DOS graphics mode

[WizDawg]

I am running Microsoft XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2. I am coding a program in assembly to be used over the serial port, with simple graphics. The program operates in 320x200 graphics mode. The program works perfectly at the computer in the lab which uses windows XP. When I try to run it on my home computer, also using windows XP, all I see is a blank screen (fullscreen). The program is frozen from this point on. The only way to exit is to press the windows button and come back to the desktop to close it with "end task". Again, it works on the lab computers, not mine, with the same OS. What could be causing my graphics to not show up?

that was my brother posting that question.

i just wanted to add i had the same problem. a class i took last year used these .exe files, that ran in dos. there were like a graphic animated study guide for a electronics class i took. there ran fine on the lab computers. they ran fine on my roommates computers. but not on my laptop. i remember asking my teacher about the problem. he had no idea. and he is the one teaching A+, net+, ccna, ...ect. classes. so i figured he would. but no luck.

FYI: my brother and i both have the same dell inspiron 8200 laptops. and we both had the problem on those 8200 laptops.

i do still have a few of these .exe study guide files. just curious i tried one today and same old thing. screen goes black, freezes. you then have to exit like my brother posted above. if anyone would like to check out one of these .exe files i could email it to you. i dunno if it would help or not to figure out this problem.

help us out,
thanks,
brian

[RJ]

Well, a few years ago, when I was in school, we also programmed a program that operates via the COM port, and I programmed a graphical interface (well, a full screen with a picture and some buttons, and a mouse) in assembly language. It still works, and I am using Windows XP SP2.

I don't know now why yours doesn't work, but I suspect it's something with the laptop, not the program itself.
Anyway, if you like, you can send me the exe file, and also the source code, and I can take a look. I can also send you my little program, so you can check if it works on your laptop.

Have you already tried to program for DirectDraw ? That's the preferred method for displaying graphics in Windows rather than DOS, and should give you less problems (although the DOS programs still work for me).

RJ