                            QEMM Version 7.5
                     Reviewed by William M Frazier

    Who needs a memory manager?  Heck, you get MemMaker free with MS-DOS
V6, so why would you want to buy one?  Most programs will run without a
problem on most PCs. If you work exclusively in the Windows environment,
you may never have a problem. I didn't, until I recently started using
my computer for gaming, um..., I mean entertainment. Then it happened.
"Out Of Memory Error!"  Huh?  Device drivers were sucking up my
conventional memory. Even after using MemMaker I only had 542K of free
conventional memo . The solution is simple enough. Make a floppy boot
disk with a minimum configuration, or set up multiple boot programs if
you are using MS-DOS V6. But I knew there must be a better way. The
better way turns out to be QEMM, now in Version 7.5.
    Installing QEMM is now easier than ever. It installs from both DOS
and Windows. That's right, QEMM now has a Windows install routine. It
also has a Windows specific version of Manifest and QSETUP. I installed
QEMM from Windows to a somewhat loaded 486DX with 8 Megs of RAM. The
install command is the same in DOS or Windows, A:\Install. I chose the
express installation, and unless you're an expert in PC memory
management, I would suggest you do the same. After feeding two disks to
my machine, and watching reboot itself 3 or 4 times, QEMM reported that
it had optimized my start up files, saving me 80K of conventional
memory. I went to DOS and ran the Mem command. Sure enough I now had
627K of free conventional memory.
    QEMM comes with better than average documentation. An Installation
Guide includes all the information most users will need to get QEMM up
and running. Another small booklet details the operation of the Manifest
program, Quarterdeck's system reporting and diagnostic utility. The QEMM
Reference Manual is a 220 page book that is capable of teaching most
users just about everything they will ever want to know about memory
architecture and management in a DOS environment.
    In addition to Windows support, Version 7.5 includes a number of
additional enhancements over previous versions of QEMM. Enhanced support
for the popular Stacker disk compression program now saves Stacker 4.0
users an addition 8K to 32K of conventional memory. The QuickBoot
routine speeds up the three fingered salute. At present, QEMM is the
only memory manager that detects and automatically uses the memory
addresses of PCMCIA cards. Possibly most important, QEMM has been
modified to use a 32-bit flat m ry model.
    Installation problems are a very real possibility when dealing with
the infinite variations of PC, peripheral, and software combinations
available in today's market. To respond to this problem, QuarterDeck
provides a number of support options. At the bottom level are the
manuals and program help files. The distribution disks also contain
White Papers and Technotes discussing hardware and software
compatibility issues. If you can't find the answer there, your can call
Quarterdeck's Q/FAX system. This fax k system is accessed via a toll
free 800 number. Quarterdeck also operates a BBS system where you can
contact tech support personnel and also download the latest patch files.
You can contact Quarterdeck on the Internet, CompuServe, BIX, Fidonet,
MCI Mail, and SmartNet. If you are still stuck, Quarterdeck provides 90
days of free (but not toll free) telephone support. After your free
telephone support expires, Quarterdeck offers VIP paid support plans.
    Although most people buy QEMM for it's memory management
capabilities, Quarterdeck also includes Manifest, a system reporting and
diagnostic utility. If you have ever installed a new peripheral to your
system and then suffered DMA or IRQ conflicts, you know how valuable a
program like Manifest can be. Manifest can give you a complete overview
of your systems memory usage. It also reports on which system IRQs are
in use and those that are free. If you are installing a new CD-ROM or
sound card, this infor ion can make the difference between a simple
installation and a nightmare.
    Well, QEMM is now installed, up, and running. I now have 627K of
free conventional memory. So what?  Well, my games now run without
booting the machine from a special floppy boot disk. Whenever I get
tired of doing 'real' work on the computer, I can switch directly to my
favorite game and enhance my motor skills. QEMM is a great product and
solves a number of problems, but don't throw away that floppy boot disk.
While QEMM works in most cases, some programs can still give it fits.
Historically, game software pushes the limits of programming tricks and
techniques. Every now and then you will find one that baffles QEMM,
making that old floppy boot disk a must have item.

                       Quarterdeck Office Systems
                           150 Pico Boulevard
                     Santa Monica, California 90405
                             (310)-392-9851

Send your postal name, address, city, state, zip to 28prod@supportu.com
       for product literature to be sent to you via postal mail.
