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Everyone had a favorite Dos program that they had to retire because of Windows95. The Dos program either didn't work properly or refused to work all together. Well, there may be a chance that you can dust it off and start using it again.
All it could take is a little tweeking in a little known area that is Windows95's equivilent to the Win 3.1 PIF (Program information file). The area I am referring to is the Programs Property Sheet. The program property sheet has more power and versatility than it's predecessor the Win 3.1 PIF.
Here's how to see if it will work for you. Begin by locating the original program file in My Computer or using Win95 Explorer.
One note, if you installed the program and it is located in the Start Menu this will be a shortcut file and not the original program file.
Once you have located the original program file, point to it and click the right mouse button. This will pull down a menu. From these menu options pick Properties.
At this point click the Advanced button to open the Advanced Program Settings. At the top of this box, you'll see the path and filename of the PIF the program uses. Directly below the PIF name are three boxes. The default, Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary, tells Win95 to inform you if the program won't run properly in regular Windows mode.
You are probably familiar with this message if your program has been causing problems in Windows. To avoid seeing this message every time, select the MS-DOS mode check box.
Using this option will display a choice of yes or no for Windows to shut down the GUI (Graphical User Interphase) and load a real mode Dos Shell.
By choosing the MS-DOS mode you also have the option to Use current MS-DOS configuration or Specify a new MS-DOS configuration.
Hopefully after a little trial and error, and tailoring the Advanced Program Settings, your DOS program will be as compatible as the rest of your computer.
Steve is a second trick car inspector at the Crest Yard at Fort Worth.
10-97