Computer Requirements for DOS RSS - HT1000/MT2000

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Jhadds
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Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:53 pm

Computer Requirements for DOS RSS - HT1000/MT2000

Post by Jhadds »

I have a PII 733 that I would like to use to program my HT1000's and MT2000's - This computer is ONLY running DOS 6.2 -- Will this computer be too fast? I have heard that problems can occur and damage the radio in which it might have to make a trip back to motorola. If my computer is too fast can someone let me know what the Fastest CPU I can use to run RSS for these radios so I can begin my search on ebay. It's hard to find anything slower than a PI 133Mhz on ebay.

Thanks
J. Hadden - FDNY Disp. 709
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kb8ukl
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Post by kb8ukl »

I use a PII 733 with no problems at all.
SFD_Radio
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Post by SFD_Radio »

You can use as fast of a computer as you like. My agency uses 2 Panasonic Toughbook CF-29's that are P-4 1.6 GHz. We set them up for dual boot. That is, after formatting the hard drive, we installed DOS on the first partition and then installed Win XP on a new partition made on the remaining space.

There is this great myth perpetuated about the computer's clock speed. As a general rule, DOS-based RSS can't be used on Win2k or WinXP. The reason has nothing to do with speed. It has to do with how the computer's memory is used.

DOS uses memory differently from 2k and XP. Most DOS programs will work on Win 95, 98, and ME. That is because they are built on a platform of DOS 7.0, while 2k and XP are built on a Windows NT platform that is not DOS-based.

By installing both operating systems on one computer, I am able to boot into DOS and, therefore, run RSS because the DOS 6.2 I'm running uses the memory in the way the RSS needs.

Look, it is all very simple. If you were to consult the directions that come with any original package of RSS from Motorola, it tells you certain commands that need to be in your DOS "config.sys" file. The most important one is "EMM386.EXE". This is the DOS memory manager. If you install and run DOS 6.2 or later, it will automatically setup with EMM386.

I made a short story long, but know you know what to do and you are well informed about the reality of running RSS based upon the manufacturer's recommendation. (Incidentally, Motorola only specifies a MINIMUM configuration to run RSS, not a maximum!)

If you continue to have a problem, you can send me a message.
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wavetar
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Post by wavetar »

SFD_Radio wrote:You can use as fast of a computer as you like. My agency uses 2 Panasonic Toughbook CF-29's that are P-4 1.6 GHz. We set them up for dual boot. That is, after formatting the hard drive, we installed DOS on the first partition and then installed Win XP on a new partition made on the remaining space.

There is this great myth perpetuated about the computer's clock speed. As a general rule, DOS-based RSS can't be used on Win2k or WinXP. The reason has nothing to do with speed. It has to do with how the computer's memory is used.

DOS uses memory differently from 2k and XP. Most DOS programs will work on Win 95, 98, and ME. That is because they are built on a platform of DOS 7.0, while 2k and XP are built on a Windows NT platform that is not DOS-based.

By installing both operating systems on one computer, I am able to boot into DOS and, therefore, run RSS because the DOS 6.2 I'm running uses the memory in the way the RSS needs.

Look, it is all very simple. If you were to consult the directions that come with any original package of RSS from Motorola, it tells you certain commands that need to be in your DOS "config.sys" file. The most important one is "EMM386.EXE". This is the DOS memory manager. If you install and run DOS 6.2 or later, it will automatically setup with EMM386.

I made a short story long, but know you know what to do and you are well informed about the reality of running RSS based upon the manufacturer's recommendation. (Incidentally, Motorola only specifies a MINIMUM configuration to run RSS, not a maximum!)

If you continue to have a problem, you can send me a message.
Much of the above is true, however there are older DOS RSS packages which are reliant on processor clock speed for timing. For instance, MCX1000 RSS, and any HT600 RSS older than version B02.03.02. There is a Motorola Pentium Compatibility Matrix which details exactly which RSS packages can be reasonably expected to work with more modern computers, located in a sticky thread at the top of this forum.

Even if it appears in the Matrix, you may still run into issues. For instance, HT600 version B02.03.02 reads/writes radios perfectly well on my 1.7GHz Celeron laptop. However, it simply cannot read/write radios on my co-workers 1.3GHz Centrino based laptop. So, there are hardware issues to consider.

Todd
No trees were harmed in the posting of this message...however an extraordinarily large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.

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