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Running Generic CADD 6.1.5 in Windows 98
The optimal high performance method, revision 1.01, August 19, 1998

By: Mark Palacios mark@palacios.com
Palacios Design Systems http://www.palacios.com/

Generic CADD runs faster and with more stability in Windows 98 than any other operating system past or present including DOS. It is literally unbelievable.

Things that use to crash in DOS now run perfect. In the first two weeks of using these settings, I have not had a single Generic CADD Glitch. I thought that Generic CADD problems were just something to get used to. I never imagined they would go away. This has given me renewed interest in Generic CADD and I now am less of a hurry to find a suitable replacement.

Based on all the information available to me from many different sources (such as www.genericcadd.com and Compuserve) and much trial and error testing, I have put together this complete list of settings to make Generic CADD operate in Windows 98 in an optimal manor. I am always looking to improve my settings so feel free to comment.

When configured as shown, you can double click CADD files in Windows Explorer and launch the associated drawing. Windows Explorer and My Computer will show drawing files with the correct icon and description. Using Windows Explorer for file management is fabulous. If you are running on a network, I have received reports that this setup works fine.

Some Basic Assumptions:

• You are using Windows 98 and have it working properly.
• You are using Generic CADD 6.1.5. (other versions may work).
• Your installation is in the c:\cadd6 directory. If this is not the case, substitute the correct installation directory where applicable.
• You have a Logitech 3-button Mouseman mouse as you're pointing device.
• You know what you are doing and know how to correct any problems that occur making changes to your setup files.
• You have proper backups of all your files.

C:\Config.sys

Create or alter this file with a text editor.

DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE RAM X=A000-C7FF
DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\SETVER.EXE
DOS=HIGH,UMB
FILESHIGH=75

Remarks:

• The excluded RAM in line 2 prevents memory conflicts associated with high-resolution graphics.
• Setting the files at 75 has always helped in preventing crashes.

C:\Autoexec.bat

Create or alter this file with a text editor.

@ECHO OFF
PATH C:\;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND
PROMPT W98 $P$G
SET DIRCMD=/P /O:GEN
SET CADD_INIT= 107h
C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\DOSKEY
CLS

Remarks:

• I put W98 in the prompt command to remind me I am using Windows 98.
• The SET DIRCMD command sorts files when using the DIR command in DOS.
• The CADD_INIT variable is to tell CADD which resolution I am using. (1280 x 1024 x 256 colors)
• Run VESALIST.EXE in the CADD6 directory to determine the correct CADD_INIT setting on your graphics card for the VESA256 option. Enter the desired setting in the Autoexec.bat file as shown above.
• DOSKEY is loaded because it is very helpful when entering DOS commands at the command line.

C:\Cadd6\Config.exe

Procedure:

• Upon competition of editing the config.sys and autoexec.bat files, reboot your computer and press <F8> to boot into DOS. Select <5.> Command Prompt Only.
• Change your directory to the CADD6 directory (cd cadd6) and type LGVIDEO and press <enter>. Answer <N> when prompted to overwrite each file.
• Upon completion, type config and press <enter>.

Opening Screen

CURRENT CONFIGURATION

Video Graphics Display: VESA256W.VGD
Pointing Device: LOGITECH - MOUSE.COM Loaded
CADD database unit [ inches ]
Maximum virtual memory: NO Virtual Memory
Maximum EMS memory: 33554432 bytes, 2048 pages
Buffer Message File: On
Load On-Line Help as TSR: Off

Press any key to continue

Remarks:

• This is the correct configuration screen, press any key to continue and revise.

