MDGx MAX Speed WinDOwS �Tricks � Secrets � Bugs � Fixes

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MSD Brief System Report: Windows 9x/ME + DOS 7.xx/8.00
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MicroSoft Diagnostics (MSD.EXE) is the 16-bit DOS based graphical EGA with
mouse support tool included with MS-DOS 6.00/6.20/6.21/6.22, Windows
95/OSR1/OSR2/98/98 SE(U) [a.k.a. MS-DOS 7.00/7.10] and Windows ME [a.k.a.
MS-DOS 8.00], you might need one day [hope not ;)] to see how your System, OS,
Memory, Devices, TSRs, Video, Mouse, Disks, Ports, Network etc... are
configured and to detect eventual hardware conflicts: IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest
line), BA (hex Base Address), I/O Port, COMx Port... etc.
Although a primitive, old style "legacy" tool, MSD can be quite useful
sometimes in "sniffing" (low level, real mode) hardware problems.

Wikipedia: Microsoft Diagnostics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Diagnostics

FYI:
Microsoft replaced the 16-bit MSD.EXE DOS mode tool with the 32-bit WinMSD
(WINMSD.EXE) GUI based counterpart in Windows NT 3.5x/4.0 + 2000/XP/2003:
http://www.ss64.com/nt/winmsd.html
WINMSD.EXE can trigger WINMSDP.EXE (another command line tool) to display +
print additional details about installed hardware devices + system status:
http://www.ss64.com/nt/winmsdp.html
More info:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/102468
WINMSDP.EXE is part of Windows 2000/XP/2003 Resource Kit (RK) Tools (free):
http://www.petri.co.il/download_free_reskit_tools.htm
WinMSD [just a stub = runs
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\MSInfo\MSINFO32.EXE (default
location)] was replaced with the more advanced MsInfo 32-bit (MSINFO32.EXE)
tool in Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/7/8/8.1/2012, also available in
Windows 98/98 SE(U)/ME.
In Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008/7/8/8.1/2012 you can also use the
SystemInfo.exe console command line tool to display/print a brief list of
system specs:
MS TechNet:
http://technet.microsoft.com/library/bb491007.aspx
Windows XP Documentation:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-
us/systeminfo.mspx
SS64:
http://www.ss64.com/nt/systeminfo.html
Computer Hope:
http://www.computerhope.com/systemin.htm

MSD v2.xx is found in your MS-DOS 6.00/6.20/6.21/6.22 directory (usually

C:\DOS or C:\MSDOS) or on your MS-DOS 6.xx SETUP [Full or Upgrade NOT
Step-Up!] floppies:
- MSD.EXE v2.01 = MS-DOS 6.00 Setup floppy diskette #1.
- MSD.EXE v2.11 = MS-DOS 6.20/6.21/6.22 Setup floppy diskette #2.
Older + BUGgy MSD versions come also with ALL Windows/WfWG 3.xx releases, and
are installed by default in %windir% (usually C:\WINDOWS).
Copy it from MS-DOS 6.xx SETUP floppy diskette (A:\) to your DOS directory
(C:\DOS or C:\MSDOS) if not already present (examples):
COPY/Y A:\MSD.EXE C:\DOS
or:
COPY/Y A:\MSD.EXE C:\MSDOS
Change drive letters and/or directory names if different on your computer.
MSD is NOT included with MS-DOS 5.00 or older.

MSD v2.1x is found on your Windows 95/98/ME Setup CD-ROM in:

- \TOOLS\OLDMSDOS [Win98, 98 SE(U) + ME] = MSD v2.14.
- \OTHER\MSD [Win95 retail, 95a OSR1 + 95B/95C OSR 2.x] = MSD v2.13.
You can also download these older MSD releases (free):
- MSD v2.11 also included with MS-DOS 6.22 [180 KB]:
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/softlib/mslfiles/GA0363.EXE
- MSD v2.13 also included with Windows 95/OSR1/OSR2 [176 KB]:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/win95upg/tool_n/1.0/W95/EN-US/msdzip.exe
- MSD v3.01 fixes memory + modem errors, autodetects sound cards, updated
CD-ROM + Video database [160 KB]:
ftp://ftp.sac.sk/sac/utildiag/msd301.zip
Microsoft removed the "OS Version" menu from MSD 2.13 + 2.14. If using older
MSD 2.02 - 2.11 or 3.0x: hit the (letter) O key at the main MSD screen to view
the MS-DOS stats.
Starting with version 2.13 MSD is capable of detecting PnP and AGP devices.
Newest [and *last* :(] MSD release is 2.14.
MSD.EXE is NOT installed by Windows 9x/ME Setup!
Copy MSD.EXE from your Win95/98/ME Setup CD-ROM (D:\TOOLS\OLDMSDOS) to your
hard drive into a directory/folder listed in your PATH (I recommend
%windir%\COMMAND, usually C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND) (example using Windows 98/98
SE(U)/ME Setup CD-ROM):
COPY/Y D:\TOOLS\OLDMSDOS\MSD.EXE %winbootdir%\COMMAND
or run it directly from the CD-ROM (see locations above):
MSD
from any DOS prompt.
Change drive letters and/or directory names if different on your computer.

