Windows/WfWG 3.1x + DOS 6.xx
Tricks + Secrets Files

... Serving strictly the BEST tweaks to millions of readers since 1993

Contents:

• Greetings, Fellow WinDOwS User
• COMPLETE FILES LIST
• ©Tricks + Secrets Files Updates [separate page]
• Hints for Best Enjoying This Site [separate page]
• My DownLoads [separate page]
• Your FeedBack [separate page]

W31-11D.ZIP December 9 2003

Download W31-11D.ZIP [450 KB] Use this link ONLY IF W31-11D.ZIP link above does not work.

Please disable ANY download managers and use your web browser to download files directly from this site

• EVERYTHING HERE IS ©COPYRIGHTED TO MDGx / AXCEL216, EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFIED OTHERWISE!
• YOU MAY NOT USE FOR PROFIT, MODIFY OR DISTRIBUTE WITHOUT PERMISSION!
• YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CHANGES YOU MAKE TO YOUR COMPUTER WHILE TRYING THESE TIPS/FILES!
• YOU •MUST READ THIS• for FREEware, Disclaimer, ©Copyrights + Contact Info DETAILS!
• IF YOU FOLLOW CAREFULLY ALL INCLUDED GUIDELINES YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBLEMS.

  ALWAYS BACKUP FIRST !

  W31-11D.ZIP is huge... 40+ files with 400+ ©tricks and counting.
  Therefore you need to take a break from whatever you were doing, brew a fresh coffee pot, fill up your XL mug [but don't spill it on your keyboard :)], kick back, relax, and only after that, dig in, 1 tip at a time.
  All steps must be performed in this exact order for maximum comfort. ;-)

  Microsoft declared Windows/WfWG 3.xx + MS-DOS 6.xx (ALL flavors) "obsolete". :(
  But I didn't! :) And here is the proof...
  The main goal of these files is to transform your PC into the ultimate, extremely tweaked machine you have always dreamed of by "squeezing" the last atom of performance it is capable of, to make it soar at MAX Speed.

• W31-11D.ZIP is my New/Updated/Revised/Improved collection release 11d [FREEware SOLELY for PROFIT-FREE use] containing tons of Valuable, Original, UNique, UNofficial, UNconventional, UNdocumented, UNcommon, UNknown, UNdiscovered, UNheard of + Hidden PC, Laptop, Modems, AOL, MS Internet Explorer + Netscape Navigator Windows 3.1x, Windows for WorkGroups 3.1x + MS-DOS 6.xx ©TRICKs, SECRETs, TWEAKs, TIPs, HINTs, FIXes, HACKs, GUIDEs, SPEED-UPs, TUNE-UPs, WORKarounds, CONFIGs, SETUPs, NEWs, INFO, SPECs, References, UPGRADEs, PATCHes, Easter EGGs + LINKs, ICOns + BitMaPs, REGistration + BATch files, all dedicated to SPEED-UP + MAXIMIZE your computing performance and to help you find possible SOLUTIONS for your "Wintel" problems [compiled into 1 of the most comprehensive Operating Systems + Computer Hardware tips databases on the Net].

• If you happen to have ANY OLDER versions of my ©Tricks + Secrets files, please DELETE them ALL FIRST, then download THIS NEW/CURRENT W31-11D.ZIP release into an EMPTY directory, and unzip/decompress it with Info-ZIP WiZ 16-bit ZIPping/unZIPping tool for Windows/WfWG 3.x [free], or any other file decompression utility supporting the ZIP format.

• W31-11D.ZIP file size is 450 KB and contains 45 files, which need about 1.5 MB of free disk space after extraction.

• The references in W31-11D.ZIP apply to ALL these Microsoft Operating Systems (OSes) + Environments final retail (RTM/Gold)/OEM releases (NOT beta/RCx), English versions ONLY:
  • Windows for WorkGroups (WfWG) 3.10 + 3.11,
  • Windows 3.10 + 3.11 and
  • MS-DOS 6.00, 6.20, 6.21 + 6.22,
  unless specified otherwise.
  Run WINVER.EXE to determine your Windows OS version!
  See "VER /R" or KRNL386.EXE Properties using File Manager (FM = C:\WINDOWS\WINFILE.EXE) in Windows to determine EXACTLY your OS version + build!

