DOS program on XP Pro

[richard]

I have a DOS database that I have used for years and it works just fine
in WinMe. I really need to use it on XP, however. All aspects of the
program work on XP except Print. I went into Properties/Compatability
Mode and tried all configurations, but no luck with the printing.

When I click on Print in the database, XP locks up and I have to end the
program via Ctl-Alt-Del.

Anyone have any ideas how I can get this database to print on XP? I use
a HP 6540.

thanks

 

[philo]

I have a DOS database that I have used for years and it works just fine in
WinMe. I really need to use it on XP, however. All aspects of the program
work on XP except Print. I went into Properties/Compatability Mode and
tried all configurations, but no luck with the printing.

When I click on Print in the database, XP locks up and I have to end the
program via Ctl-Alt-Del.

Anyone have any ideas how I can get this database to print on XP? I use a
HP 6540.

thanks

If you right click on the cmd window you can "select", then copy the
contents...
next...paste directly into any windows app, such as wordpad.

you can then print from there.

(yes i know it's not a great solution but it should work)

 

[John John]

Most DOS programs print to LPT port, you can try using the net command
to map the lpt port to a print share, example:
net use lpt1: \\printer server\print share

John

 

[richard]

If you right click on the cmd window you can "select", then copy the
contents...
next...paste directly into any windows app, such as wordpad.

you can then print from there.

(yes i know it's not a great solution but it should work)

I would do this, except when the DOS database program loads, it fills
the whole screen and my cursor does not appear. I have to navigate
entirely with function keys and up/down keys.

 

[philo]

I would do this, except when the DOS database program loads, it fills the
whole screen and my cursor does not appear. I have to navigate entirely
with function keys and up/down keys.

if you cannot get the app to print by any other method...
you should be able to right click on the app and in "properties" to select
having the app
run in a window rather than full screen

i did test it with a dos app and was able to cut and paste into wordpad

 

[richard]

if you cannot get the app to print by any other method...
you should be able to right click on the app and in "properties" to select
having the app
run in a window rather than full screen

i did test it with a dos app and was able to cut and paste into wordpad

I tried that and got the program to run in a window, but still no luck
with copy/paste. When I place the cursor in the window, I cannot select
any text to copy because the mouse ceases to work in that window. The
database program does have an export function and I can export the data
to Notepad, but it comes out in a bit of a jumble, all formatting gone.
That may be the best I can do.
Thanks

 

[Stan Brown]

I would do this, except when the DOS database program loads, it fills
the whole screen and my cursor does not appear. I have to navigate
entirely with function keys and up/down keys.

Alt-Enter should switch you between window mode and full-screen mode.

As for printing, can you direct your program to print to a file? If
so, you can then use the free PrintFile
<http://www.lerup.com/printfile/> to print taht file. It's what I do
to print from dBase IV.

 

[GeorgeB]

I would do this, except when the DOS database program loads, it fills
the whole screen and my cursor does not appear. I have to navigate
entirely with function keys and up/down keys.

Normally I owuld trim, but there isn't much to cut ...

Try <alt><enter> from the full screen mode to get into a window; then
you will be able to get the select option.

I use a program "dosprn" to allow printing from an amortization
program that several friends use; slow it is, but it works even to
windows only printers.

 

[philo]

I tried that and got the program to run in a window, but still no luck
with copy/paste. When I place the cursor in the window, I cannot select
any text to copy because the mouse ceases to work in that window. The
database program does have an export function and I can export the data to
Notepad, but it comes out in a bit of a jumble, all formatting gone. That
may be the best I can do.
Thanks

No!!!


you right click on the *frame* not the window

then you will get the menu and can choose "paste"