1.) Select a video graphics display

• Do you wish to include the Image Save/Load feature (Y/N)?
  Press <Y>

• Video drivers are available for the following displays:
  Press <enter> until you reach - ##) Other VGD File(s)
  Type in ## and press <enter>

• Please enter path for VGD files:
  Type in c:\cadd6 and press <enter>

• Drivers are available for the following resolution/color combinations:
  Press <enter> until you reach ##) VESA256W.VGD
  Type in ## and press <enter>

2.) Select a pointing device

• The following pointing device drivers are available:
  Press <enter> until you reach ##) LOGITECH - MOUSE.COM Loaded
  Type in ## and press <enter>

• Which I/O port will the pointing device use?
  Choose the correct port from the list shown and type in the # and press <enter>

• Enter mouse speed 1 = Fastest, 16 = Slowest
  Type in 1 and press <enter>

3.) Set memory configuration

• Disk Drive for virtual storage:
  Press <1>, then <C>

• Disk Drive for shell storage:
  Press <2>, then <C>

• Maximum virtual memory:
  Press <3>, then <1>, then <ESC>

• Maximum EMS memory:
  Press <4>, then <5>, then <ESC>

• Maximum XMS memory:
  Press <5>, then <1>, then <ESC>

• Buffer Message File:
  Toggle <6> until it says On

• Load On-Line Help as TSR:
  Toggle <7> until it says Off

The screen should now say:

Current memory configuration setup is as follows:

1. Disk Drive for virtual storage: C:\
2. Disk Drive for shell storage: C:\
3. Maximum virtual memory: No virtual memory
4. Maximum EMS memory: 16384k
5. Maximum XMS memory: No XMS memory
6. Buffer Message File: On
7. Load On-Line Help as TSR: Off

If this is correct, press <ESC>

4.) Set CADD database unit

• Press <1> to set the units to inches, then press <ESC>
• Press <ESC> to exit the configuration program
• Press <Y> to save the new configuration

Remarks:

• You must run this configuration program from DOS and not from a window or your memory settings will not work properly.
• Set the mouse speed to fastest in this configuration and then later in Windows 98 with the Start \ settings \ control panel \ mouse you can adjust the mouse speed as needed.
• Using EMS as opposed to XMS is the opposite of what the Generic CADD manual says to do, however you will have access to more memory and it runs faster.

C:\Cadd6\Cadd.pif

Procedure:

Upon completion of configuring Generic CADD, reboot the computer into Windows 98. With Explorer find the Cadd.pif file in the cadd6 installation directory. Right click on the file icon and select properties.

General tab

The following entries should be a part of the General tab:

• Type: Shortcut to MS-DOS Program
• Location: C:\CADD6
• MS-DOS name: CADD.PIF
• Attributes
  • Read-only: Unchecked
  • Hidden: Unchecked

Program tab

• Generic CADD
• Cmd Line c:\cadd6\cadd.exe
• Working: c:\cadd6
• Batch file:
• Shortcut key: None
• Run: Maximized

Advanced

• Prevent MS-DOS based programs from detecting Windows: Unchecked
• Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary: Check
• MS-DOS mode: Unchecked

Change Icon

• File Name: c:\windows\progman.exe
• Current icon: select T-square, drafting board, and triangle icon - row 1, item 5

Font tab

Available types

• Bitmap only: Check
• True Type only: Unchecked
• Both font types: Unchecked

Font Size: Auto

Memory tab

Conventional memory

• Total: 640
• Initial environ: 2048
• Protected: Check

Expanded (EMS) memory

• Total: 16384

Extended (XMS) memory

• Total: None
• Uses HMA: Unchecked

MS-DOS protected-mode (DPMI) memory

• Total: 16384

Screen tab

Usage

• Full-screen: Check
• Initial size: Default
• Window: Unchecked

Window

• Display toolbar: Unchecked
• Restore settings on startup: Check

Performance

• Fast ROM emulation: Check
• Dynamic memory allocation: Check

Misc tab

Foreground

• Allow screen saver: Check

Mouse

• Quick Edit: Unchecked
• Exclusive mode: Unchecked

Background

• Always suspend: Unchecked

Termination

• Warn if still active: Check

Idle sensitivity

• Low - High: ( Set all the way to Low )

Other

• Fast pasting: Check

Window shortcut keys

• Alt+Tab: Check
• Ctrl+Esc: Unchecked
• Alt+PrtSc: Check
• Alt+Space: Unchecked
• Alt+Esc: Unchecked
• PrtSc: Check
• Alt+Enter: Unchecked

Click <apply> and then <ok> when completed.

