Computer Question - DTC

["Notagunzel" <notagunzel@bigfoot.com>]

DOS/4GW

What is it?

The other day I watched a QR driver restart his DTC computer, and after the
screed about testing memory blah blah, starting HIMEM it muttered something
about DOS/4GW protected mode or suchlike, before starting the DTC program.

For those who care, QR changed the database version on the DTC from V1.0.0
to V1.0.7 at 1500 on 28/11, this meant that each Driver when starting the
computer for the first time had to change the Database Version on the
computer.  This needed a 'password', (610 xxx xxx) which the train
controller must of muttered about 412 times on this day...

It did seen an unusual way to do things, but I gather that without the
correct version database, the startup codes given by the driver to the
controller would have been rejected by the office computer.

Several locos didn't have the V1.0.7 database installed, so they had to be
worked with manual forms.

I think the change had something to do with integrating GPS with the DTC
computer in the loco, AFAIK the GPS co-ordinates aren't sent back to
Control.  How is the GPS co-ords sent to the DTC computer? The only computer
I had a good look at was in a RM with no GPS.  Kinda narrows down which
service I travelled on doesn't it. |-)

I have seen the recent IRSE paper on all the QR computer systems, but it
didn't really get into the guts of the DTC system.

For those of you wondering what DTC is, think of it as ASW lite :-) (Using
laptop computers).

Hope someone out there has some answers, a visit to QR is highly recommended
for anyone from the southern states wanting to see a different way of doing
things.

--
Mr Notagunzel.
Rail Transportation Connoisseur, (except for those horrible MBLs)
notagunzel@bigfoot.com
(Regrets to announce there will be no further moves at
http://www.geocities.com/nota_gunzel until further notice is issued from
this office)