Can I run a DOS app in XP?

[TJohn]

My company currently uses accounting software that runs in a DOS window. We use Win98SE on those machines. I've tried to get the software to work on our XP machines but no go. Does anyone know a way around?

[DynamicTech]

a couple that spring to mind:
right click the command prompt shotcut, select properties, click the compatibility tab, check the run this program in comptibility mode for:
and select the version of windows you want to emulate. I have heard this is buggy, but I have not tried it for myself.
Another suggestion would be to create a CD with DOS on it that would run from your cd drive. You can include the program on the cd if there is enough room, and save any work you perform to hard disk or floppy.

[TJohn]

Thanks, I've tried your first option. Actually that is what the software's tech support recommended. That did not work.

I'm not sure if I could do the second. We have a few pc's networked using this software. I'm looking at the directory now and it's showing 101MB. So I could fit that and DOS on a CD. Would the networked pc's still be able to save work to that directory? And would each pc need to run it locally or could I use a shared CD drive?

[DragonNOA1]

I believe what you are looking for is called DOSBox. It emulates DOS and then you can start any program from within it. I believe this is what I have used at home to great success.

http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by DragonNOA1 I believe what you are looking for is called DOSBox. It emulates DOS and then you can start any program from within it. I believe this is what I have used at home to great success. http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

Thank you! I'll give it a try.

[sgtspector]

Another possible solution. It is a MS program that allows to emulate any number of oses on one without them being aware that they do not have exclusive control of the pc. Comes with a 45 day free trial. The down side is you must have a licensed version of whatever os you want to run. There are free dos oses out there too. Freesdos comes to mind. Good Luck

[TJohn]

Well I got dosbox installed and I'm able to run my dos app in XP! However, I had to copy all the app files over to an XP machine and point to .exe file locally. I can't get it to point to the .exe file on our networked win98 machine that app runs on??

[sgtspector]

That may be because dos is not "network aware" by itself. It needs a network OS to use networked drives.

[glc]

You should be able to do it if you map the drive in Windows and use that mapped drive letter to start the application.

[TJohn]

Originally Posted by glc You should be able to do it if you map the drive in Windows and use that mapped drive letter to start the application.

That worked thanks glc

[glc]

I'm anticipating the next question - now how do I print from it to the network printer? XP cannot capture a printer port through the GUI like 98.

You have to use the net use command at a command prompt.

net use lptx \\computername\sharename (x = 1, 2, or 3)

This has to be run every time the computer is restarted - you can write a batch or command file and put it in the startup.

[TJohn]

Indeed, that would have been my next question but it looks like the boss won't let me use dosbox. He's worried about compatability issues with our software. I don't really blame him since this software runs a big part of our business. Sooner rather than later however, we will need to move to a better product. The last time we needed to buy a new PC, I had to wipe XP off the machine and install 98SE LOL

[sgtspector]

Thats why i think MS VPC may be the answer to your problem. You can leave XP installed and use whatever other OS you want it thinks it's on there all alone.