Running older software in WIN98SE

[Stephen092578]

I am trying to run an older piece of software in Windows 98SE and my current desktop colours are set to 32,000. The bad news is this perticular piece of software requires max 256 colours. The problem is the security that is in place denies all start button, right click, and basically locks down the desktop. How do I get this program to run if the colours can not be changed? Is there a way of scripting in a batch file to change the colours to 256 and then return them once the program exits? I am at a loss here.

[galaxian]

"Who" put the security restrictions in place?

[Stephen092578]

I put the security restrictions in place because it is in a school environment and the students like to "play" a little to much. The security that is used is called Fortres http://www.fortres.com/. It is a restrictive security software that prohibits use of the system except for what is on the desktop, but scripts can run in the background but I don't have a clue what commands to use to change display settings for perticular software.

[GaryRouth]

That's somewhat pricey software: I'd think they'd be available for a phone call on this one. The details are undoubtably in the administrator's guide that came with the package, though it might take some searching. Your name, of course, would have to be on their contact list for them to release the information over the phone [there are no online manuals for the Fortres software, which enhances their security].

[Stephen092578]

I wish it was as easy as that. Fortres does lock down the computer but you can run batch files in the background to change Win98SE settings. This is what I am looking for. I can not give total access to the system because the computers will last about a week before they need to be reghosted. So anyone with information on creating a batch file to change from 32,000 colours to 256 on the fly without using the Display Properties dialog would be my new best friend.

[glc]

Is there any reason why you cannot just lock it down to 256 colors for everything? That would be the easy way. Also, can you exclude display settings from the Fortres lock? If the students screw that up, it's not hard to fix.

[Stephen092578]

Well setting the computer to 256 colours is really ugly and the colours are terrible. With Fortres installed there is no way to exclude the Display settings so they can be changed with Fortres engaged. Unless there was a way of creating a desktop icon just to change the colours back and forth from 256 to 32,000 to 256?

[glc]

You can place a shortcut to display properties on the desktop. Right click on Display in control panel, create shortcut.