SOFTWINDOWS VMS USERS GUIDE.PDF

This user's guide for "DEC SoftWindows" (Version 1.0, November 1994) explains how to set up and use the software to run PC (MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows 3.1) applications on an OpenVMS AXP workstation or server.

Key functionalities and features include:

• PC Emulation: DEC SoftWindows emulates a high-specification IBM PC/AT, including an 80286 processor, 80287 math co-processor, 640KB RAM, and configurable Extended (XMS) and Expanded (LIM) memory. It also emulates standard PC display types (VGA, EGA, CGA, Hercules).
• Drive Management: It emulates C: and D: hard disk drives using OpenVMS files (.HDF), utilizes the workstation's 3.5-inch floppy disk drives (A: and B:), and supports CD-ROMs (F: drive) with Microsoft CD-ROM extensions.
• File Sharing Architecture (FSA): Allows OpenVMS directories to be accessed as PC drives (E: to Z:), facilitating file sharing and conversion between OpenVMS and MS-DOS text formats.
• Peripheral Support: Emulates Microsoft Bus Mouse and standard PC/AT keyboards (including various international layouts). It also provides emulation for COM1-COM4 serial ports and LPT1-LPT3 parallel printer ports, which can be connected to OpenVMS print spoolers, files, or used for serial communications.
• Networking (SoftNode): Offers ODI-compliant network support for industry-standard file servers, including Novell NetWare, Microsoft LAN Manager, and Banyan Vines, by emulating a network card and various Ethernet frame types.
• Configuration and Usage: Users can configure memory, disk drives, display, sound, and FPU emulation through menu options. The guide details how to run Windows and MS-DOS applications, use MS-DOS commands, install software, and perform tasks like text copying/pasting between PC and OpenVMS environments. Configuration settings are stored in SWINCONFIG.INI, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and CONFIG.SYS files.
• Remote Display: DEC SoftWindows can be set up to display remotely on other workstations or X terminals.
• Troubleshooting: The guide includes solutions to common problems and explanations for various error messages.

System Requirements: The software requires OpenVMS AXP Version 6.1-1 or higher, Motif Window System Version 1.2-2 or higher, a minimum of 32 Mbytes of memory, and approximately 40 Mbytes of disk space for installation.