                              MS-DOS v6.0
                                UPGRADE

                             by Tony Curro

    Well, Microsoft has released the latest version of MS-DOS. Version
    6.0 has not been improved much over 5.0, the changes here are the
    additional features. Two new commands have been added: MOVE, and
    DELTREE. The first will move files from/to any location. The second
    will delete a directory tree with all subdirectories and files.
    Another new feature is Multiple Configurations. This allows you to
    have several different boot setups and switch between them.

    Key add-ons include:

        DoubleSpace. This will double the space of your hard drive,
    allowing you to store more files in the same amount of space. Actual
    size will vary with configuration, system, and types of files.
    Files, like ZIP, etc., are already compressed, and therefore would
    not benefit by compression. Text files will compress the best. You
    can expect compression ratios of 1.2:1 up to 2:1, with 1.6:1 being
    the average.

        MemMaker. This will give you back more conventional memory. By
    using HIMEM, and EMM386, MemMaker loads your TSR's and other
    programs in high memory.

        Backup, Anti-Virus, Undelete and DeFrag are the other programs.
    I will be talking about them all later.

    Installation of MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade can only be accomplished if you
    already have a system that has a version of MS-DOS on it. The full
    MS-DOS v6.0 package is only available to PC manufacturers for
    installation on new systems. Version 6.0 requires 5-7.5MB RAM
    depending on the features you add. Several of the above named
    programs have both DOS and Windows versions on the disks. You will
    need a blank floppy for your A: drive, to create an UnInstall disk,
    in case there is a problem during installation. All of MS-DOS v6.0
    is optimized for both normal DOS and MS Windows operations. It is
    supposed to function smoother when using Windows than previous
    versions of DOS.

    As stated, the core of DOS has not changed much. The add-ons are the
    selling point. Or are they?

    Backup and Defrag, are entry-level versions of Norton's Backup and
    SpeedDisk respectively. Anti-Virus and Undelete, are versions from
    Central Point Software. None of these are full-featured products.
    After purchasing MS-DOS 6.0, you can get the full products from the
    manufacturers at a reduced rate.

    When I installed DoubleSpace, I noticed I had a 1.6:1 ratio. This
    means that I got approximately a little more that 1 1/2 times the
    actual amount of the disk I compressed. So with about 80MB to work
    with, I had close to 120MB to store files in. Usually with
    compression programs, I noticed that when adding a program that will
    take say, 10MB, that it winds up using 15MB or so. Recompressing the
    drive may help, but the savings are not that noticeable. I was
    working in Windows with a database. Just changing a field length in
    a database of 100 records took 24 seconds. Without DoubleSpace it
    took 3 seconds. I had long times when changing a field name in the
    same db.

    MemMaker allows you to have the most available conventional memory.
    Using MM, I had 611,216 free. When I was using QEMM, with DOS 5.0, I
    had 630,448. About 19K more with QEMM.

    The added commands mentioned above, and the multiple configuration
    features, have  been around for some time, with various other
    products. MOVE, in DOS 6, does not perform as swiftly as another one
    that I use. In DOS 6 you must specify a directory to move to. The
    program I use assumes the current directory as the move to
    directory. That is if it is NOT the move from directory. DOS 6 does
    not do that. So if I am in C:\TEST, and want the files from C:\OLD,
    I must: MOVE C:\OLD\*.* \TEST. With program I use I eliminate the
    \TEST option. This can be a pain if you are several layers deep.

    Multiple Configuration can be confusing for novices. The CONFIG file
    uses [name] to start each section. AUTOEXEC uses the IF and GOTO
    commands. You must insert GOTO %CONFIGURATION% after all commands
    you want to execute in ALL configurations. After the GOTO variable,
    you put a label before each set of commands in the AUTOEXEC, a GOTO
    END and the end of the section, and an END at the end of the file. I
    have, and use a program, that is several years old, that I  must put
    a little symbol in both files to separate commands and
    configurations. That seems much simpler.

    Overall, MS-DOS 6.0 is the most stable DOS I have seen in  some
    time. Most people, went from 3.3 to 5.0, bypassing the much maligned
    DOS 4. I did not have any problems with the installation of MS-DOS
    6.0. It has an attractive price until May 31, 1993. For some users
    it can be of use. However, if you already own many of the inclusions
    of DOS 6, or do not use them, then there is no need to upgrade.
    Backup for example does NOT allow you to backup to a tape drive. So
    tape users could not take advantage of it. Besides, the full Norton
    Backup, is more flexible. I have already seen a product called
    SPACMANager, which is an add-on for DoubleSpace. This makes you have
    total control over the compression program.

    I have used DoubleSpace, and other programs that double your disk
    space. While I have not had major problems, I do not use them. If
    you need storage space, buy a larger drive. Even a Bernoulli works
    well as an actual drive. If you are one of those who need the latest
    version of products, then by all means buy DOS 6. Many companies:
    Norton, Central Point, etc., have already started  releasing updates
    of their products for use with DOS 6. With all the big savings of
    buying DOS 6, then buying all these add-ons (to get the most of...),
    or buying all these upgrades, how much are you really saving? If you
    are still using DOS 3.3, or even 4.x, then you should get DOS 6.0.
    But, if you are using DOS 5, and have, or don't use, the add-ons
    mentioned, then maybe you should wait for DOS 7.

    Technical Support. For the first 90 days after your initial call,
    you have free support. However, it is a toll call, and you must pay
    ALL phone charges to WA. After 90 days, via 900 service, at the rate
    of $2.00 per minute. You can also call a 206 number, at the rate of
    $25.00 per call, billed to MC, VISA, or AE.

    Also available is recorded support, BBS support via MS BBS,
    CompuServe and TDD/TT (hearing impaired). All these are toll calls
    and incur those charges. CIS, is local, but incurs their rates.


                                Product Information

                                MS-DOS 6.0
                                UPGRADE

                                List Price -- $49.99
                                      (until 5/31/93)

                                             $129.95
                                      (after 5/31/93)

                                Microsoft Corporation
                                1 Microsoft Way
                                Redmond, WA 98052-6399
                                206-882-8080
