Misc. Utilities for DOS [page 1 of 2]

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SYSTEM INFO AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS

[Remarks: Although there are some comprehensive freeware sysinfo tools available for DOS, many are older, no longer in development, and won't always provide accurate info about newer hardware. NSSI, listed below, is both free and current but is still in development and incomplete. There are some comprehensive and current (but shareware) DOS sysinfo progs still being developed (browse the Simtel and SAC archives). Note that drive identity tools are listed on the disk utils page.]


NSSI- System information tool with excellent CPU identification capability.

unrated [added 01-30-98 updated 09-09-00]

NSSI is an up-to-date freeware hardware information tool. Some features have yet to be implemented, but it is quickly becoming a comprehensive and detailed hardware analyzer. Also includes CPU and FPU performance tests. Other capabilities: Save BIOS, Save Video BIOS, Save Boot, Save Partition, View File, Search Video Modes and Test CPU Bugs, Test Y2K rollover, Reset keyboard, Reset computer, Test speaker, printer, Automatic Report. Command line options available. Author: Tomáš Navrátil, Czech Republic. (2000)

Watch for new versions on Home Page if link becomes outdated.

09-13-00: v0.48 (09-00) available.

download nssi048.exe (371K)


ASQ- System analysis tool from QUALITAS.

unrated

Qualitas, the company that developed the famed MAX memory management tools for DOS, is freely distributing their aging sysinfo program ASQ on their Web site. You'll need to fill in a web page form with your name and e-mail/ postal addresses to get access to the download page. ASQ is analogous to the MSD tool shipped with DOS/ Win3x, but includes a few different features. Doesn't have a graphic memory mapper like MSD. ASQ can analyse your DOS configuration and suggest areas where you can improve performance/ memory management. It is menu driven and contains a helpful tutorial and glossary. Here are some features:

Memory summary..... EMS usage......... CMOS detail
Low DOS memory..... XMS memory........ Equipment summary
High DOS memory.... Access timing..... Video
ROM scan........... Config summary.... Drives
Interrupts......... CONFIG.SYS file... Ports
Extended memory.... AUTOEXEC.BAT file. BIOS detail
Expanded memory.... MAX PROfile file.. Qualitas information
ExtraDOS profile... SYSTEM.INI........ Windows information

The current version (1996) is getting dated now and won't be of much value to owners of newer PC's.

Go to ASQ download page (asq.zip is 230K)


PC Diagnostics- Hardware diagnostics tool.

unrated [added 09-25-99]

PC Diagnostics '95 performs hardware testing- this distinguishes it from traditional system information utils like Microsoft's MSD or Qualitas' ASQ. PC Diagnostics "can check out most aspects of any PC, including modern features such as the PCI, AGP & MCA busses, and handles all types of systems, from an XT all the way to Pentium II. Performs system burn-in's and can even detect intermittent problems." While not difficult to use, it is intended for computer technicians /experienced users who are best able to interpret the information generated. The program is reasonably current and remains under development. Limitations and cautions are fully discussed in the documentation. This tool needs to be run after a clean boot (e.g., on a Win9x system, F8 on bootup and go directly to the "safe" command prompt to run the program). For more info see the PC DIAGNOSTICS '95 page

Author: Craig Hart, Australia (1999) Home page.

download diags.zip (179K)


Y2000- Test PC for Year 2000 compliance (Y2K).

unrated

"This program tests the personal computer's ability to support the year 2000, not the operating system or software applications. Separate testing must be performed on software." Returns error levels that can be used in batch files. Can't be run under Windows. Author: NSTL (1997)

The following tests are performed:

download y2000.exe (33K, self extracting ZIP)

Also see: HOLMESFX- TSR fix for old bios RTC Y2K failures


PCI- PCI system information tool.

unrated [added 08-28-00]

Most modern PCs (mid 1990's +) include a PCI bus. PCI "examines your PCI Bus (including devices on the motherboard, AGP port and within the PCI chipset itself) and reports in detail. Identifies over 5500 different vendors and devices." Released as freeware, is freely modifiable, and source is included. PCI database is updated regularly.

  Usage: PCI [-H] [-D] [-S] [-T] [-B] [-P] [-?]   [] indicates optional parameter
-H : Use direct hardware access (instead of the BIOS) to retrieve PCI Info
     May be required for accurate reporting on Intel 430FX chipset+Award BIOS
-D : Do a hex-dump of each device's configuration space
-S : Create a brief, summary report only; only devices and IRQs listed
-T : Disable test ROM IRQ Routing Table function
-B : Enable display of Bus, Device & Function info
-P : Enable display of PCI slot routing data
-? : Displays this help screen!

