Command prompt problem

[Ron Hinds]

Somehow, my Command Prompt windows were set to full screen. Now, whenever
any app runs a script or shells out, my entire screen goes black. I tried
changing the shortcut for Command Prompt to use a window, and also told it
to make that the default for all instances. When I run Command Prompt
manually, it always starts in a window, whether I start it from the shortcut
or use Start | Run | command. But even in apps I have written, when I
specify the shell to use a window, it's still full screen. The only thing I
can think of is it must be a registry setting somewhere, but I have no idea
where. Can anyone help? This is getting really annoying! Windows 2000 SP4.

 

[Adam Joseph Cook]

Somehow, my Command Prompt windows were set to full screen. Now, whenever
any app runs a script or shells out, my entire screen goes black. I tried
changing the shortcut for Command Prompt to use a window, and also told it
to make that the default for all instances. When I run Command Prompt
manually, it always starts in a window, whether I start it from the shortcut
or use Start | Run | command. But even in apps I have written, when I
specify the shell to use a window, it's still full screen. The only thing I
can think of is it must be a registry setting somewhere, but I have no idea
where. Can anyone help? This is getting really annoying! Windows 2000 SP4.

Hey Ron,

I am just going to put this out there (I am thinking you probably
already tried this anyways). Here is a decent description of the
2000/XP command prompt settings. It doesn't deal with the shortcuts
directly.

https://www.petri.co.il/customize_command_prompt_in_windows_xp_2000_2003.htm

See if this helps. I don't see anything immediate in the Microsoft KB
articles. If not, reply.

--Adam Joseph Cook, Mechanical Engineer

 

[Ron Hinds]

Hey Ron,

I am just going to put this out there (I am thinking you probably
already tried this anyways). Here is a decent description of the
2000/XP command prompt settings. It doesn't deal with the shortcuts
directly.

https://www.petri.co.il/customize_command_prompt_in_windows_xp_2000_2003.htm

See if this helps. I don't see anything immediate in the Microsoft KB
articles. If not, reply.

--Adam Joseph Cook, Mechanical Engineer

Thanks for the reply, Adam. No, that didn't help me any. As I say, when I
manually open a Command Prompt everything is just fine. It's only when I
shell out from my own application or another application does it, e.g., to
run a script.

 

[Steve Parry]

Somehow, my Command Prompt windows were set to full screen. Now, whenever
any app runs a script or shells out, my entire screen goes black. I tried
changing the shortcut for Command Prompt to use a window, and also told it
to make that the default for all instances. When I run Command Prompt
manually, it always starts in a window, whether I start it from the
shortcut or use Start | Run | command. But even in apps I have written,
when I specify the shell to use a window, it's still full screen. The
only thing I can think of is it must be a registry setting somewhere, but
I have no idea where. Can anyone help? This is getting really annoying!
Windows 2000 SP4.

does it return to a window when you press Alt & Enter ?

 

[Steve Parry]

does it return to a window when you press Alt & Enter ?

PS also take a look at the registry

"Command Shell Full Screen vs Window Mode

To set the command shell console default to full screen mode or window mode,
apply the following Windows NT / Windows 2000 registry change.
Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Console
Name: FullScreen
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0 window mode
Value: 1 fullscreen mode

"

 

[Ron Hinds]

does it return to a window when you press Alt & Enter ?

It only happens when an automatic process is shelling out to run a script.
I've tried pressing Alt-Enter at those times to shrink it back to a window
but they tend to go by so fast that it doesn't work. At least that's what
I'm guessing as to why it won't work...

 

[Ron Hinds]

PS also take a look at the registry

"Command Shell Full Screen vs Window Mode

To set the command shell console default to full screen mode or window mode,
apply the following Windows NT / Windows 2000 registry change.
Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Console
Name: FullScreen
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0 window mode
Value: 1 fullscreen mode

"

WooHoo! I think you've found it! It was set to 1 - fullscreen mode! I
changed it to 0 - we shall see but I'm feeling pretty good about it!

 

[Ron Hinds]

PS also take a look at the registry

"Command Shell Full Screen vs Window Mode

To set the command shell console default to full screen mode or window mode,
apply the following Windows NT / Windows 2000 registry change.
Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key: Console
Name: FullScreen
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0 window mode
Value: 1 fullscreen mode

"

Success! Thank you Steve - I've been living with this for months and it has
been REALLY annoying!

 

[Steve Parry]

Success! Thank you Steve - I've been living with this for months and it
has been REALLY annoying!

glad to have helped, thanks for the feedback