Obscure Question: On an older Optiplex 433/L system running DOS6.22, Microsoft Word for DOS works fast and scrolls fast. On two newer systems, including an Optiplex 5166 with Win98 version of DOS (i.e., DOS prompt, no Win98 GUI, no nothing except command.com but "ver" says Windows 98, MS Word for DOS works very fast except for the scrollng, which is SLOWER than the older system. I thought it might be some OS overhead or something - the video hardware is at least as good, just as much - I'm completely mystified - ("cursor speed" option is set to max, I don't think there's anything else in the Word program to tweak) - everyhing workd perfect except the scrolling is moderate speed instead of blazingly fast as it is on the older system. Would replacing the Win98 DOS with DOS 6.22. do anything??? Anyone know anything about these dinosaurs? TIA

The reason that the scrolling speed changes is because programs in the old days were designed to just plain do whatever it was you wanted. If you press and hold backspace, it will go insanely fast because new computers can handle a lot more than old computers could. These days, programs usually won't go over a specific speed limit. They may go slow, but never extremely fast. The problem can only be solved by freeing up more space. Since Windows 98 takes up more resources, it is going slower. If you install DOS 6.22, it would probably go faster because it takes less resources.