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Stack overflow in old DOS program under Windows XP

I use an old DOS based engineering calculation program named ESTRUCT.EXE using the DOS console under Windows XP professional SP2/3.

If I reinstall WIndows XP the application runs fine. But after some time, perhaps after doing something else, the program returns an error:

(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

D:\UTILS\ESTR>estruct

? Error: stack overflow
Error Code 2000
PC = 25AC: 122E; SS = 23A8, FP = 000C, SP = 2580

D:\UTILS\ESTR>

I already modified the CONFIG.NT and AUTOEXEC.NT. Also, I tried restoring the files from c:\WINDOWS\REPAIR.

It seems to me that something changes in Windows. So far only a reinstall works for me but that is too much work.

Any ideas on what could possibly be happening?

Justin_W_Chandler

1) Right click, properties, compatibility tab, enable compatibility mode
2) Try running the application with the 16bit COMMAND.EXE command interpreter.
3) Install MSDOS or Windows 9x on a virtual machine (MS Virtual Machine and Sun Virtual Box are both free)

SysExpert

Other options, turn on restore points in XP, and restore to a previous point that worked OK.

Also there is a program called apcompat that helps with DOS settings.

I hope this helps !

SysExpert

also

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/97264-13-running-game

http://www.sysopt.com/tutorials/article.php/12034_3532691_2

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

gato-san

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Justin_W_Chandler

I hope that by modifying the memory pointers you do not skew the required results. If it turns out that this was the appropriate solution then congratulations and good job!

gato-san

ASKER

I compared with several old outputs. All features seem to be ok.

Justin_W_Chandler

Good job, nice find