Author: Craig Hart, Australia (2000). Home Page.

download pci.zip (140K)
and also get latest PCI database: PCIDEVS.TXT


DOS Function Tracers

Memory resident utilities that can be used to troubleshoot program errors and log file access. Don't run these under Windows.

1. Argus- DOS function tracer logs file access and other parameters.
2. KGB- DOS function tracer logs file access.

Argus * * * * A memory resident utility that packs a big punch for its small (8K) size. Argus can log access to drives, directories, files and transferred bytes, EMS use, modifications of the INT table, and memory management. I use it primarily to troubleshoot and to discover what file actions some apps perform (e.g., what files are required by a program, log creation of temp files, etc.). Requires about 5K RAM and can be uninstalled from memory. One warning: The log files created by Argus can grow very large very quickly.

KGB * * * A 2K memory resident utility that logs only file activity. Unlike Argus, KGB doesn't stamp the log entries with times. The log file is smaller and easier to read compared with Argus because KGB doesn't record common error messages. Permanent saving of log file. Requires 1K RAM and can be disabled or uninstalled from memory.

download argus161.zip
download kgb104.zip


HEX EDITORS

There are many freeware hex editors floating around- only a few listed here. I use these mainly for patching.


1. Zap-It- Hex and disk editor.
2. Hex- Small hex editor handles big files.
3. QVIEW- Text viewer for programmers doubles as hex /asm editor.
4. BIEW- Hex Editor.
5. HIEW- Hex editor for power users.
6. HexIt- Hex editor with macros; can insert and delete bytes/ blocks.
7. KZAP- Dual file hex editor/viewer with TSR option.

  1. Zap-It: unrated. A general purpose disk and hex editor- see extended description on disk utilities page.
  2. Hex: * * * Listed here because it is quite small (11k) yet very usable for simple patching tasks. Can edit ascii or binary files of any size. Dual display of hex and ascii panes. Includes a character search feature. Help bar displayed at bottom of screen. Files must be loaded from command line. Byte replacement only. Interface is German yet easy to interpret. No mouse support. Author: Christian Stellmach.
  3. BIEW: unrated [added 07-11-00]. Brief remarks: Biew's interface resembles HIEW and QVIEW (and all are Russian in origin). Of these, BIEW appears to be the only one that both remains free and continues active development. Includes binary, hexadecimal and disassembler (PentiumIII/K7 Athlon/Cyrix-M2) modes, with editing capability. Text mode allows viewing only. Real and protected mode DOS versions are available. Uniquely, Linux, Win32 console, OS/2 versions of BIEW are also available. GPL freeware. Biew Home Page. Author: Nick Kurshev, Russia (2000).
  4. QVIEW: * * * * * A slick and fast text/hex/asm viewer that can also function as a very capable hex editor. QVIEW can insert and delete bytes- not many freeware hex editors do that. Block operations supported. Mouse support. Note: Like HIEW, QVIEW is intended for experienced users and others should approach it with some cautions in mind: editing changes appear to be written to disk without confirmation (at least the default config appears to act this way). There is an UNDO command that works in an untraditional fashion (place cursor on altered byte(s) that you wish to undo). See extended description on Text Viewers page.
  5. HIEW: * * * * * [added 6-23-98 updated 07-27-99]. Hacker's View. This hex editor seems to be a long-standing freeware (prior to v6.15) favorite among programmers and hackers- the relatively sparse documentation assumes experience with hex editors (Use Alt-H for context sensitive help). Features from docs: Text/ hex mode editor; Built-in Pentium Pro assembler; create new files; search and replace mode; Search of assembler commands using pattern; bookmarks; Block operations in HEX/DECODE modes. HIEW.EXE runs under both DOS and OS/2. As of 7-99 HIEW has become shareware (commencing with v6.15). Author: Eugene Suslikov, Russia (1999).
  6. HexIt: unrated. [added 8-16-98 updated 01-04-00]. Includes text, hex, code and dump modes. Easy custom keyboard configuration. Byte insertion/ deletion and block cut/ paste. Can manage many files at once. Macro recording and playback. File compare feature. Includes assembler/ disassembler. 01-04-00: latest version is 1.55 (12-99)- among other changes, package now includes a Win32 console exe. Under development. Author: Mikael Klasson, Sweden. (1999)
  7. KZAP: * * * * [added 3-16-98]. A useful and "dangerous" hex editor/viewer. Useful because it can display two files simultaneously enabling you to scroll and compare both in a synchronous manner. If two files are loaded KZAP can also compare the data in the two windows. Potentially dangerous because any editing changes will be written to disk- whether you like it or not. Kzap can also function as a RAM or disk viewer/ editor. Byte replacement only. Option to load as a TSR (w/ unload). No mouse support. Author: Doug Bagley (1991)

LINUX DISTRIBUTIONS FOR DOS PARTITIONS...

