Windows XP mode problem

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Chainsaw

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 98679 3-Mar-2012 22:17

Win 7 x64
Installed XP mode, after having to get a hotfix from MS for AMD stuff.

I have an old CAD-type programme I want to use in XP mode, have lots of old data I still want to be able to access that nothing else can read.

When I try to run it in XP mode a dialogue box comes up titled "16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem", and then says "The video device failed to initialise for fullscreen mode. Choose 'Close' to terminate the application".

Any ideas what to try to solve this? Do I have to install my graphics drivers in XP?

It is a CAD thing, so drawing lines etc by clicking the mouse, and graphical calculations on-screen. Originally a DOS programme I think that ran okay up to WinXP.

gzt

10908 posts

Uber Geek

# 590126 4-Mar-2012 10:38

In the XP shortcut properties > options, try setting the window size to 'window'.

cyril7

6964 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

# 590132 4-Mar-2012 11:18

Hi, I still use some old cad packages and found DosBox worked well and let you use classic DOS graphic apps propoerly in a window, not too sure how it works on W7/64bit but it did get around lots of issues running on XP and let it run in a non full screen window like any windows app. I understand it works in Wn7/64

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dosbox/files/dosbox/0.74/DOSBox0.74-win32-installer.exe/download

Also note to increase the default screen size to a larger window size change to 1024x768 and change output from surface to overlay, these details will make sense if you go to the setup page.

Cyril

Chainsaw

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 590197 4-Mar-2012 15:34

dosbox runs it, most of it, until I go load one module (contouring). For some reason gets bumped out in that module with a "runtime error 6 at 0001:22FB"

gzt: not sure what you mean by "options". That isn't any of the tab headings in the Properties dialogue box.

gzt

10908 posts

Uber Geek

# 590420 5-Mar-2012 09:08

Chainsaw: gzt: not sure what you mean by "options". That isn't any of the tab headings in the Properties dialogue box.

My mistake. Use the properties of the EXE, it is on the screen tab. Also 'Window' is probably the default, so you want to try 'Full Screen'. Also try the options on the 'Compatibility tab'.

Sometimes the first EXE calls additional EXEs which also have to be set with whatever options they require.

If that fails, a google of the program name regarding this error might get helpful results - it is likely someone else has experienced this problem and solved it. Happy to help if you want to post the program name.

Chainsaw

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 590938 5-Mar-2012 22:23

Changed all exe files to Win95 compatibility. No go.
Googled it, only found a couple of references.
The prog is SDRMap, also known as TrimMap.

Sometimes I get "MAPMSG.386 Device Driver is not loaded".

gzt

10908 posts

Uber Geek

# 590942 5-Mar-2012 22:28

Suggest setting everything back the way it was, and following these instructions:

http://www.focussurveying.co.nz/trig/sdr.html

Chainsaw

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 591164 6-Mar-2012 12:06

Didn't find that - the thing is we use it fine here at work on Windows XP, don't have to touch anything, no compatibility modes or anything. I'll try following that when I get home, though won't hold my breath - cheers.

gzt

10908 posts

Uber Geek

# 591190 6-Mar-2012 12:30

Are you sure about that? It is common for legacy software to be configured and the the changes needed forgotten.

Another thing you could try in the virtual XP is changing the display adaptor driver to "Standard PCI VGA adapter" instead of the S3 driver used by VPC. I'm on Vista and I don't really recall the exact steps for that vs XP. Maybe someone else can help out there.

Booting XP in safe mode might use the standard VGA, so that is worth a go as well.

Btw, make sure you keep track of the config changes you are making trying just one thing at time, or you might not know when you have a fix if other changes make it not work.

Chainsaw

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 591540 7-Mar-2012 10:09

Yeah, nah.
No go. I think it's something to do with the graphics driver etc. (in my limited knowledge).
All we do to load the programme here is copy the whole folder across to another computer and wham, it goes! No "installation" required.

Can't see how to start XP mode in safe mode. You can only log off or on.

Frustrating thing is that Dosbox is so close to doing it. Does everything except that one, important, module.
Are there any others out there like dosbox?

gzt

10908 posts

Uber Geek

# 591641 7-Mar-2012 12:03

Can't see how to start XP mode in safe mode. You can only log off or on.

You could try start > run > msconfig > boot > [tick] 'safe mode' and / or 'base video'. Then restart from the XP mode menu. Just ticking 'base video' alone might give what you need, but try each, and.

Chainsaw

355 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 592549 8-Mar-2012 21:35

Installed VMware and Win98 under that. Just copied the programme files over I needed and away she goes!
Stuck at 800x600 on a 1920x1200 screen though. I know I can change my win7 to that first before I start but it's a bit of a hassle. Never mind, at least it works. Thanks for your help.