I have a DOS program running on my Windows XP Pro computer. It seems to run fine; however, if I minimize the program and try to open Excel or Word or anything else it takes forever. Once I close the DOS program it opens perfectly fine - no hesitation. I checked the Task Manager when the DOS program was open and it showed NTVDM.EXE with 99% CPU usage. Is there any way to correct this without having to close the DOS program everytime I want to open another program?
I also have another question about the DOS window. When I open the DOS program it shows in a box that does not take up the entire screen -- I clicked on the left hand side of the DOS program box and went to properties and selected "Full Screen" and the DOS window does become full screen; however, I can't retain the setting. Everytime I open the DOS program I have to go back to the properties and select full screen. Anyway to make it retain the settings??
Thanks for your help!!
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#1 This is caused by the fact that nearly all 16-bit DOS executables use a technique called "polling" to detect when keys are being pressed on the keyboard instead of being "event driven". This polling is nothing more than a short loop of code running continuously examining the interrupt status of the keyboard. Many users have had great success using a connercial program called "TameDOS" to control the effects of this style of coding.
http://www.tamedos.com/dow
If your application is written in CA-Clipper, and if you have the source code available for recompiling, I can tell you how to solve the problem without the use of any commercial third-party software.
#2 In addition to the other comments regarding "full screen" vs "windowed" mode for your command session (your DOS screen), you can toggle back and forth between the two modes by pressing the ALT key and the ESC key concurrently. Many programs actually run faster when run in full screen move instead of windowed mode... especially if they produce lots of screen updates.
HTH,
Lynn
1) Jester, he does not need to get (and pay) TameDOS, since he says that he minimizes the program (which as you know means the program goes to the background).
So, if he enables the option I mentioned the program will be suspended alltogether and not consume ANY CPU cycles.
TameDOS is needed if he wants to keep the program running while switching to Excel, Words etc.
>Is there any way to correct this without having to close the DOS program everytime I want to open another program?
...which evidently is not what he wants, since if he currently closes the program to open another, he does not need to keep the program running actively - mmj correct me if my assumption is wrong here.
2)>...ALT key and the ESC key ...
...Or ALT + ENTER...
:)
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by: DrWarezzPosted on 2005-01-03 at 09:42:53ID: 12945228
Hey,
(1)
I'm afraid that you can't fix this via Software. The only way that I can think of to sort this, is to buy an expensive, multithreaded CPU. ie; Intel P 4, 800MHz. Or some other monster. That will sort that.
(2)
If the setting in the Properties doesn't remain the same, then it's because the DOS program is being a bit insistent to open it in normal mode. Have you tried this:
1) Open Command Prompt
2) Type: CD c:\directory_with_program\
3) Then hit enter, then type: NTVDM /max and hit enter
This will hopefully open the program in MAX. Let me know of the outcome, then we'll come to a solution.
What OS are you on?
gL,
[r.D]