Hi! >> Yes! The good news is that newer FreeDOS kernels even have a simple >> version built into the kernel itself. [..] > > Good news! Well, I should have googling for "FreeDOS idle CPU", > instead of "DOS idle CPU". ;)
:-) >> However, the normal way to let the CPU idle while DOS is idle is to >> load a suitable driver or TSR. In MS DOS you would use POWER but in >> FreeDOS you use the similar FDAPM tool. To load and activate it, run >> >> FDAPM APMDOS That will work on any DOS hardware, but of course it makes more difference on more energy-hungry CPU. >> PS: You can also use FDAPM to ACPI throttle your CPU if your board >> supports that. [..] Probably only with Pentium II / AMD K6 and newer. But then 386s had a turbo button for the same ;-) > I want to replace a DOS installation on quite old computer - it is > 386SX25 - which I'm keeping around just because it's s.c. "booksize Still nice to save some energy with little work :-) > PC". It has no ACPI, not even APM. I understand, that the FDAPM is > most recommended method, but - from the other side - using this very > old computer only the kernel built-in method will work? Am I right? FDAPM automatically detects whether you have APM or ACPI support. On your computer, it will only set the CPU to "halt" (like the kernel idlehalt feature) but will do so more often than the kernel feature, as it turns more cases of "busy wait" into "halt wait" :-) Because you have no ACPI, the FDAPM SPEEDn (n = 1-9) function will have no effect so you cannot throttle. Also, because you have no PCI, the PCISLEEP tool is not available on your PC to do standby and suspend related things or show a list of extension cards. If you have ISA PnP extension cards - there is an Intel ISA PnP manager that you could download but it is a bit bloated in size and ISA does not have standby or suspend features anyway, just a config. Eric PS: Please mail if you find apps that need a 486+. Of course PCISLEEP / UIDE / UMBPCI would need PCI. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Colocation vs. Managed Hosting A question and answer guide to determining the best fit for your organization - today and in the future. http://p.sf.net/sfu/internap-sfd2d _______________________________________________ Freedos-user mailing list Freedos-user@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/freedos-user
