VOGONS


First post, by Cyber Akuma

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Not sure what would be the correct/best way to do this.

I know that obviously the first step is to install DOS 6.22, but then it's not clear if you should immediately install Windows 3.11 or if you should install the drivers for your mouse, CD, soundcard, ETC for DOS first.

I would have assumed that you need to install the drivers for DOS before Windows, but apparently some of them need to detect if Windows is installed and add lines to your config files/additional drivers, meanwhile I was worried that if I didn't install the drivers first then Windows would not detect them, especially since it makes changes to your DOS config files as well.

Or does it depend on what you are installing the drivers for? From what I can tell I should install the sound card drivers after installing Windows, but then it's not clear if other hardware like the mouse or cdrom should be installed before or after Windows.

Reply 2 of 6, by Jo22

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Hi, it depends.. Newer installers for soundcards drivers and graphics drivers often try to detect a Windows installation.

My PAS16 did detect Windows directory, for example and wanted to create a program group in Program Manager.
It also had installed the SCSI CD-ROM driver, because the PAS16 had an CD-ROM controller.

SB16 installer is similar, I think.

So I would do it this way:
a) MS-DOS 6.22
b) CD-ROM drivers (storage drivers)
c) Windows 3.x
d) graphics and sound drivers
e) mouse drivers

Or in short, make sure that the basic system Installation is complete, then install drivers.
Storage drivers do usually just install a DOS driver, but there might be exceptions.
SCSI drivers might want to install a Fast Disk driver for Windows 3.1x.

Edit: Both MS-DOS 6.2x and Windows 3.1x do contain basic drivers such as Himem.sys, Emm386.exe or Mscdex.exe.
So installers for CD-ROM drivers will find them either way.
The only difference is that sometimes DOS/Windows have newer versions.
Windows for Workgroups 3.11 is most recent in terms of drivers, but MS-DOS 6.2x is more recent than Windows 3.10.

Edit: Mouse drivers such as MS Mouse 9 might do contain a Windows applet to allow configuring the mouse speed.
So it's better to install that after Windows 3.1x is already installed.

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 3 of 6, by chinny22

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Jo22 wrote on 2025-01-12, 02:46:
So I would do it this way: a) MS-DOS 6.22 b) CD-ROM drivers (storage drivers) c) Windows 3.x d) graphics and sound drivers e) mo […]
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So I would do it this way:
a) MS-DOS 6.22
b) CD-ROM drivers (storage drivers)
c) Windows 3.x
d) graphics and sound drivers
e) mouse drivers

I'd do the same BUT...
I just use ctmouse so load that before windows.
If just using the windows generic SVGA driver then do this during windows install.
If using network card would also do this after installing windows.

Reply 5 of 6, by Jo22

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chinny22 wrote on 2025-01-13, 00:59:
I'd do the same BUT... I just use ctmouse so load that before windows. If just using the windows generic SVGA driver then do thi […]
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Jo22 wrote on 2025-01-12, 02:46:
So I would do it this way: a) MS-DOS 6.22 b) CD-ROM drivers (storage drivers) c) Windows 3.x d) graphics and sound drivers e) mo […]
Show full quote

So I would do it this way:
a) MS-DOS 6.22
b) CD-ROM drivers (storage drivers)
c) Windows 3.x
d) graphics and sound drivers
e) mouse drivers

I'd do the same BUT...
I just use ctmouse so load that before windows.
If just using the windows generic SVGA driver then do this during windows install.
If using network card would also do this after installing windows.

Hi, I meant running the setup program of the setup diskette of MS Mouse 9 or higher, for example. 😀
This driver package comes with both MS-DOS and Windows 3.x drivers.

If memory serves, it even installs a new Windows mouse driver that is better.
It fixes certain issues with mouse stuttering, uses 16550A FiFo for serial mice and so on.

It also fixes issues with keyboard controller conflicts (PS/2), I vaguely remember.
It's useful for notebook owners (Compaq Contura, Aero etc).

That's why I suggested running the mouse setup program the last.
The new Windows driver can also cause trouble, maybe, so it's better to have a known-good Windows installation first.

About Cutemouse, becareful loading it with Windows 2.x.
Windows 2.x has trouble accessing a microsoft mouse if Cutemouse is loaded.
Using an older MS-Mouse driver such as MS-Mouse 6.24 from 1988 (10KB) is a better alternative here (Windows 2.x uses its own mouse driver).

"Time, it seems, doesn't flow. For some it's fast, for some it's slow.
In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

//My video channel//

Reply 6 of 6, by chinny22

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Cyber Akuma wrote on 2025-01-13, 01:02:

So load mouse driver before Windows, or only if using that one before Windows otherwise after Windows?

I do as it means you can use the mouse during windows install, not that it's needed, setup is pretty well designed for just a keyboard.

But I'm old and too stubborn to stop using ctmouse.
I'm not doubting Jo22's Mouse 9 might be the better choice, It's all just personal choice.