DOS Difficulty

[Leon]

If anyone has any ideas please email me or reply to this
post.

I'm having a problem with DOS in that it won't run
programs or specifically games I execute either in
command prompt or in windows. I've taked to a few people
and the answer I tend to get is that XP is not designed
to run DOS. I've tried installing the new version of MS-
DOS from the microsoft website and the instaler can't
access the C: drive. The error I get when running a DOS
program is a "general protection fault: possible illegal
address" does this have anything to do with the
inaccessibility of the C: drive? The same program I need
to run will work perfectly on a Windows 98 computer I had
at work, so obviously I thought it must be an XP problem.

I'd really appreciate any ideas you have. E-mail me
preferably or I can check back here every so often.

Many Thanks

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

There is no underlying DOS in an NT system (WindowsXP is an NT system) like
there is in Win95/98/ME. A separate install of DOS probably won't work as
most WindowsXP systems use NTFS for the file system, and DOS cannot read
this file system. Some DOS programs can be run from the DOS emulator in
WindowsXP (Start/run cmd), but any that require direct hardware access will
not - this is not allowed in an NT system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

I'm having a problem with DOS in that it won't run
programs or specifically games I execute either in
command prompt or in windows. I've taked to a few people
and the answer I tend to get is that XP is not designed
to run DOS.

It's not that "XP is not designed to run DOS," it's that there is
no DOS for it to run. Unlike Windows 9x, Windows XP is not built
on or include DOS. You may see that as a disadvantage, but
realize that much of XP's improved stability is exactly for that
reason.

I've tried installing the new version of MS-
DOS from the microsoft website and the instaler can't
access the C: drive.

How did you try to do that? Did you create a dual-boot scenario?

If your drive is NTFS, that's why it can't access the C: drive.

The error I get when running a DOS
program is a "general protection fault: possible illegal
address" does this have anything to do with the
inaccessibility of the C: drive? The same program I need
to run will work perfectly on a Windows 98 computer I had
at work, so obviously I thought it must be an XP problem.

Although Windows XP doesn't include DOS, it will run many DOS
programs without a problem. Other DOS programs will run if you
selct compatibility mode. And some DOS programs won't run at all.
It depends on the programs and how they work. If they try to
access the hardware directly, for example, they won't run at all.

Mention the program names here. Someone may have experience with
them under XP.

I'd really appreciate any ideas you have. E-mail me
preferably or I can check back here every so often.

Sorry, no E-mail support.

 

[herbzee]

ATT: Ken Blake:
picking up the thread, similar problem.U invited to mention the Dos
program; "Managing Your Money"-Tobias.
It runs fine under XP, BUT no matter what I do, I can't get full screen.
Even increasing font gives only about 3/4 of the screen. I tried the
full screen toggling bit and compatibilty as well, no help.
cheers-Herb

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

In

ATT: Ken Blake:
picking up the thread, similar problem.U invited to mention the Dos
program; "Managing Your Money"-Tobias.
It runs fine under XP, BUT no matter what I do, I can't get full
screen. Even increasing font gives only about 3/4 of the screen. I
tried the full screen toggling bit and compatibilty as well, no help.
cheers-Herb

Sorry, I've never used the program and can't help you. Maybe
someone else here can.