Keyboard issue in DOS games

[Dekaritae]

When I run any graphical DOS game under Windows XP SP1, keystrokes don't
get sent to the game. Reserved key combinations like Alt+Enter and Alt+Tab
do work, but regular keys aren't recognised.

Text mode DOS applications receive keystrokes, and any DOS game that can
be run in a window does as well. I've tried setting specific games to
'Compatibility mode for Windows 95', and I've tried a different keyboard
(different brand that my current one, but also non-USB).

I've tried booting from a FreeDOS disk, and all the games I've tried do
work correctly. DOSBox doesn't seem to be able to load any of them,
however.

If anyone knows of a specific setting in Windows that would be the cause
of this, I'd appreciate your help.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Dekaritae,

It's good that you have a workaround via the Free Dos method.

Which games are you having issues with? There might be a patch
you can install to get them to work without tinkering with your PIF.
If you want to try different PIF combinations however, there's lots
of information in Start / Help and Support. I hope that helps!

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| When I run any graphical DOS game under Windows XP SP1, keystrokes don't
| get sent to the game. Reserved key combinations like Alt+Enter and Alt+Tab
| do work, but regular keys aren't recognised.
|
| Text mode DOS applications receive keystrokes, and any DOS game that can
| be run in a window does as well. I've tried setting specific games to
| 'Compatibility mode for Windows 95', and I've tried a different keyboard
| (different brand that my current one, but also non-USB).
|
| I've tried booting from a FreeDOS disk, and all the games I've tried do
| work correctly. DOSBox doesn't seem to be able to load any of them,
| however.
|
| If anyone knows of a specific setting in Windows that would be the cause
| of this, I'd appreciate your help.
|

 

[Dekaritae]

Hi Dekaritae,

It's good that you have a workaround via the Free Dos method.

Which games are you having issues with? There might be a patch
you can install to get them to work without tinkering with your PIF.
If you want to try different PIF combinations however, there's lots
of information in Start / Help and Support. I hope that helps!

The problem seems to be with any graphical DOS application, not just
specifically games. From what I've tried, any program that can't be put in
a window by pressing Alt+Enter, will not receive keyboard input.

FreeDOS isn't much of a work-around because it requires shutting down my
programs in order to run these DOS ones (my computer does not come back
from hibernation).

Do you know what PIF settings affect regular keyboard input? I've gone
through the context help for each item, but nothing seems to control input
for the alphanumeric keys, only key combinations.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Dekaritae,

If you prefer to use PIF settings rather than Virtual Machine 2004,
DOS BOX, or Free DOS, here's a few MS DOS Prompt Property
settings that might help:

- Misc Tab / Turn off always suspend background
Check Mouse Exclusive mode
Experiment with the Windows Shortcut keys

- Compatibility Tab
Turn off advanced text services.

- Program Tab
Advanced Button
Check "Compatible timer hardware emulation"

- Font Tab
Try only Bitmap or TrueType fonts

- Screen Tab
Select "Full Screen" usage

- Compatibility Tab
Try using Windows 95 mode
Try the various display settings

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| "Jimmy S." <Private> wrote in |
| > Hi Dekaritae,
| >
| > It's good that you have a workaround via the Free Dos method.
| >
| > Which games are you having issues with? There might be a patch
| > you can install to get them to work without tinkering with your PIF.
| > If you want to try different PIF combinations however, there's lots
| > of information in Start / Help and Support. I hope that helps!
| >
|
| The problem seems to be with any graphical DOS application, not just
| specifically games. From what I've tried, any program that can't be put in
| a window by pressing Alt+Enter, will not receive keyboard input.
|
| FreeDOS isn't much of a work-around because it requires shutting down my
| programs in order to run these DOS ones (my computer does not come back
| from hibernation).
|
| Do you know what PIF settings affect regular keyboard input? I've gone
| through the context help for each item, but nothing seems to control input
| for the alphanumeric keys, only key combinations.
|

 

[Dekaritae]

Hi Dekaritae,

If you prefer to use PIF settings rather than Virtual Machine 2004,
DOS BOX, or Free DOS, here's a few MS DOS Prompt Property
settings that might help:

Ah thanks for the advice! It didn't occur to me to use a software emulator
to run a version of DOS with. I found an open emulator that I recall using
before; it even comes with a DOS disk image. I'll let you know how this
works out.

http://bochs.sourceforge.net/

 

[Jimmy S.]

My Pleasure! Here's the links to those that I mentioned as well..

With DOSBOX you can emulate a DOS computer on your XP desktop:
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/information.php Or try MS Virtual PC:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/virtualpc/downloads/trial.asp
which allows you to install DOS or to run any operating system inside XP.

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com


Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| "Jimmy S." <Private> wrote in |
| > Hi Dekaritae,
| >
| > If you prefer to use PIF settings rather than Virtual Machine 2004,
| > DOS BOX, or Free DOS, here's a few MS DOS Prompt Property
| > settings that might help:
| >
|
| Ah thanks for the advice! It didn't occur to me to use a software emulator
| to run a version of DOS with. I found an open emulator that I recall using
| before; it even comes with a DOS disk image. I'll let you know how this
| works out.
|
| http://bochs.sourceforge.net/
|