XP and Dos based program

  • Thread starter Thread starter JCW
  • Start date Start date
J

JCW

I have an old program working in dos environment. The
program seems to work well in every way but one. It is
data base program that creates a billing file on drive A.
When attemting to do this the program does not want to co
operate. It gives Dos error code 5 - whatever that means!
Any suggestion?
 
Yes and I'm not being sarcastic, find out if there's an updated version of
the program, preferably one that is compatible with Windows XP.

The longer you remain tethered to that DOS based program, the worse this
problem is going to get as each new iteration of Windows to which you move
will only make that application that much more incompatible. It's sending
you a message, it's time to find a replacement. There is no DOS in XP, only
an emulator. You are going to tear your hair out trying to solve something
that could easily be solved if there is an XP compatible version.

Failing that, you could dual boot with previous version of Windows in which
you know you did not have this problem and use it in that version's DOS.
NOTE: because XP is already installed, you will need an XP compatible
version of Partition Magic, www.powerquest.com or some other partitioning
software along with their boot manager component in order to accomplish
this.
 
Ye you are correct about DOS but the problem is that the
program is not available in a more recent version and I
need the program. Cost of goint to a new program is too
high. Thanks.
 
I'm just going to add to what I've said that at some point, you are going to
have to bite the bullet on this and you may be at that point.

I don't have any ideas about solving the problem and it may be difficult
unless someone actually has experience with this specific application unless
it was custom made for you in which case it might be impossible but
something might turn up in response to your post. You also might want to do
a search on Google, www.google.com to see if you can find this issue or
something close and see how it was handled.

That said, if you are unable to find a resolution, you do still have the
option of what I wrote in the last paragraph of my initial response with
regard to dual booting with a version of Windows or even DOS in which you
know the application will function.

Something else to consider, if the data files are exportable in a format
that could be imported into a database or spreadsheet, you might then look
for a Windows based program, preferably an XP compatible application that
could import the data and let you continue with the new application. You
are going to face this at some point because DOS and DOS applications are
becoming ever more obsolete with each new upgrade and iteration of Windows.

An alternative might be to purchase an older computer that will run DOS or a
version of Windows with DOS and use it specifically for this application.
 
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