  		These plain text files are growing larger as I keep adding new ©tips. Therefore some will NOT open with Notepad (Windows default text/ASCII editor/viewer), limited to a maximum file size of ONLY 64 KB. Bummer! :( Alternatively you could use Write.exe (in full screen view), but I STRONGLY RECOMMEND Programmer's File Editor (PFE) 16-bit for Windows/WfWG 3.1x freeware Notepad replacement: opens ANY number of ASCII/text/HTML/INI/source files of ANY size limited ONLY by your computer's memory, OLE2/DDE/MDI compliant, highly customizable. HINT: BACKUP your original NOTEPAD.EXE, rename PFE.EXE to NOTEPAD.EXE, and then move the new NOTEPAD.EXE and PFE.HLP files to your Windows/WfWG directory, to have ALL your text files open with the NEW Notepad.

• MAXIMIZE your text editor/viewer window to FULL screen (or at least 640x480) to avoid using "Word wrap", which splits long command lines, Internet addresses (URLs) and Windows Registry keys.
  ALL these plain text/ASCII (.TXT) files are formatted to fit the 640x480 (VGA) screen of 79 characters, also used by EDIT.COM, the default MS-DOS text/ASCII text editor/viewer. I recommend EDIT.COM for displaying ONLY my AUTOEXEC.BAT + CONFIG.SYS files, because the extended ANSI characters I use on my "SET PROMPT=" and "SET WINPMT=" lines are NOT supported by Notepad or ANY other Windows text/ASCII editor/viewer, unless you are using a Notepad replacement that supports ANSI/DOS/OEM fixed pitch fonts.

• I am updating/improving these files frequently and adding new ©tricks. Stay tuned and come back often for Updates!

• W31-11D.ZIP does NOT include ANY binary EXEcutables NOR embedded DOCument objects, ONLY plain text (.BAT, .INI, .REG, .TXT, .SYS), graphics (.BMP, .RLE) and icon library (.DLL) files. Therefore it does NOT contain ANY viruses, worms or trojans! Nonetheless, I scan my files frequently for all known viruses.

• ALL my ZIP archives (.ZIP) are created by "shrinking" my files with 7-Zip 32-bit Windows 9x/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003/Vista DOS box command line tool [free GPL], to achieve MAXimum possible compression ratio, otherwise attainable only by ACE/CAB/RAR/UHARC archiving formats.

• CAUTION: Uninstalling/erasing these files will NOT restore/undo ANY changes YOU have chosen to make to YOUR files by applying/using ANY tips/files included here!

• A MUST for ALL Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/ME/XP/2003 + DOS 7.xx/8.00 users: get my dedicated ©Tricks + Secrets archive = W95-11D.EXE [FREEware]!

Please READ these plain text files for COMPLETE DETAILS + GUIDELINES:

• READ1ST.TXT [this page]: •READ IT ENTIRELY FIRST• to learn how to PROPERLY use and enjoy ALL these ©Tricks + Files!

• MUSTREAD.TXT [also available HERE]: AND I MEAN YOU •MUST READ• THIS: FREEware explained, Disclaimer, ©Copyrights, ®Trademarks + Contact Info.

• UPDATES.TXT [also available here]: My ©Tricks + Secrets Files Updates History.

• MYTIPS31.TXT [also available here]: 70+ Windows/WfWG 3.1x + DOS 6.xx ©Tricks + Secrets: some I stumbled upon while browsing the Internet or while helping others with WinDOwS problems, some were kindly sent in by concerned readers (all authors/contributors are acknowledged and reliable sources given proper credit) and some I discovered on my own.
  NOTE: Contributed tips (clearly marked) posted here do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the owner of this web site.

• AOLTIPS.TXT [also available here]: Valuable AOL 16-bit for Windows 3.1x/9x/ME ©Tweaks + Speed-Ups.

