How can I run a DOS program in custom size window?

[neljan]

Hello all,

I have an old DOS game which when run goes automatically into full screen mode. As the game is old, it looks pretty crap in full screen, so I want to be able to run it in a smaller window. The only 2 choices I have are full screen or minimised to the taskbar when I hit the windows button.

I know DOS programs look for the config.sys/autoexec.bat (in Window's System32 folder) prior to launch, so is there some kind of command I need to put there?

Any help, even if it's to tell me it's not possible, would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[WillyW]

 The only 2 choices I have are full screen or minimised to the taskbar when I hit the windows button.

Not that this will solve it - starting in a window, that is -   but what happens if you hold down     Alt      and hit    Enter     ?

I expect that to toggle from windowed to full screen and back.

[neljan]

Thanks for your help...

Just tried it & Alt+Enter has the same affect as hitting the window's key (minimizes to the taskbar & back).

[WillyW]

Thanks for your help...

Just tried it & Alt+Enter has the same affect as hitting the window's key (minimizes to the taskbar & back).

I expect that you are using WinXP.   Correct?

Not that that is the problem -  just that I don't have it to experiment with for you.

While it is in the taskbar,  can you right click on it and get a pop up menu?     ....trying to get you into the  Properties  section.... maybe you'll find something in there to alter this behavior.

Or even  right click->Restore.

[neljan]

Yep, using XP pro.

I've already toyed with all the settings with regards to properties/compatibilities for running the game with no luck. It seems that any changes to the DOS window settings I make are irrelevant, as when the game begins, the DOS command prompt box is automatically minimized & the game takes over the screen?

So, when I run the DOS game from a windows shortcut, I get a DOS box appear very briefly, then it minimizes automatically to the taskbar, and the game appears in full screen.

Would there be a command prompt command prefex I could use or something?

[2k_dummy]

Try opening a command window first, then start the program inside the command window.

[neljan]

Tried that, has the same affect.

Thanks for your help...

[2k_dummy]

Maybe you can sneak up on it. Do you happen to have a W98 machine available or know someone who does?

[WillyW]

Try opening a command window first, then start the program inside the command window.

This is what I was thinking, as I caught up with reading.
I see it has already been exhausted.

hmm...


Regarding Win98,   that's what I do have.   What did you have in mind?   anything I can experiment with, to try to aid the original poster?
The original poster has the dos program, but not Win98 I suppose.  And I'm the other way around.  

[WillyW]

- - -
as when the game begins, the DOS command prompt box is automatically minimized & the game takes over the screen?

Any config options in the game?   If so,  have you been through them carefully?

So, when I run the DOS game from a windows shortcut, I get a DOS box appear very briefly, then it minimizes automatically to the taskbar, and the game appears in full screen.

Would there be a command prompt command prefex I could use or something?

I don't know.   But you've caused me to remember the   Start   command.
Tried it yet?

http://www.computerhope.com/starthlp.htm      for details and command line switches.

At this point, I'm not holding my breath -  but it sure can't hurt to try it.


I'm thinking that the game is hardwired that way, and possibly there is no way around it.

[patio]

And after 9 posts we stilll don't have a clue as to what game this is...

[2k_dummy]

The reason I asked about the availability of W98 is that you can copy any .pif file and add it to the XP desktop. Then you modify it so that it points to the the desired program and directory. This will give the same properties options as under W98, which should have the option of running the program in a window. I have done this with some DOS programs but cannot say with certainty that it will work with ALL DOS programs. The only way to know is to try it.

[neljan]

Do you happen to have a W98 machine available or know someone who does?

W98 machine? No... I guess I don't  :-?

Regarding Win98,   that's what I do have.   What did you have in mind?   anything I can experiment with, to try to aid the original poster?
The original poster has the dos program, but not Win98 I suppose.  And I'm the other way around.

It would seem. I can give you a download link to the DOS game in question & you could see if you can using W98?

Any config options in the game?   If so,  have you been through them carefully?

No, there's no config options.

I don't know.   But you've caused me to remember the   Start   command.
Tried it yet?

Hmmm... to be honest there doesn't look like there are any variables applicable (just maximized/minimized)

I'm thinking that the game is hardwired that way, and possibly there is no way around it.

I'm starting to think that myself, If you guys can't help me, I'll look into how I can hack the game which will probably take me 6 years.

And after 9 posts we stilll don't have a clue as to what game this is...

Championship Manager 93 - You don't want to help me now do you?  

The reason I asked about the availability of W98 is that you can copy any .pif file and add it to the XP desktop. Then you modify it so that it points to the the desired program and directory. This will give the same properties options as under W98, which should have the option of running the program in a window. I have done this with some DOS programs but cannot say with certainty that it will work with ALL DOS programs. The only way to know is to try it.

Sounds promising, but I don't even know what a W98 is? I'm presuming it's an abbreviation for Windows 98? Is it not possible to download this .pif file? Is there such a thing as a W98 machine? I thought Windows 98 was just an OS??? confused.

Hey, thanks for your patience...

And thanks for all your help guys! keep it coming huh?

[WillyW]

The reason I asked about the availability of W98 is that you can copy any .pif file and add it to the XP desktop. Then you modify it so that it points to the the desired program and directory. This will give the same properties options as under W98, which should have the option of running the program in a window. I have done this with some DOS programs but cannot say with certainty that it will work with ALL DOS programs. The only way to know is to try it.

Sounds promising, but I don't even know what a W98 is? I'm presuming it's an abbreviation for Windows 98? Is it not possible to download this .pif file?

It sounds to me like WinXP does not allow you to make .pif files in the same manner as Win98 does.    
Yet it allows you to edit and use one,  if you have one.
2k_dummy:  is that the idea?


If so,   ... sure I can make you a .pif file.   No big deal.    
Click on    PM    down at the end of this post, and send me a PM with your email address.      I can make one that points at some temporary batch file, and email it to you.     It will be useless if you cannot edit it.     For all I know, it still might be useless....  
But it won't hurt to try.

Is there such a thing as a W98 machine?

Some museums of ancient history have them, IF they can find one that has not rusted away, or simply rotted to dust.

Then again,  there is here.    I[/i] have one.  

I thought Windows 98 was just an OS???

"just"  ?   "just" ??  
<sniff>  So that's what you think of my computer, eh?


 

[2k_dummy]

It sounds to me like WinXP does not allow you to make .pif files in the same manner as Win98 does.    
Yet it allows you to edit and use one,  if you have one.
2k_dummy:  is that the idea?

Right on, Willy.