Microsoft KB Archive/70499

Unloading SideKick when Using MS-DOS Version 4.x Shell PSS ID Number: Q70499 Article last modified on 02-08-1993 PSS database name: O_MSDOS

4.00 4.01

MS-DOS

Question:

I use Borland’s SideKick version 2.0 and have recently upgraded to MS-DOS version 4.01. Whenever I run the MS-DOS Shell, I can’t unload SideKick because SideKick isn’t the last program in memory. I exit the Shell by pressing F3. Does the MS-DOS Shell remain in memory?

Response:

The MS-DOS Shell is actually two programs: SHELLB.COM and SHELLC.EXE, loaded by DOSSHELL.BAT. SHELLB.COM is a terminate-and-stay-resident program (like SideKick) and will remain in memory until you reboot.

To unload SideKick and use the MS-DOS Shell, SHELLB must be loaded before SideKick. This can be done two different ways:

  If you prefer that SideKick and the MS-DOS Shell both begin at bootup, modify the AUTOEXEC.BAT file so that SHELLB will be loaded before SideKick. Place the following command in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file before the line that loads SideKick: SHELLB DOSSHELL   If you prefer to load SideKick and/or the MS-DOS Shell from the MS-DOS command line, either run and exit from the MS-DOS Shell before loading SideKick, or enter the following command before you load SideKick: SHELLB DOSSHELL 

The MS-DOS Shell in MS-DOS version 5.0 is only resident until the Shell is exited. The MS-DOS version 5.0 Shell is exited by choosing the Exit option from the File menu, or using the  or  hotkeys.

Additional reference words: 4.00 4.01 noupd

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.