• EGGS.TXT [also available here]: 40+ UNdocumented Windows 3.x/9x/NTx/2000/ME/XP, DOS 5/6/7/8 + related Apps/Games Easter Eggs.

• MEMORY.TXT: My own ©Tips + Guidelines to understand how MS-DOS memory management really works, and how to boost + optimize your system's DOS conventional + upper memory resources to the MAX under MS-DOS 6.xx + Windows/WfWG 3.1x environments, to run ALL your favorite "memory hungry" DOS based programs/games.

  		I recommend using Uwe Sieber's UMBPCI.SYS, the BEST FREEware DOS upper memory driver.

• REGIONS.TXT: Technical details + graphical representations of PC Memory Types, Architecture, Regions + Mapping.

• EMM386.TXT: Memory Management Technical Details + Specs, using Microsoft HIMEM.SYS + EMM386.EXE under Win32 [Windows 95/98/ME], Win16 [Windows/WfWG 3.1x] + DOS16 [MS-DOS 5/6/7/8] OSes/Environments, also at MSKB.

• WIN31MEM.TXT: Technical Details on 386 Enhanced Mode Windows/WfWG 3.1x Virtual Memory Management, also at MSKB.

• DOSTIPS.TXT: Remap your F1 - F12 extended keys in native MS-DOS mode using ANSI.SYS in CONFIG.SYS, and try this fun(k)y Dosshell.ini for MS-DOS DOSSHELL users. DOS fanatics need apply! ;)

• KEY.TXT + X.TXT: ANSI batch (ASCII text) files used in "F1-F12 Remapping = MS-DOS Mode + ANSI Driver" from DOSTIPS.TXT.

• GLOSSARY.TXT [also available here]: 1000+ File Extensions, Terms, Standards, Abbreviations + Acronyms.

• SECRETS.TXT [also available here]: MS-DOS 5.00 - 8.00 UNdocumented, Hidden + Secret Features Microsoft forgot to tell us about, FAT16 -> FAT32 specs + tips and Partitioning, Formatting + Backup tools.

• SOFTWARE.TXT [also available here]: Software Essentials [99.99% FREE(ware)]: MUST HAVE MS Windows/WfWG 3.1x + MS-DOS Upgrades, Patches, Fixes, Tools, Drivers, Power Toys, BenchMarks, Games etc.

• MYPC.TXT [also available here]: My home assembled upgraded PC hardware specs [overclocked].

• MEM62.TXT + MEM31.TXT: My System Memory stats with everything loaded HIGH in native DOS 6.xx mode + Windows/WfWG 3.1x DOS box/session (using 5 different memory managers), generated by running "MEM /A/C/P".

• MSD62.TXT: My System brief Report generated by MSD (MicroSoft Diagnostics tool) using DOS 6.xx + Windows/WfWG 3.1x.

• NEWLOGO.TXT: My ©Tips + Guidelines for changing/creating/editing/using your Windows/WfWG 3.1x startup Logo (.RLE) + background Wallpaper (BitMaP = .BMP).

• MYICONS.TXT [also available here]: Guidelines for using my Windows 3.xx/9x/NT/2000/ME/XP/2003 icons contained in MYICONS.DLL.

• CREDITS.TXT [also available here]: My DownLoads, Credits + Interests.

• REVIEWS.TXT [also available here]: My Web Site Reviews + Awards.

• LETTER.TXT: Just a moving thank you note...

• MDGX.HTM: Run it to visit my home site in your default web browser.

Open ALL included .BAT, .INI, .REG + .SYS files with Notepad in Windows or EDIT.COM in DOS •FIRST• to •READ• their GUIDELINES, and then •READ• the related topics from the included text [.TXT] files to learn how to PROPERLY use them:

• MPLAYER.REG: Registration file aimed to optimize the playback of your favorite Windows/WfWG 3.1x audio/video/movie/mpeg/etc media clips using MPLAYER.EXE, explained in "MEDIA PLAYER" from MYTIPS31.TXT.

