Can a batch file run a DOS program in full screen mode under XP?

[Ray QSA]

I run a small network of PCs for a non-profit organisation
providing support and assistance and equipment to people
who have had bowel or bladder surgery resulting in a stoma.
Our operation relies on a purpose-written DOS program
originally written some years ago.
This DOS program runs OK in full-screen mode on our new
WIN XP Pro PCs when run from a desktop shortcut to the
relevant executable file.
I'd like to execute the program from a batch file which
does some house-keeping and updating before executing the
DOS program, but have been unable to make it run in full-
screen mode when the batch file is run from a desktop
shortcut.
My work-around for the moment is to have separate desktop
icons shortcutting to (1) the house-keeping/updating and
(2) the program execution but I'd prefer to have just the
one batch so that the program is never run without first
doing the other things.
ANY SUGGESTIONS?

 

[Code-Curious Mom]

Try this (worked for me). Get the path to the *shortcut* you are using to
start the program fullscreen. The shortcut probably has a .pif extension.
(Open a command prompt at the folder and type dir to verify this.) Then
start the shortcut from the batch file:


start "" "C:\(path)\shortcutname.pif"