Notes: Below are some *smaller* Linux OS distributions that can coexist with DOS/Win9x on the same partition. Two basic filesystem flavors exist: Those using an umsdos filesystem (e.g., Pygmy , below) and those using a loopback form of the native ext2 filesystem ( e.g., LoopLinux- below, Phat Linux [ 1 ] ). Although none of the many and diverse floppy based linuxes are listed here yet- these could be safer alternatives for the novice (e.g., see FLOPPIX); note that these use a ramdisk device; consequently, minimum RAM requirements can be higher (~8-16 MB).

[ 1 ] The very hefty Phat Linux may be the slickest available loop version and one of easiest to get started with because it has a newbie-friendly hardware id/ configuration tool. X-windows configuration was almost a no-brainer. But the installation demands much disk space (~750MB). While you can download and install the Phat Linux distribution gratis, the zip is too big for users without a fast net connection (180MB, v3.2). The alternative is to purchase the CD-ROM.


1. Pygmy Linux- Small Linux distribution coexists in DOS/Win partitions, easy install (UMSDOS).
2. LoopLinux- (aka "DosLinux") Linux for DOS partitions implements efficient "virtual partition" (ext2 filesystem).

1. Pygmy Linux

unrated [added 09-26-99]

"...is a small distribution of the Linux operating system. Pygmy is UMSDOS based, it allows a novice user to install a fully functional operating system that co-exists peacefully with DOS/Win95,98 on the same partition. It is great for people who wish to experiment with Linux without the fear of trashing their computers with fdisk, for old PC users (minimal configuration is i386, 4 MB RAM and approximately 25 MB of disk space). Pygmy is internet ready, it supports connection via phone line (modem) and network card (LAN). It allows installation of Slackware, Redhat and Debian packages."

My notes: I downloaded this package simply because the easy install instructions were enticing. And it was painless (but note that the 25 MB free diskspace requirement above is more like 35-40 MB when you calculate allocated space). Pygmy is not a "tutorial package" which hand-holds the user through custom configuration, Internet connectivity, and the like- learning to use Pygmy will be as challenging as any other LINUX distribution. But Pygmy does come with a complete set of Unix tools that will be familiar to many DOS users (bash, e/f/z/grep, sed, (m)awk, less,...etc.) and includes a smart little collection of newbie-friendly programs (e.g., an easy-to-use text editor (PICO), good NC-like file manager (MC), graphics viewer (zgv), Lynx, more).

Pygmy Linux is currently distributed as 6 RAR archives (1.4MB) each, and an install program.

Pygmy X, a GUI X-windowing system add-on (with VNC viewer) is also available.

See Pygmy Linux Project Homepage for download information, add-ons, and FAQS. Maintainer: Peter Psota (1999)


3. LoopLinux (aka "DosLinux")

* * * * * [added 09-29-99 updated 08-19-00]

Comments from a user: "[LoopLinux] is another excellent Linux mini-distribution which can be dropped into an existing Dos partition. I have tried virtually all of the small distributions and it is by far the best...It is a distribution that one can start out with and then stay and grow with... It uses a loop system that creates a user controllable, single image file which acts as a virtual partition [the size of the partition can be defined by user during install]. This is much more efficient than the USMSDOS system which creates a complex directory structure. In particular, it is very easy to delete the loop system because it consists of only a few files. One must use deltree or its equivalent to delete a usmsdos system and it can be rather time consuming. Another good point is the documentation which is excellent for this kind of distribution. If one is in the mood, one can install LoopLinux in a standard Linux partition as well. I have done this and prefer the results to Red Hat 6.0....LoopLinux is easily extendable. I have downloaded and installed Xwindows using the documentation available on the LoopLinux site and it went without a hitch. It is easy to install support for a Zip drive as well." Maintainer: Kent Robotti, (1999).

