DOS ain't dead

There it is -> (download page) FIXWRap 0.5 Beta ... Alternate download
has been uploaded for your testing pleasure
Check: FIXWRAP.SYS 1650 bytes, MD5 = B3D3A17B7AE53D36ABD1A72F75465735

I've made every effort and then some, to ensure this version is fully functional and correct, however you'll be reminded Beta software is intended for testing only and take all the usual precautions before running it.

Quick Instructions for running and testing FIXWrap 0.5 Beta :

The driver is invoked in CONFIG.SYS on (at least) 2 lines :

------------------ CONFIG.SYS ---------------------------
DEVICE=FIXWRAP.SYS ON ; this first establishes the fix
.....
(insert all your other DEVICE lines here, at least the ones for WRAPPER.SYS)
.....
DEVICE=FIXWRAP.SYS OFF ; this last switches the fix off
-------------------------------------------------------------
*
*
*
The simplest in regular use will be to have the FIXWRAP ON/OFF as the first/last line of CONFIG.SYS altogether. Remember to add the correct DOS path to the FIXWrap file !
However there can be more lines, several ON and several OFF, and you're invited to test that too. Remember FIXWrap /should/ be in the ON state while any TSR is loaded using Phil Gardner's WRAPPER.SYS ! (Of course you may try a transgression, IF you're adventurous)


Notes for useful testing :

I've removed (per CM's request) most debug-type messages. There remain 2 which it is important to know id they ever occur : please report if you see one or both of these :

* DBG: Deep scan needed!, please REPORT DOS version, details...
Explanation : This message is a FYI, not an error, FIXWrap will still work as designed / unless you receive the next one, too . I still would like to receive details if it says it had to "Deep Scan", which should be rarely if ever.

* DBG: Deep Scan did not find Magic :=("
The last message above is indicative of a problem, and I urge you to communicate should you encounter it (while I believe it can't happen!).

I'll explain in another more technical post, what these diagnostics mean and how the algorithm would be tuned if the second message above did appear...

Always provide MS-DOS version & revision + full details of the file IO.SYS (date, size, language; is it still the original, or a later MS fix - Windows Update or QFE...)

Please don't attach the IO.SYS to your report until I ask for it !!!

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Ninho

Note 1 If you don't want to download WRAPPER.SYS (shareware, no time limit trial), you may still help testing FIXWrap by itself, I need results from as many DOS 7/8 variants - Windows 95/98/ME - as possible. (TIA)

Note 2 For those using Wrapper.sys - I suggested keyboard and mouse TSRs for checking whether FIXWRAP indeed fixes the MSDOS bug.

You should however be aware that there is an incompatibility between WRAPPER on the one hand, Microsoft's KEYB and some of their MOUSE TSRs as well, OTOH

These Microsoft software are (again!) "peculiar" and silently fail the loading under WRAPPER.SYS. This problem has existed before and in no way is related to FIXWRAP and or DOS 7+.

So you'll have to use third party KEYBOARD and/or MOUSE control programs, probably better than MS's anyway... (Amusingly, really old keyboard drivers, from MS DOS 3 times, will work with wrapper! This, an old KEYBFR.COM from DOS 3.2, is what I've never ceased to use over the years anyway. Much less bloated than newer ones, does NOT require a "keyboard.sys" hence light on any boot disquette, and still compatible w/ Windows from 1.0 to ME)

Note 3 For the real Geek! If you want to peek at Fixwrap operation from within, run it in the debugging version of Bochs - I've included a few "magic breakpoints"

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Ninho

Please note : FIXWRAP.SYS was updated slightly; some dead debugging code removed, resulting in smaller executable size. No change in function or appearance, version number not bumped.

Download : FIXWRap 0.5 Beta ... Alternate download

Check: FIXWRAP.SYS 1454 bytes, MD5 = FA3C7737B86F37D09F6E97C23762E728

---
Ninho

So, with this release candidate, Fixwrap is done except for the documenting and packaging. Leaving you (and me) a last chance for nailing any remaining bugs. Please do and have (savvy) friends test it, and report any problems or inconsistencies you might find. TIA !

FixWrap 0.7 - download page ... else : direct download, alternate server

Check: FIXWRAP.SYS 1,199 bytes, MD5 = 9458998A2EDBCAB9DE7CAF23C929EC05
_____________________________________________________________________________
Quick Usage Reminder:

DEVICE=(path-to)\FIXWRAP.SYS ON ; plus any comments
rem all your DEVICEs here ...
rem including DEVICE=WRAPPER.SYS... [launch TSRs]
DEVICE=(path-to)\FIXWRAP.SYS OFF ; after other devices
_____________________________________________________________________________

Testers are reminded of the disclaimer appearing on the parent message

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Ninho

No more ignoble "beta" label

Cf. details, downloads -> in the Announces section.

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Ninho