SOFTPC040 COVER-LETTER.PDF

This document, "Before You Install DEC SoftPC Version 4.0 for VMS" (July 1993), provides essential information and instructions for preparing to install DEC SoftPC Version 4.0.

Key points include:

• Licensing: Each concurrently active user requires a DEC SoftPC license.
• Prerequisites: You must have VMS V5.5 or later and Motif V1.1 or later installed before installing SoftPC Version 4.0.

• Pre-installation Steps:

  • Verify all items listed on the Bill of Materials are present and undamaged.
  • Read the included release notes.
  • Consult Appendix A (VMS Installation) and Chapter 3 (Hard Disks and Drives) in the DEC SoftPC User's Guide for the VMS Operating System.

• MS-Windows Installation Warning: Do not use the MS-Windows Express installation, as it will install incorrect drivers. Use the standard MS-Windows installation procedure.

• For Previous DEC SoftPC (V3.0) Users: Do not use a Version 3.0 C: container file; create a new one. Note that SPCCONFIG.INI (not SOFTPC.INI) is the new configuration startup file for Version 4.0.
• Version 4.0 Enhancements: Introduces a Motif-based user interface, support for protected-mode 286 operation (including Windows 3.1 Standard Mode), Super VGA (256 colors), autoflush, FPU emulator, extended and expanded memory, Microsoft CD-ROM extensions, three window sizes, support for A: and B: floppy drives and hard disks up to 300 Mbytes, and MS-DOS 5.0 support.

• System Manager Information:

  • Requires reading specific sections of the User's Guide for creating bootable/nonbootable disks, and makeboot 1 for DOS 5.0 bootable drives.
  • For additional FSA drives, config.sys must include LASTDRIVE= and AUTOEXEC.BAT must include NET USE.
  • Unnecessary fonts installed on timesharing systems can be deleted.
  • Accessing CD-ROM audio functions requires PHYS_IO and DIAGNOSE privileges.

• Warranty & Support: The software includes a warranty as described in the Software Product Description (SPD) addendum. Issues should be reported via a Software Performance Report (SPR). Support contracts are available from Digital sales.