**Accessing an old Dos-Shell .bat/,pif file through XP Pro or Home

[Guest]

We are in a medical office with "antiquated" equipment. The 3 existing computers run on Win 95 (1) and 98 (2). Our basic practice management software runs on a DOS shell and is set-up on the main computer and easily accessed on our simple, hub-based, network.
We have now brought in 3 new computers that all run on XP Pro or XP Home. When plugged into the network, they can see the "main" computer with our PM software, its drive, folder, etc. But when we attempt to create a shortcut to the program on any of the new computers, we either get a ".pif file error," or a less than full black window appears momentarily (which is how the PM program begins on the 3 old computers), but then, the program does not load and the black window quickly disappears; too quickly to be able to read the DOS-style message that appears in that black window
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Stev

 

[Squire]

Are your new computers formatted in NTFS ?
If so,
The older ones formatted in FAT32 cannot read the new NTFS formatted file
system.

We are in a medical office with "antiquated" equipment. The 3 existing

computers run on Win 95 (1) and 98 (2). Our basic practice management
software runs on a DOS shell and is set-up on the main computer and easily
accessed on our simple, hub-based, network.

We have now brought in 3 new computers that all run on XP Pro or XP Home.

When plugged into the network, they can see the "main" computer with our PM
software, its drive, folder, etc. But when we attempt to create a shortcut
to the program on any of the new computers, we either get a ".pif file
error," or a less than full black window appears momentarily (which is how
the PM program begins on the 3 old computers), but then, the program does
not load and the black window quickly disappears; too quickly to be able to
read the DOS-style message that appears in that black window.

 

[Guest]

Squire
First, thanks for the quick reply. Yes, the new ones all have Win XP Pro & Home, using the NTFS system. Thus, I take your answer to mean that since the office management program resides on an older computer running Windows 98SE and its inherent FAT32 system, the new units cannot read off the old format
Thanks

RSMAG

----- Squire wrote: ----

Are your new computers formatted in NTFS
If so
The older ones formatted in FAT32 cannot read the new NTFS formatted fil
system

We are in a medical office with "antiquated" equipment. The 3 existin

computers run on Win 95 (1) and 98 (2). Our basic practice managemen
software runs on a DOS shell and is set-up on the main computer and easil
accessed on our simple, hub-based, network

We have now brought in 3 new computers that all run on XP Pro or XP Home

When plugged into the network, they can see the "main" computer with our P
software, its drive, folder, etc. But when we attempt to create a shortcu
to the program on any of the new computers, we either get a ".pif fil
error," or a less than full black window appears momentarily (which is ho
the PM program begins on the 3 old computers), but then, the program doe
not load and the black window quickly disappears; too quickly to be able t
read the DOS-style message that appears in that black window

 

[Pavel]

PIF file extension refers to the Program Information File that may be
associated with a DOS application in the Windows environment. This file
contains information about how the DOS application will run in Windows.

The PIF file is equivalent to LNK file. You could do properties on this PIF
file and see what is causing the problem you experiencing. Could be as
simple as setting the compatibility mode to Windows 95. Regardless of what
you do, by pointing to PIF file in order to create shortcut, you are
creating a secondary shortcut since the PIF file is also a shortcut. Instead
of creating shortcut to the PIF file, create a shortcut that points to the
executable file that the original PIF file is pointing to.


The 'black window' you see is probably some message from your dos program
telling you of some problem. If you still get this 'black window', you can
simply open DOS session by using the Command prompt from your Start
menu/Accessories and execute the program directly from there.

I do not know what is Squire talking about with the NTFS/FAT32 read
compatibility since it has nothing to do with your problem.

Pavel

We are in a medical office with "antiquated" equipment. The 3 existing

computers run on Win 95 (1) and 98 (2). Our basic practice management
software runs on a DOS shell and is set-up on the main computer and easily
accessed on our simple, hub-based, network.

We have now brought in 3 new computers that all run on XP Pro or XP Home.

When plugged into the network, they can see the "main" computer with our PM
software, its drive, folder, etc. But when we attempt to create a shortcut
to the program on any of the new computers, we either get a ".pif file
error," or a less than full black window appears momentarily (which is how
the PM program begins on the 3 old computers), but then, the program does
not load and the black window quickly disappears; too quickly to be able to
read the DOS-style message that appears in that black window.