[My notes: The install directions are clear and accurate. When the docs say "MS-DOS mode" this implies a *clean* boot to DOS (in Win98 = F8 and "safe command prompt" option).]

08-19-00: Latest version is v24 (08-00) Home Page. Suggested by Greg Head.

See the LoopLinux Home Page for more info and download links.


Linux-related: other

DOSEMU- Provides DOS emulation under Linux.

unrated [added 03-06-00 updated 07-14-00]

"DOSEMU is a PC Emulator application that allows Linux to run a DOS operating system in a virtual x86 machine. This allows you to run many DOS applications." DOSEMU does require native DOS files (e.g., command.com, io.sys, msdos.sys). Compatible with many DOS's.

Capabilities include:

Author: DOSEMU Team. (2000). Home Page.

07-14-00: v1.01, stable (07-00) available.

See DOSEMU FTP site for latest binaries.


OTHER MISC. PROGS...


InkUtils - Valuable collection of DOS/ Win9x-ready utilities.

* * * * * [updated 2-21-99]

Author's description: "The Inkutils are a suite of 11 DOS / Win 9x DOS utilities that range from a mouse driven, 4DOS / NDOS aware full-screen description editor (with unique file-import and 4DOS / NDOS auto-config features) to an interactive point and click SmartDrive (or compatible) disk cache controller. There's also a popup TSR calculator that can be loaded in less than 1.7K. A friendly menu style user guide with full documentation for each Inkutil is also included. Windows 9x long file names and UNC pathnames are supported througout the Inkutils.

The following utilities are included:

Formerly shareware, now freeware. Author: Mark Incley,UK (1999) Home Page. Suggested by Lars-Erik Sandberg.

download ink153.exe (255K)


Cache Control- Mouse compatible control center for MS-DOS SmartDrive.

unrated [added 3-5-98 updated 2-21-99]

A slick and friendly full screen interface for the SmartDrive cache program: "...allows cache settings to be changed by intuitive point-and-clicking rather than using the less friendly command line options." Change settings for individual drives by clicking on drive buttons and selecting read/write caching options. Current settings are displayed under drive buttons. Good built-in help. EXE size= 14.4K.

Function Keys:

Formerly shareware, now freeware. Author: Mark Incley, UK (1997). Suggested by Lars-Erik Sandberg.

Part of the Inkutils set (v1.53;2-99):
download ink153.exe (255K)


UXUTL- Comprehensive collection of command line Unix utilities for DOS.

* * * *

[Also see the more current GNU Txtutils and Fileutils (386+, DJGPP)]

This set of UNIX utilities was originally developed for use with the author's unixish MS Shell 2.x but the tools can be used as standalone programs. The UXUTL set is split into four archives (a, b, c, and d) and mainly consists of file and text processing programs. Documentation (included with the "a" set) is sparse- you'll need to acquire the corresponding Unix MAN docs to appreciate the full potential of these programs. One util I use frequently from this package is TEE- it allows you to redirect output to the screen and to a file *simultaneously.* Here are the contents of A-D:

A: basename- Display file namename, bmgrep- Fast pattern matching utility, cal- Display calendar, cat- Concatenate files, cdiff- Context difference,cgrep- Search file for pattern and display context, chmod- Change file attributes, cmp- Compare two files, comm- Select or reject lines common to two sorted files, cp- Copy files, cpio- Archive files, csplit- Context or line file splitter, cut- Cut data out of a file.

B: date- Display / change date and time, dd- Data copy, df- Display Disk Free space, dirname- Extract directory name from filename, du- Display disk usage, expr- Evaluate arguments as expression, fgrep- Search file for string, find- Search dir tree for files matching req., fold- Fold long lines to stdout, fstat- Print file status information, grep- Search file for pattern, head- Display file headers, ls- List directory

C: m4- M4 Macro processor, make- Makefile processor, mkdir- Make path, mv- Move files, od- octal dump, printarg- Print arguments to stdout, printenv- Print environment to stdout, rm- Remove files, rmdir- Remove directories, setschar- Set switch character, sleep- Wait for n seconds, sort- Sort files, split- Split file into n line parts.

D: strings- Display the strings in files, sym- Display symbolic info from obj and lib files, tail- Print tail of file, tee- Copy stdin to one or more files and standard output. touch- Change a file's time stamp or size, tput- Output a termcap string, tr-Translate characters, uniq- Display unique lines, wc- Count number of words in file, which- Display the dir containing a command from PATH.

