DOS

[Baffled]

I want to run DOS.Ver.6.1 on new (or fairly new) hardware, don't need graphics, sound, Win, Internet conn, not even a printer....Questions are - will Dos.V.6 recognise USB ports (must have digital output) and are USB port drivers available to run under DOS - should I be thinking of DOS.Ver.7 instead???....(DOS.Ver.6 is my preferred OS)

[TazUk]

Nope DOS 6.x won't recognise the USB ports

[Baffled]

Thanks for yr response which matched with my opinion.... Might have to find processor which will run DOS and try fitting additional "old fashioned" 25-pin ports....Haere ra.

[TazUk]

What are you planning to do with it?

[Baffled]

Thanks for your interest....I have a fairly large display of HO gauge model trains which are pc controlled with a display of track/signal status & unit location....The various states are detected by light, infra-red and/or proximity switches and up to 20 units are controlled at any time....This system has been built up over more years than I care to mention....Now I want to expand the system....Programming languages are Assembler and lately (retro step) QBasic.4.5....The current processor is a 486DX which I think is only just keeping up....Seems daft that an elderly person would play with trains but we can't all be perfect....It's even dafter to stay with DOS/Ass'y/QB but not enough time to master Windows\Borland C++....Am also toying with the idea of using the 486 as a "front end processor" to handle all the mundane switching routines and a more modern pc to handle the display graphics etc....But that's a different tack....Whatever you are doing - have fun!!

[TazUk]

A mini-ITX system might be just what you need

In case your not familiar with these I'll explain a little, the ITX form factor was developed by VIA for ultra small PC's using integrated motherboards. As well as the usuall video, sound, etc they also have the processor integrated, being a VIA solution these are currently their C3 processors. The benefit of the C3 are they have low power cosumption which in turn means low heat which is necessary as the cases don't tend to have much room for cooling. The C3 processor isn't as powerful as the Intel and AMD equivelents but sufficiant for the type of appications these PC's are used for which is normally as part of an AV system for playing back DVD's, SVCD's etc.

Judging by what your using the PC for it would be much faster than the 486 your currently using but not over the top like a P4 or Athlon XP would be.

For more info on these systems as well as prices for the parts pop over to this site :-

http://www.mini-itx.com

As far as programming is concerned have a look at Borland Delphi, it should allow you to do what you want without the steep learning curve of something like C++.

[Baffled]