RELEASE NOTES.PDF

This document, the "DEC SoftWindows Release Notes for the OpenVMS AXP Operating System" from November 1994, provides essential information, restrictions, undocumented features, and corrections for DEC SoftWindows Version 1.0 running on OpenVMS AXP 6.1 or higher. It supersedes previous documentation and is intended for all users.

Key points include:

1. Installation Warning: Installing SoftWindows V1.0 will remove components of any previous SoftPC/SoftWindows installation, including the MS-WIN-31.HDF container file (the C: drive). Users wishing to keep software from a previous installation must rename MS-WIN-31.HDF before installing, but are warned not to use the old container file with SoftWindows V1.0 due to system file changes that could cause unpredictable results.
2. IEEE Floating Point Error: OpenVMS 6.1 has an IEEE runtime handler problem that can cause errors in SoftWindows V1.0 applications. The fix involves replacing the VMS$IEEE_HANDLER.EXE module in sys$library with a corrected version found in the SOFTWIN$SYSTEM directory.
3. Creating a Larger Container File: The default C: drive (container file) is ~33,000 blocks, often insufficient for additional applications. A detailed procedure is provided to increase its size (e.g., to 120MB). This involves creating a new drive via SoftWindows' options menu, then using DOS commands (FDISK, FORMAT D:/S, XCOPY C: D:/S, MAKEBOOT 1) to prepare it, and finally reconfiguring SoftWindows to use this new, larger drive as its primary C: drive.
4. Color Problems with HX Graphics Card: An issue with the OpenVMS AXP V6.1 X driver causes display problems (e.g., highlight color not reverting, incorrect spraycan color in MS Paintbrush). The solution requires replacing the DECW$SERVER_DDX_SFB.EXE X driver in sys$share with a corrected version from the SOFTWIN$SYSTEM directory.
5. Foreign Keyboards: Only US, UK, French, and German LK201, LK401, or PCXAL keyboard templates are preconfigured. Drivers for other keyboards are included but require manual loading and setup.
6. Motif Missing Button Problem: Under Motif, warning or error messages may appear with no visible action buttons. Users should press "carriage return" (Enter) to activate the default button function.