Windows 3.0 build 55 is a pre-release version of the Windows 3.0 that was shipped to testers in January 1990, as a demonstration of the upcoming version of Windows.
At this point, the product was nearly finished in terms of features and overall usability, and aside from major memory improvements over Windows 2.x, would also include a completely redesigned graphical user interface, namely the Program and File Manager to replace the MS-DOS Executive seen in previous versions of Windows.
A personal computer magazine, InfoWorld, has a full article demonstrating a version of Microsoft Windows 3.0 from this time period in an issue from January 1990.
This version should be installed on a machine running Microsoft MS-DOS 4.0, IBM DOS 4.0, or Compaq DOS 3.31 in order to take advantage of the new features available in this version of Windows.
Modes of operation
NOTE: These modes reflect the changes in memory management from previous versions of Windows.
Real Mode: This mode should be used for compatibility with applications designed for earlier versions of Windows that cannot run well in protected mode (Standard and 386 Enhanced Mode).
Standard Mode: This mode is designed for use with personal computers with 80286 processors and 16-bit-only 80386 processors with 1 MB of RAM or more.
386 Enhanced Mode: This mode is designed for use with personal computers with 80386 processors (excluding 16-bit-only models) with 1 MB of RAM or more. While Windows/386 2.x provided the capability to run each MS-DOS application in separate V86 boxes, protected mode features were still not available to Windows-based applications, whereas Microsoft Windows 3.0 now runs completely in protected mode while in either Standard or 386 Enhanced Mode. This mode also supports the use of 386 device drivers (with the file extension .386).
Notes
Version numbers shown in About dialogs
- Write shows Version 3.0 Beta 1.55.
- Terminal shows Terminal 3.20, Beta-Release 01/02/90.
- Calculator shows Version 3.00.16.
- Windows Setup shows WinSetup Version 3.00.137.
- Swapfile has a hidden About dialog box which can be seen when examined in a hex editor, showing WinSpart Version 3.00.139.
Version 3.00.14
WINOLDAP.MOD of this build has a version string of "3.00.14.20jan89", shortly prior to an earlier pre-release version 3.00.14 dated February 22, 1989.
Paintbrush beta release warnings
Paintbrush contains the following warnings in this pre-release version of Microsoft Windows 3.0:
Beta Warning Multiple instances of Paintbrush are disabled (beta release only) for your protection. This instance will be terminated. Beta Warning Paintbrush is disabled under real mode EMS systems (beta release only) for your protection. This instance will be terminated. Beta Warning Paintbrush does not deal with low memory situations well in this beta release. To avoid losing work, run Paintbrush under 286 or 386 protected mode. This is the only time that you will receive this warning. Beta Warning There is a known bug in Paintbrush that can cause the contents of overlapping windows to be placed in your drawing. For this reason it is not recommended to bring up other applications on top of the Paintbrush window. This is only a problem for the beta release. This is the only time that you will receive this warning.
Windows Help
This pre-release version includes Windows Help version 3.00.2000. It may also occasionally crash with a Divide by Zero error due to faults in the pre-release code.
