Some problem with CMD.EXE

[Klemens Lichter]

Hi,
starting a DOS-application via desktop-link I can set inside the link some
compatibility options. But starting CMD.EXE itself via desktop link there
the possibility to set compatibility modus is not accessible.
My problem is that I have some programs I run to manage some data and other
stuff so I´m used to open a DOS box and inside there work like in the days
of good old DOS, i.e. change to the desired folder, start a program, after
finishing, change folder or start another program etc. Now some of these old
programs that all have been run fine while installed on a Win-2000 PC don´t
rund on a XP-Prof-SP2 PC. Mostly they are unable to do disk-access things.
If I start these programs via desktop-link and set compatibility modus than
all is OK for that program, starting them inside of a previous started
DOSbox they stop running. It is too much time consuming and stupid to always
change to the desktop and start another program so I want to do ist like
before under Win-2000. The XP did come together with the new PC so I´m
forced to use it.
Is there any way (maybee via registry or commandline option) to set CMD.EXE
itself in compatibility modus from WIN-2000?

I did try with the CMD.EXE from Win-2000, renamed it into CMD-2000.EXE and
copied it into the XP-PC, but starting it there it behaves like the
origional CMD.EXE from XP, so I assume that CMD.EXE is depending on other
DLL- or EXE files, but I don´t know what for.

If there is no solution, I will try to use a freeware DOS-box, but this is
the last way if any other fails.

Thank you in advance for help.
Klemens

 

[3c273]

You might try DOSBox. (Open Source)
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1
Louis

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Try using command.com instead of cmd.exe.

Start | Run | Type: command | Click OK

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.]]

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 seetings for each program.

There is a whole bunch of info in Help and Support about PIFs, type pif in
the Search box to see them.

All of the following is from Help and Support (even though I included online
links).

[[A program information file (PIF) is created when you create a shortcut to,
or modify the properties of, an MS-DOS-based program. PIFs allow you to set
default properties for MS-DOS programs, such as font size, screen colors,
and memory allocation.

When you change any settings in an MS-DOS-based program, a PIF is
automatically created. The settings you specify will be used each time you
start the program by double-clicking its icon. If you start the program from
a command prompt window, these settings won't be used.

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. Windows displays PIF files as
shortcuts. ]]
from...
Using PIF files
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...xp/all/proddocs/en-us/windows_pif_create.mspx

[[Creating separate program information files (PIFs) for shortcuts to MS-DOS
programs allows you to save different settings and formatting, which will
automatically be used when you start the program from the shortcut. ]]
from...
To set up two shortcuts for an MS-DOS program
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../all/proddocs/en-us/windows_dos_two_pifs.mspx

[[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. ]]
from...
To create or change a program information file (PIF)
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...all/proddocs/en-us/windows_dos_configure.mspx

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In