SOFTPC040 IGUIDE.PDF

This document is a User's Guide for DEC SoftPC Version 4.0 on the VMS Operating System, published in May 1993.

Core Purpose: DEC SoftPC is a software program that enables Digital workstations and VT220 terminals running the VMS operating system to emulate an IBM PC. This allows users to run MS-DOS and MS-Windows applications directly on their Digital systems without needing additional PC hardware.

Key Features and Capabilities:

1. PC Emulation: Provides emulated PC components including a keyboard, mouse, various screen display modes (CGA, Hercules, EGA, VGA, Super VGA for workstations; MDA for VT220 terminals), C: and D: hard disk drives (up to 300 Mbytes), E: through Z: emulated networked drives (VMS directories), COM/LPT communication ports, and an 80287 floating-point coprocessor.
2. Multitasking & Integration: Allows simultaneous operation of MS-DOS applications in SoftPC windows and VMS applications in other windows. It supports cutting and pasting between MS-DOS and Motif windows, and sharing/transferring files between MS-DOS and VMS.
3. Performance & Management: Features include a "Freeze" option to pause DOS applications and release CPU resources for VMS, VGA compatibility, and access to up to 32 Mbytes of LIM Expanded Memory. Users can configure graphics options, memory, and manage emulated hard disks.
4. Version 4.0 Enhancements: Introduces a Motif-based user interface, support for protected-mode operations (including Windows 3.1 Standard Mode), Super VGA (256 colors), an autoflush print option, a configurable FPU emulator, menu-driven keyboard mapping, extended and expanded memory, Microsoft CD-ROM extensions, multiple window sizes, and support for both A: and B: floppy drives and MS-DOS 5.0.
5. Application Installation: Details methods for installing applications from floppy disks, over a network, from a PC (using Pathworks), and via "SlavePC" (which utilizes a connected PC's floppy drive for the workstation).
6. Terminal Use: Provides specific instructions for configuring and using DEC SoftPC on VT220 terminals, noting restrictions like Monochrome Display Adapter (MDA) only, no mouse support, and no "Freeze" option.
7. System Administration & Troubleshooting: Covers VMS installation procedures, user account quotas and privileges, license management, file protection, error messages, and detailed keyboard mapping for Digital workstations and VT220 terminals.

In essence, the document serves as a comprehensive guide for users and system administrators to install, configure, and effectively use DEC SoftPC to run PC applications within their VMS environment.