    AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1509          6-14-96

    TITLE: Running DOS Programs on Win95 Systems

    SUMMARY

       Certain programs require DOS-based device drivers (real-mode) to
       perform as designed.  Programs of this nature will often fail to
       produce sound while running in a Windows 95 environment.  These
       real mode device drivers are not part of the Windows 95 environment.

       This issue affects all computer systems.

    ISSUE

       A small percentage of application programs available in the
       marketplace will not produce the correct sounds,or identify the
       sound device drivers, when attempting to execute the program in
       Windows 95.  All the programs originally bundled with the
       Advantage! unit function as expected.

       Windows 95 uses device drivers written specifically for Windows 95.
       These are referred to as protected mode device drivers.  The utility
       referred to in this document will allow the user to boot the
       computer using real mode device drivers so that the user can obtain
       the proper functionality of their program.

    BACKGROUND

       N/A

    ACTION

       Use real-mode drivers to run DOS-based programs.

       To run a program that requires real-mode device drivers, the user
       must load these drivers to the system.  AST provides the real-mode
       device drivers on a diskette.  File "DOSBOOT.EXE" is available from
       one of AST's On-Line! services:

          AST WWW Site:  http://www.ast.com
          AST On-Line! BBS*:  See IB0001.TXT
          CompuServe:  GO: ASTFORUM

          * Refer to IB0001.TXT for a list of AST's international BBS
            numbers.

       To decompress this file, create a temporary directory on your
       hard drive, copy the downloaded file to that directory, and run
       the file.

    NOTES

       A README file is included with the "DOSBOOT.EXE" diskette.
       It contains the instructions to create the diskette that contains
       the real-mode device drivers.  The diskette is used to start the
       computer with the real-mode device drivers.

       To run a DOS-based program from the diskette, power OFF the
       computer and place the diskette into the floppy drive. Restart
       the computer and allow it to boot using the diskette.  The boot
       process will load the real mode device drivers.  The drivers are
       loaded when the video monitor displays the "A:>".

       The DOS-based program can now be executed and it should be fully
       functional, including full audio support.

       Please contact the vendor of the program if the program will not
       run in Windows 95 or after using the diskette that contains the
       real-mode device drivers.

       For additional information, see Software Bulletin # 0311 on AST's
       On-Line! services.

    TAN 004930

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