Remarks:

• Memory tab \ Conventional memory \ Total: \ 640 will revert to <auto> when this is run for the first time, this is OK, leave on <auto> .
• I have seen many comments recommending using Screen \ Usage \ Window as opposed to using Screen \ Usage \ Full-screen in order to solve redraw and zoom problems. When I try Screen \ Usage \ Window, my system crashes so badly that I must shut it off completely and start again. However the redraw and zoom problems do go away when you change your memory settings to EMS.
• Setting Misc \ Idle sensitivity to low has made my system much more stable.

Explorer Association

Start Windows Explorer

• Select from the menu bar: View
• Select: Folder Options...
• Select the tab: File Types

Create New Type

• Click <New Type…>
• Click <Change Icon…>
• Click <Browse…>
• Using the options in the file selection window, select the file: c:\windows\progman.exe
• Select the current icon, T-square, drafting board, and triangle - row 1, item 5
• Click <OK>
• Description of type: - Type in: Generic CADD Drawing
• Associated extension: - Type in: GCD
• Click <OK>

Edit New File Type

• Locate Generic CADD Drawing in the File Types list and highlight
  • Click <Edit…>
• Under Actions
  • Click <New…>
  • Under Action: - Type in: open
  • Under Application used to perform action: - Type in: c:\cadd6\cadd.pif
  • Use DDE: unchecked
  • Click <OK>
• Enable Quick View: unchecked
• Always show extension: unchecked
• Confirm open after download: check
• Click <OK>

Close Explorer

• Click <X>

Remarks:

• Using Windows Explorer and My Computer for file management is fabulous. You will never use File Selector Again.
• You can use long file names for Generic CADD drawing files with no problems.

Desktop Shortcut

Create Shortcut

• Create a new short cut by right clicking on a blank spot on the desktop and selecting new / shortcut.
• Create Shortcut
  • Command line, click <Browse…>
  • Using the options in the file selection window, highlight the file c:\cadd6\cadd.exe and press <Open>
• Press <Next>
  • Select a name for the shortcut: - type in: Generic CADD 98
  • Click <finish>

Edit Shortcut

• Right click on the new icon and select Properties.
• Edit the properties to match the description above for c:\cadd6\cadd.pif
• Under program tab / Cmd Line you may add the name of a drawing file to open with the shortcut and a macro file to launch upon executing as shown in the following sample below.

c:\cadd6\cadd.exe [ c:\cadd6\gcd\default.gcd ] [ c:\cadd6\mcr\default.mcr ]

Other Cool Stuff

The Mouse

Adendum One - My Computer

So as to help in understanding how these settings work, I have included a description of my computer system, a self-made Pentium System.

Hardware

• Case w/ Power Supply: "In-Win", ATX-501, 250 watt
• Motherboard: "Intel", LT430TX, ATX Motherboard
• CPU: "Intel", 233 MHz Pentium, w/ MMX
• Memory: (2) 168-pin 32 Mb SDRAM / 66Mhz 4 clock
• Hard Disk: "Maxtor", DiamondMax 1750, 87000A8 , 7 Gb
• Floppy Disk: 3 1/2", 1.4 Mb
• CD Rom: "Mitsumi" CD-ROM FX810T4!B, 4x
• Tape Backup: "HP/Colorado", T3000 internal, 3.2 Gb compressed
• Modem: "US Robotics", Sportster 336000 Fax PC Plug and Play, AT bus
• Graphics Card: "STB Systems", Lightspeed 128, 128 bit, PCI bus
• Monitor: "Sony", Multiscan HG, GDM-1936, 21" 1280 x 1024 NI
• Keyboard: "Microsoft", Natural Keyboard, (PS-2)
• Mouse: "Logitech", MouseMan, 4 Button, (PS-2)
• Sound Card: "Creative Technology", Soundblaster AWE-32, AT bus
• Speakers: "Labtec ", LCS 1400, Multimedia Speaker system