• DOS batch, initialization + system files [.BAT, .INI + .SYS] aimed to ease/speed-up Win31 + DOS6 file/memory management routine chores: boot + load, configure + setup, backup + restore, extract + search, zip + unzip:

  		Some of these BATches use PKWare (PKZIP + PKUNZIP) v2.50 16 + 32 bit, THE popular DOS ZIPping/unZIPping tools, LFNs compliant ONLY in a Windows 95/98/ME DOS box [202 KB, no nag shareware].

  • BACKUP31.BAT + RESTOR31.BAT: explained in "RESTORE AFTER INSTALL" from MYTIPS31.TXT.

  • ZIPFLOP.BAT + ZIPHARD.BAT: explained in "AUTOMATIC ZIP" from MYTIPS31.TXT.

  • NOLOGO.BAT (uses NOLOGO.RLE) + RESTLOGO.BAT: explained in paragraph "E." from NEWLOGO.TXT.

  • FIND!.BAT: explained in "FIND FAST" from MYTIPS31.TXT.

  • AUTOEXEC.BAT + CONFIG.SYS: My MS-DOS 6.22 + MS WfWG 3.11 startup files using 5 memory managers, explained in MEMORY.TXT, MEM62.TXT + MEM31.TXT.
    Included ONLY AS EXAMPLES for MAXimizing your free DOS memory.

  • EAB.BAT + ECS.BAT: My handy DOS BATch files to automate the editing of Windows 9x/ME + MS-DOS 6.xx AUTOEXEC.BAT + CONFIG.SYS, explained in "EDIT BOOT FILES" from MYTIPS31.TXT.

  • W31.BAT: I run it to load/exit/"clean-up" Windows and return to native MS-DOS, with both Windows 98 SE [boot into MS-DOS 7.10] and Windows for WorkGroups 3.11 [boot into MS-DOS 6.22], in dual-boot setup [using Win98 Startup Menu].
    Included ONLY AS EXAMPLE for ALL WinDOwS users.

  • DOSSHELL.INI: My custom MS DosShell initialization file containing 7 "fun(k)y" color schemes, explained in "MS DOSSHELL = MS-DOS File Manager" from DOSTIPS.TXT.
    Included here ONLY AS EXAMPLE for ALL DOSSHELL users.

Enjoy my Windows Wallpapers + Icons [.BMP + .DLL]:

• SUNKNWIN.BMP (640x480 pixels): My funny Windows background wallpaper (.BMP format, RGB encoded, 256 colors).
  Get ALL my 13 Windows 3.xx/9x/NT/2000/ME/XP/2003 BitMaPs = MYBMPS.ZIP [1.61 MB, FREEware, separate file] in .BMP format, RGB encoded, 640x480 + 1024x768 pixels, 256 or 16 colors.
  See my Site Logos page for more 3D pics.

• MYICONS.DLL: My 223 Windows 3.xx/9x/NT/2000/ME/XP/2003 icons (16-bit DLL format, 32x32 pixels, 16 colors) for your favorite Windows/DOS apps/games, in a single .DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file, compressed for reduced file size and convenience.
  Read MYICONS.TXT to learn how to change icons in Windows.
  Get ALL my 223 Windows Icons = MYICONS.ZIP [205 KB, FREEware, separate file] in ICO, ICL + DLL formats.

A MUST! Read these valuable FREEware Tips text files courtesy of:

• Ojatex:
  • LAPTOP.TXT [also available here]: Windows 3.1x/9x + DOS 6/7 Laptop Tips for all "portable" users.
    Go to Ojatex's Laptop Tips pages.
    Get Ojatex's Complete Laptop Tips in Windows HELP format.
    Get Ojatex's Complete Laptop Tips in Acrobat PDF format.

• Captain SiskoX:
  • MODEMS.TXT: Windows 3.1x/9x + DOS 6/7 Modems Tips.
    Get all Captain's Tips in TXT format [36 KB, freeware].

... All these and much more. In a few words, how to make your [computing] life easier and more enjoyable.
Hope you'll find something useful here.
But you may want to set aside a couple of weeks or so of your spare time to properly enjoy all these "goodies"... ;-)

Have fun!

Best wishes,
MDGx