First run MSD from native/real/true/pure MS-DOS outside Windows GUI:

- Windows/WfWG 3.1x users: by exiting Win3.1x to native MS-DOS mode.
- Windows 95/98/ME users: by selecting to boot with the "Command prompt only"
option from Windows Startup Menu:
http://www.mdgx.com/msdos.htm#MEN
to see what "hides" under your PC's "hood".
Play around with the MSD screens. You can also print/save to a file a full
report of your system configuration by running:
MSD /P drive:\path\FILENAME.TXT
Example:
MSD /P C:\MSD.TXT
All available parameters are displayed by running:
MSD /?
from any DOS prompt.

See MYPC.TXT (included) for my home built �ber-clocked PC hardware list:

http://www.mdgx.com/pc.htm#SP

JUST 4 FUN: See "MSD EASTER EGGS" in EGGS.TXT (included):

http://www.mdgx.com/egg.htm#MSDEGG

FALSE ALERT:
Certain devices/drivers/modules/TSRs, even some of the ones built into the OS
(internal) are not displayed by name, but by memory address [hex] or by
internal file naming, and therefore are not "understood" properly by MSD or
other DOS based diagnostics programs. Other TSRs (external) are just BUGgy
[poor programming :(] or the developer didn't bother or intentionally "forgot"
to include a name recognition function into their software. Also, MSD may not
"read" properly TSR modules written in a language other than the one installed
on your computer, especially if that particular language uses localized
(non-ASCII compliant) characters.
Either way, there is NOTHING wrong with your system, such programs will show
up on the MSD "TSR Programs" display (which can be brought up by pressing T at
the main MSD screen) as garble (example):

------------------------- TSR Programs -----------------------------

Program Name Address Size Command Line Parameters
------------ ------- ---- -----------------------
$&�<ar. D1BC 912 Block Device

Nonetheless, in such cases I STRONGLY suggest to use an up-to-date anti-virus

tool:
http://www.mdgx.com/vir.htm
to scan your computer's memory and ALL your drives for potential
"infestation", just to be safe!

MSD v3.01 brief report of my PC's "innards" follows...

These are my Windows 98 SE [a.k.a. MS-DOS 7.10] system hardware and OS
specs in native MS-DOS mode OUTSIDE Windows GUI using Microsoft HIMEM.SYS +
EMM386.EXE memory managers in CONFIG.SYS with ALL devices/drivers/TSRs
"crammed" in Upper Memory [see DOS9XMEM.TXT (included) for details]:

--------------------- Summary Information --------------------------

Computer: Award, Pentium III
Memory: 640K, 65472K Ext, 65535K XMS
Video: VGA, NVidia
Network: MS Client
OS Version: MS-DOS 7.10
Mouse: Logitech PS/2 Mouse, 7.05
Other Adapters: Game Adapter
Disk Drives: A: C: D: E: F: G: H: I:
LPT Ports: 1
COM Ports: 0
Windows Information: 4.10, Not Active

--------------------------- Computer -------------------------------

Computer Name: Award, Pentium III
BIOS Manufacturer: Award
BIOS Version: V1.0 Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Category: IBM PC/AT
BIOS ID Bytes: FC 01 00
BIOS Date: 12/26/01
Processor: Pentium III
Math Coprocessor: Internal
Keyboard: Enhanced
Bus Type: ISA/AT/Classic Bus
DMA Controller: Yes
Cascaded IRQ2: Yes
BIOS Data Segment: None

------------------------------- Memory -----------------------------

Legend: Available " " RAM "##" ROM "RR" Possibly Available ".."
EMS Page Frame "PP" Used UMBs "UU" Free UMBs "FF"
1024K FC00 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR FFFF Conventional Memory
F800 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR FBFF Total: 640K
F400 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR F7FF Available: 625K
960K F000 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR F3FF 640864 bytes
EC00 FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF EFFF
E800 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUFF EBFF Extended Memory
E400 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU E7FF Total: 64512K
896K E000 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU E3FF
DC00 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU DFFF MS-DOS Upper Memory Blocks
D800 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU DBFF Total UMBs: 122K
D400 PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP D7FF Total Free UMBs: 17K
832K D000 PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP D3FF Largest Free Block: 17K
CC00 PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP CFFF
C800 PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP CBFF Expanded Memory (EMS)
C400 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR C7FF LIM Version: 4.00
768K C000 RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR C3FF Page Frame Address: C800H
BC00 ################ BFFF Total: 33152K
B800 ################ BBFF Available: 32720K
B400 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUF B7FF
704K B000 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU B3FF XMS Information
AC00 AFFF XMS Version: 3.00
A800 ABFF Driver Version: 3.5f
A400 A7FF A20 Address Line: Enabled
640K A000 A3FF High Memory Area: In use
Available: 65535K
Largest Free Block: 65535K
Available SXMS: 214976K
Largest Free SXMS: 214976K

