How can I run DOS apps. full screen in Win-XP??

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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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We use two DOS applciations that ran with no problem under Win-98SE. However, when I attempt to operate those programs in "full screen" mode under Win-XP, the programs lock-up completely. They run perfectly in window mode, but the window is only approx. 1/4th the area of my screen and cannot be resized. I have activated full screen in the properties of the short cut to these programs and the full screen option under Display Options in the Defaults accessed through the title bar when the programs run in window mode and the full screen option under Display Options in the Properties accessed through the title bar when the programs run in window mode. Has anyone had similar problems and solved them? Any suggestions are appreciated!:disgust:
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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Alt-enter will bring the program up to full screen - but it locks-up the app. When I switch from full screen to window mode, it remains locked up and I have to use Task Manager to close the app. Any other thoughts?
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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Bumpy^ . . . Does anyone have any thoughts on this problem? Thanks.
 
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NiPeng

Senior member
Jul 17, 2001
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What happens when you start it in full screen mode instead of switching it to full screen later? Check the properties of the shortcut/pif.
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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NiPeng, I have the same problem (program freeze) when started by a shortcut in full screen mode or if started in window mode and then switched to full screen. Thanks!
 
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GregMal

Golden Member
Oct 14, 1999
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I'm not currently using XP, but I read something about "compatibility mode"
where you can tell XP to run the program as if it's running DOS...........
Is this a possibility?
Greg
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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The only instance of "compatibility mode" I've seen is in the properties of shortcuts. The choices are Win-95, Win-98\ME, Win-NT 4.0, Win-2000. No option for DOS compatibility. I've changed this setting from Win-95 to Win-98\ME with no success. Thanks. Any other thoughts out there? ? ? :confused:
 
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NiPeng

Senior member
Jul 17, 2001
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This sounds silly but you tried running the app as admin?
Maybe the users aren't allowed to switch resolution in XP (just guessing...).
 
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GregMal

Golden Member
Oct 14, 1999
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Create a startup DOS floppy. Boot to it. Run your DOS programs.
Reboot to Windows??????
Greg
 
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GregMal

Golden Member
Oct 14, 1999
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Can't you (in explorer) right click on the DOS executable file
(?.exe) and select a compatibility mode also???
Greg
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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NiPeng, You may have found the fix! I only have XP loaded on my home PC at this time. I will give this a try tonight and report the results to this thread. Thanks for your assistance! :)
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
279
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NiPeng. . . Sorry, but, using FORCEDOS did not help. Actually, it causes a worse situation: when the program is loaded by FORCEDOS it locks up and is displayed only on the top half of the screen. Please consider this: The DOS programs will run either from RUN or a shortcut in window mode, it is when I go to full screen mode that the problems appear. Could this be a display issue caused by my video driver? Thanks!
 
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NiPeng

Senior member
Jul 17, 2001
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A long time ago I had some videodrivers causing problems with certain programs but this is more w3.11/95'ish.
 
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Abzstrak

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2000
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I've tried some other DOS apps with no problems... WHAT program(s) are you using that do not work? name, manufacturer, any and everything U can tell us might help.
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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The DOS apps. I'm having problems with (the only two I've tried on Win-XP) are Labels Unlimited 3.0 (published in 1990 by Power Up! Software) and a proprietary application which consists of the parts catalog of a supplier which is updated daily by e-mail file attachment. I do not know which database it is based on. Seems odd that both applications have the same problem. Thanks for your interest in my problem!
 
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Abzstrak

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2000
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ok, looked up some stuff on labels unlimited, and it says it is 100% compatible with NT4 and 2000 which means it should run perfectly in XP. Also, it doesn't look like that program does anything that MS word cannot do, have you tried using word for your labels? Not to mention this is a $10 program, so its not really worth your or your companies time to figure out why it doesn't work... U might want to spend you time seeking a win32 app that does the same stuff.

At any rate, I think that the problem is not stemming from these dos apps, rather from something else in your config that doesn't want to run these apps in full screen mode.

I do have a few ideas though, trying opening both a cmd and a command prompt (just hit start/run and cmd for a cmd prompt, or type command for a command prompt). cmd is 32bit while command is 16bit. in each window try running these apps manually and see if both windows behave the same (when switching to full screen). They should both act the same, but if not we can narrow the problem down alittle.

Also, try open a cmd prompt and running edit, which is MS dos editor. Try switching this program back and forth to full screen mode and see if it works.

 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
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Abzstrak, I'm really surprised that information regarding Labels Unlimited 3.0 (DOS version) is available anywhere. This program has probably been out of print over 10 years. Anyway, the reason it is so important is that it is simple and does the job without all the baggage associated with Windows labeling programs. One reason we like Labels 3.0 is its feature of listing all labels in a file by a description of each label. This is important in that we use the program primarily to print price labels for a retail operation. The other application, our supplier's catalog, is not available in a Windows version. I will try your suggestions tomorrow and report on my success or lack of. Thanks!
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
279
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Alas, I tried every combination of running Labels 3 from both a command and cmd prompt, using both default and properties settings to bring up to full screen mode. Under all combinations using full screen mode the programs continued to lock up. To determine if other DOS programs had similar problems I ran the MS dos editor program - it also locked up in full screen mode in all combinations. I do not know if this helps, but when I click on the maxamize\minimize button in window mode, the program window moves to the upper left corner of the screen; it does not change size. This seems like a lost cause! Thanks for your assistance.
 
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WJB05

Senior member
Jan 31, 2000
279
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Sorry to be such a pain about this . . . it is really important to us. Does anyone have any ideas? These DOS programs will run in window mode but not full screen. Could this be a simple option that needs to be turned on or off? :disgust::( Thanks!
 
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Abzstrak

Platinum Member
Mar 11, 2000
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ok, since msdos editor does it as well, then my hunch was correct that the problem is not with the applications. My guess is that it is with a driver in windows, possibly video? or maybe a corrupt font file somewhere.... have you tried updating the video drivers? what other apps/utils have you installed on XP since the initial install? I guess it could be mouse drivers too... have you tried updating or changing the mouse drivers?

Also, the all importnant question.... you did install XP from scratch right? You didn't upgrade win98 to XP did U?

Also, can we have a run down on all your hardware you have installed?
 
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