Epson 386 Personal Computer User Manual


 
The Equity 386 offers a shadow RAM feature which lets you speed up
processing by moving the ROM BIOS and VIDEO ROM into the
RAM area of memory. When the ROM data is in RAM, the
computer can access information and display text and graphics on the
screen faster.
Your computer comes with version 3.3 of MS-DOS®-the operating
system by Microsoft@-and version 3.2 of the GW-BASIC®
programming language. You’ll find reference manuals for both
MS-DOS and GW-BASIC packed in the box with the computer. You
probably also purchased other software; you can use virtually any
application program designed for the IBM PC, PC XT, PC AT, and
386 machines on your Equity 386.
As a supplement to MS-DOS, Epson has included several time-saving
utilities that make MS-DOS easier to use: HELP MENU, and
XTREE®. The HELP program lets you display information on the
screen about any MS-DOS command. MENU provides an easier way
to run many of the most common MS-DOS commands. XTREE is a
file management utility that simplifies all file and directory operations.
MS-DOS is not the only operating system you can use with your
computer. If you have a hard disk, for example, you also may want
to use the more powerful MS® OS/2. Among other capabilities,
MS OS/2 provides multitasking, dual mode processing, and online
help. With Epson’s version of MS OS/2, you can have both
MS-DOS and MS OS/2 on your Equity 386; this way, you can select
which operating system to load each time you turn on the computer.
Ask your Epson dealer for more information. (In particular, be sure to
check the amount of RAM required to run MS OS/2.)
How to Use This Manual
This manual explains how to set up and care for your Equity 386. It
also describes how to use your computer and run diagnostic checks.
You probably do not need to read everything in this book; see the
following chapter summaries.
2 Introduction