMS memory: NO EMS Memory

Maximum XMS memory: 2048000 bytes, 125 pages

Buffer Message File: Off

Load On-Line Help as TSR: Off

(Will other settings work? I haven't a clue.)

Save settings upon exiting config. Return to Win95 Desktop.

3) Open Control Panel. Make sure Mouse, Motion is set to no acceleration or low acceleration. Save settings upon exiting. Return to Win95 Desktop.

4) Go back to Explorer, find C:\Cadd6\Cadd.exe

Drag Cadd.exe to the Desktop / Create Shortcut

5) On the Desktop, right click your new shortcut and select properties.

a) General Tab:

Pretty general isn't it? Under Attributes make sure only Archive box is checked (it should be by default).

b) Program Tab:

Shown at the top is your new shortcut's icon and its name. Change the icon & name as you wish.

Cmd line: C:\Cadd6\Cadd.exe

Working: C:\Cadd6

Batch file: Should be blank. (We use to crank up GC in DOS with a batch file we created, but under Win95 have had mixed results - leaving blank will avoid hassles for now - play with if you wish - I don't recommend it).

Shortcut key: None

Run: Normal Window

Check the box: Close on exit

Click The Advanced button at the bottom. This takes you to: Advanced Program Settings. Here only the box next to Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary should be checked.

Click OK

 

c) Font Tab:

Your choice.
This sets how fonts will display in DOS windows running under GC (screen flips, plotting, etc.).

d) Memory Tab:

Some folks just have to tinker with settings. It's in their blood. We just go with Auto here for all choices - recommend you do the same. Check box at Uses HMA.

e) Screen Tab:

Usage: VERY important to select Window, not Full-screen. When you run GC under this setup it will appear to you as full-screen, but Win95 thinks it's a window. If you select Full-screen, mouse & video will act squirrelly in GC.

Initial size: Default

Window: no check on Display toolbar, check Restore settings on setup.

Performance: check both boxes.

f) Misc.:

Top six items: only check boxes at Allow screen saver, Warn if still active and at Fast pasting - all other boxes should be unchecked.

Idle sensitivity: we set it in the middle.

At the bottom is Window shortcut keys: check all boxes, except Alt+enter.

This is important - don't check Alt+enter.

 

g) Click OK. Return to Win95 Desktop.

6) Shut down your computer. Shut your computer off. Wait a few seconds and start her up again.

You should now be able to access GC by double clicking the shortcut you made on the Desktop.

If you are ever running GC and your mouse or video start acting strange, quit GC. Right click your shortcut, select Properties, select the Screen Tab. Make sure under Usage that Window, not Full-screen is selected. For some unknown reason (operator error I suspect) we seem to do something that causes this setting to change on its own. It's rare, but can happen - but easy to correct as noted.

When working in GC under this setup, you flip back to the Win95 Desktop by using Alt+Tab. GC will then be minimized on your Taskbar at the bottom of the Desktop. To return to GC, just click on it in the Taskbar. (Alt+Tab will cycle you through all open programs, but you already new that).

Always remember to completely quit GC before shutting down your computer.

Please, no questions - I'm not a computer whiz.
I don't know why this works, or if others settings will work.
If you've got something better, let me know. If not on this forum, you can e-mail me at nts@sprynet.com

Hope this works for you. Good Luck!

Ron

PS    Y'all probably know this one already, but I just discovered it recently.

In Win95, hitting the Print Screen key saves the full screen image to the clipboard.

You can then paste it into your favorite image viewer (I use Irfan View 32, v2.37, it's freeware, fast & reliable) or your graphics program (I use HiJaak Graphics Suite 95, among others). Then save it in the image format that suites your purpose.

This is a great quick capture of your GC screen. (If you use a black background in GC the image you capture will also have a black background, and you might want to change this in your image editing program before you print it out - trust me on this one).

Hitting Alt+Print Screen saves the current open window to the clipboard - great for saving images of all those property setup screens I just described to you in item 5) above.

BTW, HiJaak Graphic Suite 95 ($50) is pretty good at Raster-to-vector conversions (Save As *.dxf) - HiJaak Pro ($100) is even better (more options). Both are better at Raster-to-vector conversions than TurboCad Pro ($300) or GenVec ($300+, if it's still available).

Addendum to CADD & Win95 Setup post of 11/9/97

In order to take advantage of the Print Screen and Alt+Print Screen features of Win95, for capturing images from Generic CADD:

In Step 2) of the Setup, when you run C:\Cadd6\config.exe to set your Video Graphics Display, you must answer YES to the question "Do you wish to include the Image Save/Load feature (Y/N)?".

Answering yes to this question also can help with other screen capture utilities , as well as when saving image files from Generic CADD (BMP, PCX, TIFF, etc.).

Ron Hutter 11/11/97