The PC-Kwik Power Pak (system enhancement utilities)
                         Copyright 1989 David Batterson


     There are many utility programs out there, both commercial and shareware,
to help speed up your system.  All of them work approximately the same, with
varying degrees of efficiency.  Some can be a bit tricky to implement.
     Multisoft Corp. has put together an impressive package of integrated
programs that not only provide high performance, but you don't have to be a
"techie" to install them and get up to speed.  That's what fun computing is all
about--increased productivity with less hassles.
     The PC-Kwik Power Pak incorporates five utility programs, designed to be
used with PCs, XTs, 286s and 386s.  The main program is Super PC-Kwik Disk
Accelerator, Version 3.08, a disk cache.  This program (which can be purchased
separately for $79.95 list price) features advanced disk reading/writing, and
can support a RAM-based disk cache up to 16 MB!
     Along with the cache are a print spooler, RAM-disk, screen accelerator and
keyboard accelerator.  Whether you use just one, or more of these, you can
achieve faster performance with your PC.
     A good indication this is a superior product is that top PC manufacturers
use Super PC-Kwik and other Multisoft programs.  I know that Art Lazere,
president of Northgate Computer Systems, sets high standards and does not
settle for anything less than excellence.  Northgate, along with AST Research,
ALR, Everex, Dell H-P, Iomega (Bernoulli boxes), Mitsubishi, Toshiba and many
others bundle the PC-Kwik technology with their products.
     Super PC-Kwik has a "smart" installation program which automatically
locates the cache in conventional, expanded or extended memory.  Super PC-Kwik
subsequently manages that RAM for the other Power Pak utilities.  It serves as
the RAM "director," parceling out RAM when and where needed.
     For instance, the PC-Kwik Print Spooler will borrow RAM while spooling
print data.  When printing is done, that RAM returns to the cache.  The same
process works with RAM disks.  They use the cache memory dynamically, grabbing
RAM as needed to store files; memory is returned to Super PC-Kwik when RAM
files are zapped.
     The PC-Kwik RAM Disk program creates RAM disks up to 16 megabytes.  A RAM
disk is particularly useful with programs like Lotus 1-2-3 or dBASE III, where
loading increased speed is desired.  It's also good for programs that make use
of a temporary file during processing, such as some DTP and graphics software.
     RAM disks and cache programs increase system quickness.  However, after
installing the PC-Kwik Screen Accelerator, you immediately get a visual
reference of increased velocity.  Do a DIR or TYPE, and watch the lines zip by!
Included is a scroll-back buffer called ReView.
     ReView borrows RAM from Super PC-Kwik; the default is 16K (four screens)
but this can be increased.  Using the cache's memory, ReView lets you see up to
4,000 previous screens.  Wow!
     Bear in mind that the Screen Accelerator affects text output only; it
won't increase output to the screen in graphics video mode.  Screen displays
will increase 30 to 100%; this can be adjusted if you find it TOO fast.
     Another speeder-upper is the Keyboard Accelerator.  It lets you set the
acceleration rate and the repeat rate--up to 100 characters per second (cps),
versus the usual DOS speed of nine cps.
     You can choose which keys you want to speed up.  Most users want faster
cursor keys, while using their word processor or spreadsheet programs.  But you
might also want to speed up the backspace, underline, delete and period, while
leaving the other keys alone.  Power Pak Keyboard Accelerator lets you do it.
     PC-Kwik Power Pak is designed for all users--from low-end, through
intermediate, to power users.  The latter will want to customize it for most
efficient use, as the number of options is amazing.
     Now if we just had a PC-Kwik Power Pak to plug into our brains, we would
really have something!  Maybe Multisoft will it ready by the year 2000!
     Super PC-Kwik requires 64K memory; EMS or extended memory is recommended
for top performance.  It supports LIM EMS (Lotus/Intel/Microsoft Expanded
Memory Specifications) 3.2 and 4.0.  Suggested list price is $129.95.
     For more information, contact Multisoft Corporation, 15100 S.W. Koll
Parkway, Suite L, Beaverton, OR  97006; 800-288-KWIK (sales), 503-644-5644,
FAX: 503-646-8267.
                                       #
     David Batterson says that you CAN be "too rich or too thin" but a PC
"can't be TOO quick."  Contact him speedily via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON