When launched from a created program startup
You mean a PIF?
PIF file extension .pif is HIDDEN. PIF files show up with Shortcut arrow on
the icon.
If you start a 16-bit program from a command prompt window, the PIF settings
won't be used.
PIFs are nothing more than custom startup files for MS-DOS-based programs.
PIFs allow you to setup custom settings for each 16-bit program
individually. You can even create two PIFs for each program if you want to
have to different settings for each program.
program information file (PIF)
A file that provides information to Windows about how best to run
MS-DOS-based programs. When you start an MS-DOS-based program, Windows looks
for a PIF to use with it. PIFs contain such items as the name of the file, a
start-up directory, and multitasking options.
To create or change a program information file (PIF)
Prior to creating or making changes to the PIF, please review the
MS-DOS-based program documentation. Changing the PIF affects how the program
interacts with Windows. The program might only work correctly with specific
default settings.
1 Open My Computer.
2 Do one of the following:
* If you want to create a program information file (PIF) for a program,
locate the program and right-click it. Then click Properties and change the
default settings to match the program requirements.
* If you want to change the settings of an existing PIF file, locate the
shortcut to the program file and right-click it. Click Properties and make
the appropriate changes.
Notes
* To open My Computer, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
Creating a program information file (PIF) for an MS-DOS-based program
creates a shortcut to the program executable. All the settings saved in the
PIF file are contained in the shortcut.
* To specify whether an MS-DOS-based program starts in a full screen or in a
window, change the Run properties on the Program (or Shortcut) tab.
* To view MS-DOS-based program output on the screen faster, after clicking
Properties in step 2, on the Screen tab, select Fast ROM emulation under
Performance. Please review the documentation that came with your video card
to ensure it supports Fast ROM emulation.
* To increase the performance of the MS-DOS-based program, you can allocate
more memory. To make this change, after clicking Properties in step 2, on
the Memory tab, set Expanded (EMS) memory or Extended (XMS) memory to Auto,
and no limit will be imposed. If you experience program errors, set the
value in the Total window to 8192. For more information, click Related
Topics.
* The Properties dialog box has replaced the PIF Editor used in earlier
versions of Windows.
PIF Properties. Right click a PIF and click Properties.
Program tab
Cmd line:
[[Provides a space for you to type the path and command to start this
MS-DOS-based program. If necessary, include the drive, folder, file name
extension, and any parameters for the command. You can use environment
variables in this box (%variable%).
If you type a space followed by a question mark (?) on the command line, you
will be prompted for parameters each time the program is started.]]
Working:
[[Provides a space for you to type the name of the folder that this program
will load files from, and where it will save files. If necessary, include
the drive letter.]]
Batch file:
[[Provides a space for you to type the name of a batch file that will run
each time you start this program.]]
Shortcut key:
[[Provides a space for you to define a keyboard shortcut to start or switch
to this program from Windows 2000. Shortcut keys must include CTRL and/or
ALT and another key (for example, CTRL+Y). You cannot use ESC, ENTER, TAB,
SPACEBAR, PRINT SCREEN, or BACKSPACE.
No other program can use this key combination. If the shortcut key conflicts
with an access key in a Windows-based program, the access key will not
work.]]
Run:
[[Specifies how the window is displayed when you start this program. You can
display it as a normal window, reduced to a button on the taskbar, or
enlarged to take up the whole screen.
Note that many MS-DOS-based programs cannot be enlarged to take up the whole
screen.]]
Close on exit
[[Specifies whether to close or leave open the MS-DOS window after the
program is completed.]]
Advanced button
[[If you created custom startup files, you can type the path where they will
be located on your hard disk. Changing to a custom configuration file allows
this program to have exclusive use of your computer, in MS-DOS mode, or
enables Windows-based programs to run in addition to this program. A check
box is available for specifying compatible timer hardware emulation.]]
-----
Autoexec filename:
[[Provides a space for you to enter the Autoexec.nt file that is used when
you run this program in MS-DOS mode.
If you leave the Autoexec Filename box blank, the program will use your
current Autoexec.nt file, and will start faster.
