Memory Testing
New versions of computer software are requiring more memory and are placing higher demands on that system memory. All computer programs use memory (even your backup program) and this memory cannot fail or problems may occur. Manufacturers of some new PC systems have now eliminated parity checking technology which has been the PC's only way of detecting memory failure. Therefore, if memory fails, you may only notice that the system has "hung" or "crashed" and your work is lost, but you are never really sure that memory failure was the culprit. Memory testing can help detect potential failures and find problems before important work is lost.

Qualitas offers a new product called RAMexam [$29.95] which tests system memory. This program comes on a single diskette, installs easily and takes about a third of a megabyte of hard disk space. It can be configured to perform quick memory testing, using a few simple tests, automatically upon system boot (via the AUTOEXEC.BAT) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

More exhaustive memory tests, which can take hours, can be run manually. RAMexam uses some very sophisticated methods to find potential memory failures which are much more effective than the built-in memory tests which are run when a PC is powered up or available with simple diagnostic programs. It's compatible with DOS 6 Multiconfig and several memory managers including Qualitas' own 386MAX, Quarterdeck's QEMM and Helix Software's NetRoom. It runs on any 386, 486 or Pentium based personal computer system running DOS 3.3 or above.

Learning to play the Piano
For multimedia developers on a budget who want to enter sheet music or simply want to learn how to play a piano, there is a new software program by Musicware simply called Piano. It's a program which harnesses the power of your 386 and above personal computer to help teach you, interactively, to play a complete song. It is roughly equivalent to a first year piano course.

I was inspired by several of the MIDI piano demonstrations that I recently saw and I am personally setting up this program with the required MIDI keyboard and a MIDI compatible sound card.

Copyright © 1994 Rick Smith All rights reserved.