Guru Guy's Vintage Computer Software Shop
Windows 3.x (3.0, 3.1, 3.11, for Workgroups)
If you’re a vintage computer collector in all things hardware and software, then these are great items to add into your collection / museum or simply for nostalgia!
Below are the following items for sale:
Windows 3.0
Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1 for Workgroups
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Released: 22nd May 1990
"Microsoft Windows graphical environment version 3.0 gives you the ability to work with all your applications within an exciting visual environment. Work the way you'd like to work - with ease and spontaneity. It's what personal computing is meant to be!"
Windows 3.0 succeeded Windows 2.1x and included a significantly revamped user interface as well as technical improvements to make better use of the memory management capabilities of Intel's 80286 and 80386 processors. Text-mode programs written for MS-DOS could be run within a window (a feature previously available in a more limited form with Windows/386 2.1), making the system usable as a crude multitasking base for legacy programs. However, this was of limited use for the home market, where most games and entertainment programs continued to require raw DOS access.
The Windows icons and graphics were redesigned to take advantage of VGA's 16-color mode. Earlier versions only supported eight colors though could run on monochrome video adapters. Windows 3.0 also allowed the user to use a 256 color video adapter, whereas previous versions only supported 16 colors.
Windows 3.0 was the last version of Windows to advertise 100% compatibility with older Windows real-mode applications.
Changes:
- Windows runs in protected mode -- direct extended memory access
- 386 enhanced mode virtual memory provides more memory than physically in RAM by swapping blocks of RAM to the hard drive.
- Color palette managed by Windows 3.0
- Device-independent color bitmap support
- Improved network support
- New dialog boxes, system fonts, and menus
- Graphical environment
- New HIMEM.SYS XMS (spec. 2.0) driver. 16 MB support
- EMM386.SYS expanded memory manager
- 32 printer drivers supporting 170 different printers - including HP LaserJet III series
- MS-DOS programs run in a window
- Three mode operation (real, standard, 386 enhanced).
- Icon-based Program Manager
- Tree-structured File Manager
- Asymetrix Daybook 1.0a bundled
System Requirements: Personal computer using the Intel 286, 386, (386 SX or 386 DX), or higher processor; 640K conventional memory (640K conventional and 256K extended memory recommended); One 3 1/2 (720K) disk and a hard disk; CGA, EGA, VGA, 8514/A, Hercules graphics card, or compatible video graphics adapter and monitor (EGA or higher recommended); MS-DOS or PC-DOS operating system version 3.1 or higher.
Condition Item is in used second hand condition, but considering its age this is very good. Contents Media (7 disks), User Guide, Application Reference List, Hardware Compatibility List, Software License. Price £69.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
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Microsoft Windows 3.1
Released: 6th April 1992Windows 3.1 (originally codenamed Janus, of which two betas were published), released on April, 1992, includes a TrueType font system (and a set of highly legible fonts already installed), which effectively made Windows a serious desktop publishing platform for the first time.
Windows 3.1 was designed to have backward compatibility with older Windows platforms. As with Windows 3.0, version 3.1 had File Manager and Program Manager, but unlike all previous versions, Windows 3.1 and later support 32-bit disk access, can't run in real mode, and included Minesweeper instead of Reversi (though Reversi was included in some copies).
A special version named Windows 3.1 for Central and Eastern Europe was released that allowed the use of Cyrillic and had fonts with diacritical marks characteristic of Central and Eastern European languages. Microsoft also released Windows 3.1J with support for the Japanese language, which shipped 1.46 million copies in its first year on the market (1993) in Japan.
Trivia: Windows 3.1 beta used infamously AARD code, a block of code in the Windows 3.1 installer to determine if it was being installed on MS-DOS or PC-DOS. The code ran several functional tests on the underlying DOS that succeeded on MS-DOS, but resulted in a technical support message on competing operating systems such as DR DOS. The name was derived from the initials of Microsoft programmer Aaron Reynolds, who used "AARD" to sign his work. ("AARD" was found in the machine code of the installer.) Microsoft disabled the AARD code for the final release of Windows 3.1. This later brought an anti-trust case against Microsoft by Caledera Systems who acquired Digital Research's DR-DOS.
Changes:
- Available in upgrade or full package (upgrade does not require earlier version);
- Improved Setup program offers express, custom, network, and troubleshooting setup;
- Computer-based Windows 3.1 tutorial;
- Consistent dialog boxes;
- Improved online Help;
- OLE Drag and drop, OLE support in many applications;
- Improved File Manager;
- Improved printer support through use of UNIdriver;
- New video drivers support MS-DOS graphics in a window;
- WD1003 virtual hard drive controller;
- Virtual memory changeable in Control Panel;
- Standard and enhanced mode operation only;
- TrueType scalable font support;
- Includes multimedia extensions (inclusions);
- Includes new SMARTDrive version 4.0, HIMEM XMS manager 3.0, new EMM386.EXE;
- Standard mode can now run with EMM386.EXE running;
- Documentation includes "Getting Started" manual;
- 266 different types of printers supported
System Requirements
Standard mode:
Enhanced mode:
- Intel 80286 (or higher) processor
- 1 MB or more of memory (640K conventional and 256K extended)
- 6.5 MB of free disk space (9 MB is recommended)
- Intel 80386 (or higher) processor
- 2 MB or more of memory (640K conventional and 1024K extended)
- 8 MB of of free disk space (10.5 MB is recommended)
Condition This is a complete original, unopened, sealed retail boxed edition of Windows. Packaged date 19/10/1992. Hard to believe this is nearly 17 years old now!!!!
Contents Media, Manuals, Booklets, Registration Card, License. Price £99.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now. ^ Back to top ^
Released: October 1992
Windows for Workgroups is an extension that allowed users to share their resources and to request those of others without a centralized authentication server. It used the SMB protocol over NetBIOS.
Windows for Workgroups 3.1 is an extended version of Windows 3.1 that comes with SMB file sharing support via the NetBIOS based NBF and/or IPX network transport protocols, includes the Hearts card game, and introduced VSHARE.386, the Virtual Device Driver version of the SHARE.EXE Terminate and Stay Resident program.
Windows 3.1 for workgroups Starter Kit including both 3.5" and 5.25" floppy disk media, manuals etc.
Condition This is a complete original, opened box but in very good condition. (Missing Network Cards).
Contents Media (3.5" and 5.25"), Manuals, License. MISSING: Network Cards that are meant to come with starter pack. Price £79.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now. ^ Back to top ^
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