You can use environment variables in this box (%variable%). ]]
Config filename:
[[Provides a space for you to enter the Config.nt file that is used when you
run this program in MS-DOS mode.
If you leave the Config Filename box blank, the program will use your
current Config.nt file, and will start faster.
You can use environment variables in this box (%variable%). ]]
Compatible timer hardware emulation
[[Enables MS-DOS-based programs to reduce the rate at which the computer’s
timer sends timing signals.]]
-----
Change Icon button
[[Changes the icon that represents this program.]]
-----
Memory tab
Conventional memory
Total
[[Specifies the amount of conventional memory that is required (in
kilobytes). ]]
Initial environment
[[Specifies the number of bytes of memory reserved for the MS-DOS Command
Interpreter (Command.com). This setting also applies to batch files having
the extension .bat.
If set to Auto, the initial size of the environment is determined by the
SHELL= line in your Config.nt file.
This feature is only in effect when the program is run under the Windows 95
operating system.]]
Protected
[[Specifies whether to protect system memory from inappropriate
modifications by this program. ]]
Expanded (EMS) memory
[[Specifies the maximum amount of expanded memory to allocate to this
program (in kilobytes).]]
Extended (XMS) memory
[[Specifies the maximum amount of extended memory to allocate to the program
(in kilobytes).]]
Uses HMA
[[Specifies whether this program can use the high-memory area (HMA).
This option has no effect if the HMA is already being used by the system
(for example, if MS-DOS is loaded or if an MS-DOS device driver is using the
HMA).]]
MS-DOS protected-mode (DPMI) memory
[[Specifies the maximum amount of MS-DOS protected-mode (DPMI) memory to all
allocate to this program (in kilobytes).
This feature is only in effect when the program is run under the Windows 95
operating system.]]
-----
Screen tab
Usage:
Full-screen
[[Specifies that the program will run in a full screen. This uses the least
memory and is mostly used to run graphics.]]
Window
[[Specifies that the program will run in a window. This mode makes it easier
to share information with other Windows-based programs and is mostly used
for text-based MS-DOS programs.]]
Window
[[Restores window settings when you quit this program, including the window
size, position, and font. This is not used if you are running the program in
a full screen.]]
Performance:
Fast ROM emulation
[[Specifies whether the display driver should emulate any of the video
functions in read-only memory (ROM) functions.]]
Dynamic memory allocation
[[Specifies that this program uses text and graphic modes and you want to
maximize the amount of memory available to other programs while this program
is running. When you switch to the mode requiring less memory, more memory
will become available to other programs.]]
---------
Misc tab
Foreground
Allow screen saver
[[Specifies that the screen saver starts even when the program is the active
program.]]
Mouse:
QuickEdit
[[Specifies that the mouse can be used to select text for cutting and
copying. If QuickEdit is not
selected, you must click Mark on the Edit menu to mark text for cutting and
copying.
This feature is only in effect when the program is run under the Windows 95
operating system.]]
Exclusive mode
[[Enables the mouse to work exclusively with this program. You will not be
able to use the mouse as a standard Windows pointer.]]
Background
Always suspend
[[Prevents any system resources from being used by this program when it is
not active.]]
Termination
Warn if still active
[[Receives a warning message when you try to close the program window while
the program is still running.]]
Idle sensitivity
[[Specifies how long the program will remain idle (waiting for keyboard
input) before reducing the CPU resources allotted to the program and
enabling other programs to use them.
Low idle sensitivity lets the program run longer before the CPU resources
are allotted to it. High idle sensitivity reduces the CPU resources allotted
to the program sooner.
If a program that is running in the background is not getting enough CPU
resources, move the slider toward Low. If you want a program to use fewer
CPU resources, move the slider toward High.]]
Other
Fast pasting
[[Enables a quicker method of pasting information into this program. Fast
pasting works with most programs; however, if you try to paste information
into your program and it does not paste correctly, clear this check box.]]
Widows shortcut keys
[[Specifies the shortcut keys you want to reserve for use with Windows
instead of with this program.
Clear the check box for a key sequence if you want Windows to ignore it when
this program is in use.]]
--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
In
