Technical Note: 20031128006

DOS Workstations Memory Issue

(Maitre'D 2003)

Issue:

It is possible, depending on configuration, that a DOS workstation's available conventional memory may be insufficient when running Maitre'D 2003.

Note: This affects many manufacturers' DOS products.

Symptoms:

This can cause problems with workstation operations, going as far as freezing up, and with the proper functioning of peripheral devices, going as far as failure.

Resolution:

Dealers who have already upgraded locations using DOS workstations to Maitre'D 2003 should follow these steps to try to resolve this issue, until they can update to the latest Service Pack:

Note: Dealers who will be upgrading current locations using DOS workstations should first perform these tests on a demo system with the very same workstation's model before attempting to upgrade your customer's restaurant.
  1. Upgrade the restaurant's data to Maitre'D 2003 with the latest Service Pack.
  1. Redo all workstations' boot disks, and boot up all workstations with these new disks.
  1. Available memory on a DOS workstation can be read by typing 444 and [ENTER] at the server sign on screen. Perform this 444 memory test on the workstations to insure that your memory is above 22Kb.
  1. If memory is above 22Kb, you could upgrade the restaurant to Maitre'D 2003, but do keep in mind that if future Service Packs could use less memory, there is no guaranty that they will not need more memory instead.
  1. If memory is below 22 Kb, and these are SHARP DOS workstations, you might be able to resolve this issue by following the instructions found in the "Maitre'D 2003 with SHARP DOS workstations memory issue" document on the Maitre'D Knowledge base
  1. If available memory is below 22Kb, DO NOT upgrade that restaurant to Maitre'D 2003 with these DOS workstations. Consider updating to Windows XP Professional workstations, with Windows 2003 on the Maitre'D server instead.
Note: Maitre'D will not be able to resolve some of these issues with future Service Packs, as even Microsoft have dropped support of DOS along with Windows 95 and NT.