Guru Guy's Vintage Computer Software Shop
Windows 286 / 386 (available in Windows 2.0 and 2.1)
Windows 2.0, released in 1987, was a 16-bit Microsoft Windows graphical user interface-based operating environment that superseded Windows 1.0. Windows 2.0 was supplemented by Windows/286 and Windows/386 in 1988. Windows 2.0, Windows/286 and Windows/386 were then superseded by Windows 3.0 in May 1990. Windows 2.0, like its predecessors and successors, relied on DOS to operate since it was a DOS "Shell" rather than a complete independant OS like Windows NT.
Windows/286 (available as v2.03 and v2.1) took advantage of the improved processing speed of the Intel 286 processor, expanded memory, and inter-application communication capabilities made possible through Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE). With improved graphics support, users could now overlap windows, control screen layout, and use keyboard combinations to move rapidly through Windows operations. Many developers wrote their first Windows–based applications for this release.Windows 386, (which was available as Windows 2.03 and 2.1), took advantage of the protected mode and extended memory capabilities of the Intel 386 processor.
Guru Guy hopes most of this rare Retail Boxed software will end up in a well deserving Museum so curators please be in touch!
Below are the following items for sale:
Windows 286 Presentation Manager
Windows 386 Presentation Manager
Microsoft Windows 286 Presentation Manager
Released: 1988
Microsoft Windows 286 Presentation Manager is for personal computers using an Intel 80286 processor (IBM personal computer and compatibles).
Windows 286 takes advantage of the HMA to increase the memory available to Windows programs. It introduced the himem.sys DOS driver for this purpose. It also includes support for several EMS boards, although this support is not related to the 80286 processor.
Despite its name, Windows 286 was fully operational on an 8088 or 8086 processor. Windows 286 would simply not use the high memory area since none exist on an 8086-class processor; however, EMS could still be used, if present. A few PC vendors shipped Windows 286 with 8086 hardware; an example was IBM's PS/2 Model 25, which had an option to ship with a "DOS 4.00 and Windows kit" for educational markets, which included word processing and presentation software useful for students, which resulted in some confusion when purchasers of this system received a box labelled Windows 286 with a machine that was definitely less than an 80286.
System Requirements: 512K Memory, DOS 3.0 or higher, 1.2 disk drive and hard disk, Graphics adapter card (IBM EGA, IBM VGA, IBM 8514, IBM CGA, Hercules Graphics card, or compatibles).
This package even contains an older form for free 360K 5 ¼ disks.
Condition Item is new open box and never been used. Contents Windows 286 (version 2.1) Media in pouch, User Guide, Questions & Answers, Miscellaneous Leaflets. Price £99.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now.
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Microsoft Windows 386 Presentation Manager
Released: 1988
Microsoft Windows 386 Presentation Manager, version 2.1, for Intel 80386 Processor . (C) Copyright date: 1987.
Windows 386, (which was available as Windows 2.03 and 2.1), took advantage of the protected mode and extended memory capabilities of the Intel 386 processor.
Windows 386 is much more advanced. It introduced a protected mode kernel, above which the GUI and applications run as a virtual 8086 mode task. It allows several MS-DOS programs to run in parallel in "virtual 8086" CPU mode, rather than always suspending background applications. (Windows applications could already run in parallel through cooperative multitasking.) Each DOS application can use as much low memory as is available before Windows is started, minus a few kilobytes of overhead. Windows/386 also provides EMS emulation, using the memory management features of the 80386 to make RAM beyond 640K behave like the banked memory previously only supplied by add-in cards and used by popular DOS applications.
Neither of these versions work with DOS memory managers like CEMM or QEMM or with DOS extenders, which have their own extended memory management and run in protected mode as well. This was remedied in version 3.0, which is compatible with VCPI in "standard mode" and with DPMI in "386 enhanced" mode.
System Requirements: 640K conventional memory (640K conventional and 256K extended memory recommended); One 5 1/4 inch disk drive and a hard disk; CGA, EGA, VGA, 8514/A, Hercules graphics card or compatibles.
Condition All in very good condition. Floppy disks untested but should work just fine. Contents Windows 386 (version 2.1) Media (3x 5.25) with license agreement, User Guide, Quick Reference Guide, Registration form. Price £89.99 + Postage; Contact to buy now. ^ Back to top ^
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