See how much you know (basic computer Questions) A+ Level

[KMR Stitch]

In the Windows 9x CONFIG.SYS file, you find a command "Buffers=60". What is the effect of this command?

[gfx3]

I think that buffers have something to do with DOS related programs.
I used to have problems with a program that was written in the clipper programming language. It gave me a specific error, when looking up this error the solutions for it was to adjust the buffer size in the config.sys file of win98.

I set buffer size/speed to 145 and the program worked like a charm again.

You could have issues with buffer related stuff when you have installed win9x again (some program on your pc could not fuction well anymore after you reinstalled your OS) so adjusting buffer size in config.sys could solve your problem.

Here is some more info on buffers

A temporary storage area, usually in RAM. The purpose of most buffers is to act as a holding area, enabling the CPU to manipulate data before transferring it to a device.
Because the processes of reading and writing data to a disk are relatively slow, many programs keep track of data changes in a buffer and then copy the buffer to a disk. For example, word processors employ a buffer to keep track of changes to files. Then when you save the file, the word processor updates the disk file with the contents of the buffer. This is much more efficient than accessing the file on the disk each time you make a change to the file.

Note that because your changes are initially stored in a buffer, not on the disk, all of them will be lost if the computer fails during an editing session. For this reason, it is a good idea to save your file periodically. Most word processors automatically save files at regular intervals.

Buffers are commonly used when burning data onto a compact disc, where the data is transferred to the buffer before being written to the disc.

[Ohm]

A more basic question; Why in the fuck are you still running and/or installing any Windows 9x operating systems?

You should check out Microsoft.com - Rumor has it that XP is out.

[gfx3]

Buffer size 60 is rather small so I think that when you set buffer size to 60 your pc will update your temp info faster on your current and save it to your HD.
On the other hand when using such a small buffer size some of your software programs might have difficulties because the buffer size is rather small.

[gfx3]

A more basic question; Why in the fuck are you still running and/or installing any Windows 9x operating systems?

You should check out Microsoft.com - Rumor has it that XP is out.

Perhaps he has custom written software that was made for him several years ago and configured to work under win98 and for this reason he wants to keep win98 as an OS. It's not that obvious to make these older written progs (like accounting software that works under dos) who are still working well getting transferred under winxp without a problem.

[Kimo]

i know a bunch of people who still use win 98 and swear by it

[scottybuzz]

wowowoww im out of this thread quicker than you can say buckcheese

[soulswagon]

i know a bunch of people who still use win 98 and swear by it

I know people that still use dial up aol too.

[sarettah]

In the Windows 9x CONFIG.SYS file, you find a command "Buffers=60". What is the effect of this command?

In windows it has no effect. If you shell to dos it controls the number of buffers available to an application.

[soulswagon]

Oh the answer to the question... This command sets the disk buffers to 60 from the default of 2. Each additional buffer uses up 528 bytes of RAM. The additional memory consumption would be.... 30624 bytes. In DOS of course, Win98 this differently.

[KMR Stitch]

Answer

It creates 60 temporary holding areas for files.

expln:When the operating system reads from a disk, it stores the data that it read in buffers. A buffer is a section of memory that the operating system has reserved for this purpose. Each buffer is the size of one sector, usually 512 bytes. The operating system fills as many buffers as necessary to provide the data the program asks for. Then it passes the data to the program. This is often referred to as a disk cache because it improves system performance.

The command "buffers=60" tells the operating system how many buffers it should use. It will set aside space for 60 temporary holding areas for files.

[bknoob]