Question

Running DOS Program under XP Pro

Asked by: j4piper

I have an old DOS database that I need to run. Windows 3.11 is obsolete (this is where the database was developed and executed.)  I cannot change or convert the database.

When I get properties on the executable, I run the following;
Compatibility: Windows 98/ME, 256 Colors, Disable Themes
Screen: Window

It seems to work but I would like a larger DOS window.

Also, I get this error message: Warning There are insufficient allowable file handles in your CONFIG.SYS file. To properly utilize all of the features of Alpha Four, the "FILES=xx" command in your config.sys file should be set between 50 and 100.

How do I satisfy this error message?


Joe

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Asked On
2008-11-05 at 17:49:25ID23880255
Tags

MS

,

XP Pro

,

SP3

Topic

Windows 3.x Setup

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
14

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Answers

 

by: thinkpads_userPosted on 2008-11-05 at 18:44:35ID: 22892010

If you are running a DOS program directly in XP, it works (I do that with NewViews, for example), but I don't think config.sys or files are applicable to this method (at least not so far as I know). You can create a Windows 3.1 or DOS virtual machine with VMware and run a standard autoexec.bat and config.sys in the Virtual Machine.  .... T

 

by: j4piperPosted on 2008-11-05 at 18:51:51ID: 22892060

Not sure how I fix my problem with your comment?

 

by: zack4x4Posted on 2008-11-05 at 18:59:47ID: 22892090

You'll have to download the VMware program.  Once installed then create a session within that program.  It will allow you to modify the config.sys file - that is where you insert the FILES=100 in the file.

You can try adding it into your config.sys file on your c:\ - reboot your computer and try it.  My computer has a config.sys so im sure it's useful for something.  Let me know if that works.

 

by: thinkpads_userPosted on 2008-11-05 at 19:02:49ID: 22892100

You can look at the properties of the DOS command in XP. There is compatability, memory, font (controls the size of the windows), misc. properties, etc. Beyond that, I don't think you can do much more. You need to consider a virtual machine if the program won't run natively in XP. By the way, my new laptop is a Vista 64-bit laptop and none of my DOS programs run natively in that. ... T

 

by: pAceMakerNZPosted on 2008-12-08 at 15:33:44ID: 23125513

Try opening c:\WINDOWS\system32\CONFIG.NT with Notepad
Change "files=40" to Files=100 and see how that goes.

 

by: j4piperPosted on 2008-12-08 at 17:01:59ID: 23126000

I've done that....doesn't make a difference.

 

by: pAceMakerNZPosted on 2009-02-11 at 16:40:22ID: 23618204

Have you tried DOSBox?
http://www.dosbox.com/

 

by: j4piperPosted on 2009-02-11 at 17:51:03ID: 23618523

Nice program but my problem is when I run my DOS database it complains that I need to have my FILES=xx to be between 50 and 100.  Insufficient file handles in your CONFIG .SYS file.

 

by: pAceMakerNZPosted on 2009-02-11 at 18:44:05ID: 23618736

I will play around and get back to you ASAP.

 

by: pAceMakerNZPosted on 2009-02-19 at 13:59:16ID: 23686715

Sorry for taking so long. I have not been able to get this working yet. I haven't given up though.

 

by: j4piperPosted on 2009-02-19 at 14:24:08ID: 23686920

I have almost accepted my problem when running this program under DOS.

Complains about not enough FILES=100 ---- I have monkeyed with it and could not make it go away.....would be nice to remove the annoyance.  Not a show stopper.  Just one click and it goes away (ignore.)

 

by: thinkpads_userPosted on 2009-04-20 at 19:12:45ID: 24190335

To use VMware to run a DOS OS and therefore a DOS program is a perfectly reasonable answer. It may be that the asker doesn't like the answer, but the asker is wrong to say "no reasonable answer".

 

by: j4piperPosted on 2009-04-21 at 06:11:02ID: 24193824

Your opinion.  I will sit on this question until I get an answer that works for me.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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