VCPI Information
VCPI Detected: Yes
Version: 1.00
Available Memory: 32720K

---------------------------- Video ---------------------------------

Video Adapter Type: VGA
Manufacturer: NVidia
Model: GeForce4
Display Type: VGA Color
Video Mode: 3
Number of Columns: 80
Number of Rows: 25
Video BIOS Version: Version 4.25.00.37.00
Video BIOS Date: 08/29/02
VESA Support Installed: Yes
VESA Version: 3.00
VESA OEM Name: NVidia
Secondary Adapter: None

-------------------------- OS Version ------------------------------

Operating System: MS-DOS 7.10
Internal Revision: 00
OEM Serial Number: FFH
User Serial Number: 000000H
OEM Version String: Windows 98. [Version 4.10.2222]
DOS Located in: HMA
Boot Drive: C:
Path to Program: C:\MAX\MSD.EXE
------------------------------- Mouse ------------------------------
Mouse Hardware: Logitech PS/2 Mouse
Driver Manufacturer: Microsoft
DOS Driver Type: IBM PS/2 Mouse
Driver File Type: .COM File
DOS Driver Version: 7.05
Mouse IRQ: 12
Number of Mouse Buttons: 3
Horizontal Sensitivity: 50
Mouse to Cursor Ratio: 1 : 1
Vertical Sensitivity: 50
Mouse to Cursor Ratio: 1 : 1
Threshold Speed: 0
Mouse Language: English
Path to MOUSE.INI: C:\MAX\MOUSE.INI

-------------------------- Other Adapters --------------------------

Game Adapter: Detected
Joystick A - X: 128
Y: 125
Button 1: On
Button 2: On
Joystick B - X: 129
Y: 142
Button 1: On
Button 2: On

-------------------------- Disk Drives -----------------------------

Drive Type Free Space Total Size
----- ------------------------------------ ---------- ----------
A: Floppy Drive, 3.5" 1.44M
80 Cylinders, 2 Heads
512 Bytes/Sector, 18 Sectors/Track
C: Fixed Disk, CMOS Type 47 800M 2039M
255 Cylinders, 255 Heads
512 Bytes/Sector, 63 Sectors/Track
CMOS Fixed Disk Parameters
700 Cylinders, 255 Heads
63 Sectors/Track
D: Fixed Disk, CMOS Type 47 2047M 2047M
1021 Cylinders, 255 Heads
512 Bytes/Sector, 63 Sectors/Track
E: Fixed Disk, CMOS Type 47 2047M 2047M
260 Cylinders, 255 Heads
512 Bytes/Sector, 63 Sectors/Track
CMOS Fixed Disk Parameters
1021 Cylinders, 255 Heads
63 Sectors/Track
F: Fixed Disk, CMOS Type 47 700M 2039M
184 Cylinders, 255 Heads
512 Bytes/Sector, 63 Sectors/Track
CMOS Fixed Disk Parameters
1021 Cylinders, 255 Heads
63 Sectors/Track
G: CD-ROM Drive
H: MS-RAMDRIVE 40M 40M
512 Bytes/Sector
I: CD-ROM Drive
MSCDEX Version 2.25 Installed
LASTDRIVE=J:

--------------------- Windows Information --------------------------

Windows version: 4.10
Windows mode: Not Active
Windows Directory: C:\WINDOWS
System Directory: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
Filename Size Date Time
---------------------------- ----------- ------- ----
MSMOUSE.VXD 15771 4/11/02 0:00

------------------------ IRQ Status --------------------------------

IRQ Address Description Detected Handled By
--- --------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------
0 DAEE:18DE Timer Click Yes Block Device
1 DAEE:198C Keyboard Yes Block Device
2 F000:EF6F Second 8259A Yes BIOS
3 F000:EF6F COM2: COM4: No BIOS
4 F000:EF6F COM1: COM3: No BIOS
5 F000:EF6F LPT2: No BIOS
6 F000:EF57 Floppy Disk Yes BIOS
7 0070:0465 LPT1: Yes System Area
8 F000:BB73 Real-Time Clock Yes BIOS
9 F000:ECF3 Redirected IRQ2 Yes BIOS
10 F000:EF6F (Reserved) BIOS
11 F000:EF6F (Reserved) BIOS
12 E636:158B (Reserved) Logitech PS/2 Mouse CTMOUSE.EXE
13 F000:F0FC Math Coprocessor Yes BIOS
14 F000:ED00 Fixed Disk Yes BIOS
15 C9CD:1023 (Reserved) DVDROM
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