DOS apps in XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter John
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J

John

I have a need to be able to run a DOS version of a POS software on XP for a
short period of time until the windows upgrade for the app is available.
Has anyone had occasion to run a Dos app in XP? What problems if any, were
encountered?

John
 
John said:
I have a need to be able to run a DOS version of a POS software on XP for a
short period of time until the windows upgrade for the app is available.
Has anyone had occasion to run a Dos app in XP? What problems if any, were
encountered?

John
Click to expand...

DOS apps that are properly written generally work okay under Windows
XP.

However:
1. Any DOS app that requires a "restart in MS-DOS mode" in order to
run under Windows 98 is probably not going to work at all under
Windows XP.

2. Business applications that require the presence of a software
authorisation plug on the parallel port (a dongle) will very often be
problematic because the authorisation routine works directly with the
parallel port hardware rather than using operating system function
calls. XP does not permit direct control of the hardware by an
application. It must be done via the operating system.

If the DOS app works okay with WindowsMe and especially if it works
with Windows NT or Windows 2000 then it is very likely going to be
okay with Windows XP.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
 
Thanks for the info.

John
Ron Martell said:
DOS apps that are properly written generally work okay under Windows
XP.

However:
1. Any DOS app that requires a "restart in MS-DOS mode" in order to
run under Windows 98 is probably not going to work at all under
Windows XP.

2. Business applications that require the presence of a software
authorisation plug on the parallel port (a dongle) will very often be
problematic because the authorisation routine works directly with the
parallel port hardware rather than using operating system function
calls. XP does not permit direct control of the hardware by an
application. It must be done via the operating system.

If the DOS app works okay with WindowsMe and especially if it works
with Windows NT or Windows 2000 then it is very likely going to be
okay with Windows XP.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."
Click to expand...
 
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