 

[Guest]

Pavel
Thank you for your reply. I too, was somewhat confused by Squire's reference. However, before even attempting the shortcut, I was able to "see" the .bat file that was used on the 3 older computers to launch the program. If I tried to double-click on that file, that black DOS window briefly appeared. Then I did exactly as you suggested and entered the DOS shell on one of the XP machines, maneuvered to the network drive and attempted to start the program directly from there. Unfortunately, that too failed. I am puzzled

Thanks

RSMAG

----- Pavel wrote: ----

PIF file extension refers to the Program Information File that may b
associated with a DOS application in the Windows environment. This fil
contains information about how the DOS application will run in Windows

The PIF file is equivalent to LNK file. You could do properties on this PI
file and see what is causing the problem you experiencing. Could be a
simple as setting the compatibility mode to Windows 95. Regardless of wha
you do, by pointing to PIF file in order to create shortcut, you ar
creating a secondary shortcut since the PIF file is also a shortcut. Instea
of creating shortcut to the PIF file, create a shortcut that points to th
executable file that the original PIF file is pointing to


The 'black window' you see is probably some message from your dos progra
telling you of some problem. If you still get this 'black window', you ca
simply open DOS session by using the Command prompt from your Star
menu/Accessories and execute the program directly from there

I do not know what is Squire talking about with the NTFS/FAT32 rea
compatibility since it has nothing to do with your problem

Pave

We are in a medical office with "antiquated" equipment. The 3 existin

computers run on Win 95 (1) and 98 (2). Our basic practice managemen
software runs on a DOS shell and is set-up on the main computer and easil
accessed on our simple, hub-based, network

We have now brought in 3 new computers that all run on XP Pro or XP Home

When plugged into the network, they can see the "main" computer with our P
software, its drive, folder, etc. But when we attempt to create a shortcu
to the program on any of the new computers, we either get a ".pif fil
error," or a less than full black window appears momentarily (which is ho
the PM program begins on the 3 old computers), but then, the program doe
not load and the black window quickly disappears; too quickly to be able t
read the DOS-style message that appears in that black window

 

[Pavel]

Not all DOS programs will run under WindowsXP environment. WindowsXP does
not have a true DOS environment so that is the reason. But before you give
up there are few things you can try:

Set the environment in the properties of the PIF to:
Screen....full-screen or window
Compatibility.....Windows95, 256 colors

If the above does not help, consider to have a dual boot for your WindowsXP
that will boot to DOS or Windows98 just for this program.

By the way, what is this program you are trying to run? Maybe it has some
additional requirements such as settings that need to be included in
Config.sys and/or Autoexec.bat.


--
Pavel

Pavel,
Thank you for your reply. I too, was somewhat confused by Squire's

reference. However, before even attempting the shortcut, I was able to "see"
the .bat file that was used on the 3 older computers to launch the program.
If I tried to double-click on that file, that black DOS window briefly
appeared. Then I did exactly as you suggested and entered the DOS shell on
one of the XP machines, maneuvered to the network drive and attempted to
start the program directly from there. Unfortunately, that too failed. I am
puzzled!

 

[Pavel]

I just realized that you mentioned some sort of BAT file. What was in this
BAT file?

--
Pavel

Pavel,
Thank you for your reply. I too, was somewhat confused by Squire's

reference. However, before even attempting the shortcut, I was able to "see"
the .bat file that was used on the 3 older computers to launch the program.
If I tried to double-click on that file, that black DOS window briefly
appeared. Then I did exactly as you suggested and entered the DOS shell on
one of the XP machines, maneuvered to the network drive and attempted to
start the program directly from there. Unfortunately, that too failed. I am
puzzled!

 

[Guest]

Pavel
Again, thanks for the reply. I will try to institute your recommendation tomorrow morning in the office. The .bat file was simply a call to the mapped drive to start the program. It is a doctor's office management program called "DOCS," from a company here in south Florida. I'll keep you posted and again, thanks for your efforts!

RSMAG

----- Pavel wrote: ----

I just realized that you mentioned some sort of BAT file. What was in thi
BAT file

--
Pave

Pavel
Thank you for your reply. I too, was somewhat confused by Squire'

reference. However, before even attempting the shortcut, I was able to "see
the .bat file that was used on the 3 older computers to launch the program
If I tried to double-click on that file, that black DOS window briefl
appeared. Then I did exactly as you suggested and entered the DOS shell o
one of the XP machines, maneuvered to the network drive and attempted t
start the program directly from there. Unfortunately, that too failed. I a
puzzled

 

[Pavel]

If you could post the contents of this BAT file....I will take a look at it.

--
Pavel

Pavel,
Again, thanks for the reply. I will try to institute your recommendation

tomorrow morning in the office. The .bat file was simply a call to the
mapped drive to start the program. It is a doctor's office management
program called "DOCS," from a company here in south Florida. I'll keep you
posted and again, thanks for your efforts!!