Author: Ian Stewartson (1994)


End-user fixes for Borland Pascal 7 CRT bug (Runtime Error 200)

BP7PAT- Patches Borland Pascal 7 compiled exes which generate runtime error 200 on fast PC's.
PROT 200- TSR runtime fix for Borland Pascal 7 compiled exes with runtime error 200 on fast PC's.
TP7P5FIX- TSR runtime fix for Borland Pascal 7 compiled exes with runtime error 200 on fast PC's.

unrated

These programs are intended for users of "fast" PC's (e.g., Pentiums >~200 mhz). They can breathe life back into countless older Borland Pascal compiled DOS programs which may generate an error message on execution ("Runtime error 200 at xxxx:xxxx.") and abort. Several programs listed on this site generate that error. For the end user two types of remedies to the TP/BP CRT problem exist: 1) Patchers, which modify the original executable (BP7PAT, below, or numerous other similar patchers); or 2) TSR runtime fixes (e.g., PROT200, TP7P5FIX, below) which don't modify the original exe- but instead catch and fix the error at execution. The TSR fix can be more desirable if you use a large number of programs with the error. Attempts at exe patching are not always successful because some compressed exes won't be easily uncompressable (req. for patching) or they may contain anti-hacking code which defeats a successful patch. In addition, patching may infringe upon a program's copyright. Limitations of the TSR fixes include less than 100 percent effectiveness and the additional (if small- 1K) memory cost of running the TSR. For a very different and not entirely desirable solution (e.g., when all else seems to fail), try SLOWDOWN.

Authors: BP7PAT [added 05-14-99]: PHaX (1999), Home Page.; PROT 200 [added 01-24-00]: Pap­k Martin, Slovakia (2000); TP7P5FIX [added 08-16-99]: Author: Marek Futrega (1998) Home Page.

  1. download bppat102.zip (includes BP7PAT, 6.5K)
  2. download prot200.zip (70K) LINK FIXED 01-25-00
  3. download tp7p5fix.zip (2K)

For more info on the TP/BP CRT problem see J.R. Stockton's page.


HBREAK- TSR aids in escaping DOS programs, avoiding system crashes.

unrated [added 01-08-00 updated 02-21-00]

Hbreak is a TSR which allows the user to interrupt programs and prevent some potential system crashes- it's more broadly effective than Ctrl-Break. HBREAK can interrupt a variety of programs (e.g., try it with EDIT). Warnings: Don't load tsr's after HBREAK. The default hotkey is CTRL-ALT-C (modifiable). HBREAK requires around 3.2K of memory, and self-installs into high memory by default.

"...HBREAK relocates the first 8 hardware INTs from habitual zone of 8-0Fh to new zone 50-57h: this is the only alternative location that MS-DOS 5.0 EMM386 support. This is not conflictive with Windows 3, but /R=0 switch avoid this action (perhaps necessary on some future systems): this option decrease the efficacy. The EMS memory assigned will be recovered (and the XMS with QEMM386 and similar memory managers) in the most of cases."

Author: Ciriaco García de Celis, Spain (1993, 1996).

HBREAK [/R=0|1] [/T=scan code] [/S=«shifts»] [/ML] [/U] [/?|H]
/R=0        prevent INT relocation.
/U          uninstall (if possible).
/ML         forces installation in conventional memory
/T and  /S  Activation keys may be selected with /T and  /S

02-21-00: A link to v5.5 (1996, never widely released), has been added. No version history available- but on the surface 5.5 uses slightly less memory than 5.2. No docs are included with 5.5. Much thanks to Stephen Kitt for obtaining the file.

download hbreak52.zip (v5.2, 7K)
or
download hbreak55.zip (v5.5, 8K)

Another similar program worth trying is ESCAPE20.ZIP (4.9K). Author: Selçuk Aygüney, Turkey, 1995.


LFNDOS-TSR provides Win9x Long Filename (LFN) API to DOS programs.

unrated [added 06-20-99 updated 09-25-99]

"Any DOS program which can use long file names, for example DOS 7 Command.com, edit.com and all DJGPP programs, can load and save using them with LFNDOS. Designed for Win95 users using DOS-mode, although it works under old DOS versions too!" Be sure to read the docs first for a discussion of limitations, bugs, and incompatible programs. Source available from home page.

New in v1.06 (8-99): see docs.

Author: Chris Jones (1999). Home Page.

download lfndos.zip (37K)


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