At
Post #478684 we wondered why loading fdconfig.sys shortens load times. I did some experiments, and here's something weird: running fdconfig.sys saves time
even if you say N to every line in it. In fact, saying N to every line starts the game 2 frames faster than saying Y to every line.
For reference, here are the 6 fdconfig.sys prompts:
dos=high[Y,n]?
lastdrive=z[Y,n]?
buffers=20[Y,n]?
files=40[Y,n]?
device=himem.exe[Y,n]?
shell=cmd80x86.com command.com /K autoexec.bat[Y,n]?
Here are the tests I ran. I tried enabling every line but the
autoexec.bat one. Each test took either 120 or 122 frames to show the title screen and start the game—if you
skip fdconfig.sys, it takes 129 frames. The
latest draft says Y to all and is slow at 122 frames. I've marked the slow rows with
*.
dos=high | lastdrive=z | buffers=20 | files=40 | device=himem | shell | finish config menu | title screen visible | game starts | |
Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | n | 66 | 144 | 188 | * |
n | n | n | n | n | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
Y | n | n | n | n | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
n | Y | n | n | n | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
n | n | Y | n | n | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
n | n | n | Y | n | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
n | n | n | n | Y | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
Y | Y | Y | Y | n | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
n | Y | Y | Y | Y | n | 66 | 143 | 186 | |
Y | n | n | n | Y | n | 66 | 144 | 188 | * |
Saying N to every line is fast. Saying Y to each line individually is fast. I didn't try all 32 possibilities, but it looks like you get the slow behavior when you say Y to
both dos=high and
device=himem.exe.
As for why loading fdconfig.sys and then not running any of it saves time, I have no idea. I looked inside fdconfig.sys and it doesn't contain any hidden commands other than what it prompts for. i only tested through the title screen—perhaps other differences would manifest later on.