[TRLog] Smartdrv 5.01

[KL7RA]

For the TRLog users that prefer contesting on DOS only "junque" PCs
this post may be of some interest. Those using Windows need not worry
about any of this as Windows has it's own cache system. You can load
the cache system Smartdrv once windows is shut down if you operate
from a DOS boot.

Smartdrv is a handy cache program that will greatly speed up data entry.
I have found the program necessary when we are running a full blown,
interfaced radios, all logging features on, six position networked with
spots and logs flowing. A simple test you might run to see if it would
help your setup is to load 6.72 into a fresh directory, select the WW
and log a call. The cursor should jump to the now blank call window.

If the cursor lags and this interferes with your operating style then
loading Smartdrv will help. If it stalls after the call with Smartdrv
loaded then using low memory for the cache will help.

The following CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXECT.BAT files will load
Smartdrv correctly and will run TRLog the fastest. This assumes DOS
6.22. 6.22 was the last version published by MS and was a quick fix
for 6.20 sold in 1994 or so. The operating system comes with a large
library of handy programs along with Smartdrv 5.01. You can find
MS authorized 6.22 packages with the book on Ebay for cheap, it's
also sold in a few computer stores for not so cheap.

CONFIG.SYS

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
BUFFERS=40,0
FILES=45
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=D
FCBS=16,0
DOS=HIGH
STACKS=18,256
BREAK=ON

Notes:
This is a TRLog tested config file stripped of any unnecessary commands.
The first lines are necessary to load Smartdrv to high memory and the
6.22 library in the directory DOS has the files HIMEM.SYS and the
memory manager EMM386 necessary for 386 and later PC's. The
files are set larger then 6.22 defaults to allow Turbo Pascal overlays
to
load. DOS 6.22 is loaded into extended memory to allow TRLog to
operate with a decent size memory for calls. TR 6.72 should show
around 169K with the WW selected and no log.dat and without a
config file loaded. If you prefer Smartdrv to run even faster it will
reduce the 169K down to 157K or so.

AUTOEXEC.BAT

@ECHO OFF
PROMPT $p$g
PATH C:\DOS;c:\log
set TZ=UTC
LH /L:0;1,42384 /S C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.EXE
C:\DOS\smartdrv/c
C:

Notes:
This batch file allows Smartdrv to load in high memory but
cache in low to make it very fast. The payback is it requires
some memory resources. The LH command is DOS 6.22
Load High not found in early versions. This line is setting up
a block of memory to load Smartdrive.exe but is stripping
it back to fit. Notice Smartdrv is placed at the end of the file
per MS instructions and the /c is not pointing to a drive but
is a switch. If you leave off the drive specification the default
will be to cache read and write C:drive but not A:. I prefer
to backup to a floppy in the A:drive during the contest using
ALT F. It takes a little longer but risk free.

The switch /c forces smartdrv to run at startup and I can
see if things are working, as an added bonus the drive status
dump is aborted.

Using these files with DOS 6.22 on P90 dos only machines
TRLog operation has been 100 per cent error free and FAST.

73 Rich KL7RA