Dos Program in XP Pro?

I have a program that runs in DOS. I am running XP Pro. When I try to run the program, I get a black screen. Is there a way I can get this program to run?
Thanks for any help.

 

Type cmd in the RUN window or go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt. Either way will give you a command window from which you can migrate to the folder that contains the executable dos program and run it. Just type the .exe file's name and press enter, while resident in the folder that it resides in.

If it fails to run from that mode, you can try creating a Desktop Shortcut (PIF) to the executable and adjusting the properties of that Shortcut to try and accommodate the program. There are several compatibility options for running programs so you'll just have to try all of them and hope.

Some programs will not run in XP so you may not succeed. Perhaps if you tell us what the program's name is, someone may have first hand experience with it.

Good luck.

 

Note that while CMD is the primary CLI for NT ( W2K/Xp ) COMMAND.COM still exists in \WINNT\System32\Command.com

Why is this important? Because there are minor differences in Batch file syntax between the them and the differences may be enough to cure your problem.

You can also set compatability mode and may find a setting that you program can live with.

I use an old DOS based CAD/CAM program for quick 2D drawings and import the drawing into my Win Version to add all the extra 3D details just because the DOS program is much faster for the simple stuff. I do this in both W2k and Xp

Note: I have noticed that sometimes COMMAND.COM does not like to play nice. To be more extact if it is running "windowed" you may not be able to close it by clicking the [X] with the mouse. It wants you to type in the EXIT command and then it should close down cleanly.

 

Dos and XP

surferdude2 and Profgab101
I have tried all methods suggested with no results. I set the compatability to Windows 95 and 98 and the program will not work. When I use the "Command" in the "Run" method or the "Program" "MSDOS" mode it tells me that "it is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. "
Needless to say, I am not familiar with the DOS program, so I don't know what a lot of this means.
Thanks for the help.

 

Not knowing the software you're trying to run, I can't give you much more hope. Since there is no actual DOS mode in XP, it's only an emulated DOS via a Virtual Dos Machine), some of the old extended DOS programs just won't run on XP. Perhaps check with the author for an updated version.

 

DOS & XP

I was afraid that this would be the end result. Unfortunately this is an old program and the author is deceased. I'll try it on an old Windows 98 machine that is still available and see what happens.
Thanks for the help. I really appreciate this board and all who are so willing to help.
Once again --Thanks!!

 

These things can be seriously frustrating to deal with via a forum like this.

If you'd like to email me the DOS program I'll be happy to play around with it and see if I can get to run.

I'll either get back to you with specifics on making it work or with my best guess as to why it won't.

 

have you tried dosbox? works a treat for me.

DosBox

 

Dos Program

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Other things have kept me busy including a little eye surgery. I have tried "DosBox" and cannot get it to work either.

The program is called "Beacon. "
It involves Ham Radio activity. It tracks beacons for Amateur Radio Operators to let us know when the bands are open to other parts of the world.

Here is the message that came with the program to help you figure out what it is supposed to do.
*******************************************************
"Here is the beacon clock ... these beacons

are on the air continuously .. you have to set your computer clock to

WWV to the dot however to get the movement to sync with the stations ....

just run it as a regular program ... it disappears upon any key stroke "
********************************************************
Thanks for all of your help. Again, I apologize for the delay in getting back to the board.