Software of the Month Club 1998 March/Software of the Month Club 1998 March.iso/pc/dos/edu/create/windows.txt

Text File | 1996-12-18 | 8KB | 129 lines

RUNNING DOS PROGRAMS FROM WINDOWS

   Be aware that not all DOS programs can be run from Windows. Technical
conflicts may prevent some DOS programs from running correctly, or at all,
in the Windows environment, or may lead to system errors under specific
conditions.
   Nevertheless, many DOS program will run correctly under Windows. To the
best of our knowledge, all current R.K. West products can be run from
Windows 3.1 or Windows 95.

RUNNING A DOS PROGRAM UNDER WINDOWS

   Don't use the MS-DOS prompt icon in Windows! While this works well with
some programs, on many systems you will get better results running the
program directly from Windows.
   In Windows 3.1 use File Manager or Program Manager to find and run DOS
programs. In Windows 95 use Windows Explorer.

SIZING THE WINDOW

   When you run a DOS program under Windows, it may appear as a full-screen
application. To convert it to a smaller window, press the ALT and ENTER
keys at the same time.
   Although this window will not behave exactly like one that contains a
true Windows program, it can be minimized and moved. Remember that you
still must "Exit" or "Close" the DOS program as you normally would under
DOS, before you exit Windows.

PERMANENTLY ADD A DOS PROGRAM TO WINDOWS 3.1

   1. Starting at Program Manager, open the program group where you want to
add the new program. For example, you probably have a program group called
Applications. If this group is not already opened, double-click on its icon
to open it. (It's also possible to create a new program group. See your
Windows manual for details.)
   2. Click on File, then Click on New. You will see a dialog box that asks
you to choose between "Program Group" or "Program Item". Choose "Program
Item" and then click OK.
   3. The next dialog box asks you for a Description. This is usually the
program name, such as Personal Tarot or M-Plus.
   Next, you are asked for the Command Line. This is the same command you
would enter if you were starting from a DOS prompt, and should include the
full path name -- that is, the name of the subdirectory plus the program
name. For example, if you have a program called MPLUS.EXE which resides in
a directory called MPLUS, you would enter this command line:
\MPLUS\MPLUS.EXE
   If you don't know the directory name, click on the Browse button. You'll
be able to scroll through all the directories on your hard disk until you
find what you are looking for. Double-click on the file name, and it will
be placed in the Command Line space.
   Next, you are asked for the Working Directory. This is the directory
where the program will find or create files. In most cases, this is the
same directory as the one that contains the program itself.
   Next, you are asked for the Shortcut Key. This is not required, and in
most cases you will probably choose None. (For details on choosing and
using a shortcut key, click on Help or see your Windows manual.)
   You can choose "Run Minimized" which means the application will
automatically be reduced to an icon when it starts. In most cases you will
probably not want to choose this.
   Windows will select a plain MS-DOS icon as the default for this program.
If you would like a more interesting icon, click on Change Icon. You'll see
a message telling you there are no icons available for the program. Don't
be bothered by this message! Click OK. You will now see a little window
showing you some icons. You can click on the left and right arrows to
scroll through all the available icons. When you find one you like,
double-click on it.
   Now click OK.
   4. The icon for your program has now been added to the program group.
Whenever you want to run this program, just double-click on the icon. The
program will start, and should appear as it normally does when run from a
DOS prompt. It will probably appear as a full-screen application. To place
it in a smaller window, press the <ALT><ENTER> key combination. This window
can now be minimized and moved much as it would be with a Windows
application.

PERMANENTLY ADD A DOS PROGRAM TO WINDOWS 95

   1. Using Windows Explorer, click on the icon for your hard disk. Then
click on File, choose New, and choose Folder. (Note that "folder" is the
name Windows 95 uses to refer to a directory.) "New Folder" will appear
in the list of files and folders in the right-hand frame. Type the name you
actually want to give to the folder, and press <ENTER>. For example, if you
are installing M-Plus, you might want to name the folder MPLUS.
   2. If the left-hand frame (where the drives are listed) does not show
the names of the folders that belong to the hard disk, double-click on the
hard disk icon so that they are displayed.
   Put the floppy disk into the drive, and click on the icon for the floppy
drive. You will see a list of all the files on the floppy. Click on Edit,
then Click on Select All. The names of all the files on the floppy should
now be highlighted.
   Use the mouse to "drag" the highlighted group of files from the
right-hand frame to the name of your new folder in the left-hand frame. If
all goes well, you will see a little animation indicating that the files
are being copied from the floppy to the folder.
   3. When the files are all copied, close Windows Explorer. Click on
Start, then click on Settings, then choose Taskbar.
   Click on the "Start Menu Programs" tab. The click on Add.
   In the "Command Line" box, enter the full path name of the program --
that is, the name of the folder plus the program name. For example, if you
have a program called MPLUS.EXE which resides in a folder called MPLUS,
you would enter this command line: \MPLUS\MPLUS.EXE
   If you don't know the path name, click on the Browse button. You'll be
able to scroll through all the folders on your hard disk until you find
what you are looking for. Double-click on the file name, and it will be
placed in the Command Line space.
   Click on Next. You may be asked to select a folder for the shortcut. For
example, if you have groups of programs listed in categories such as
"Games", "Applications", "Accessories", etc., you can choose one of those
folders, or you can create a new folder. (This is similar to choosing
program groups under Windows 3.1.)
   You'll be asked to select a name for the shortcut. In most cases, you
will choose to use the program name. Then click on Next.
   Next, you'll be asked to select an icon. The standard icons offered by
Windows 95 are limited and pretty silly, but go ahead and pick one anyway.
Then click on Finish.
   4. If you want to add the program to the desktop, use Windows Explorer
to find the folder that contains the program. If necessary, make sure you
resize the Explorer window so that at least part of the Desktop is
showing. Highlight the program file (the file with the EXE extension).
Click on File, then select Create Shortcut. A duplicate of the program will
now appear. Use the mouse to drag the duplicate to the desktop.
   Note: Windows Explorer doesn't always bother to tell you the extensions
of filenames! If you have several files with similar names, such as
MYPROG.EXE, MYPROG,DOC, MYPROG.HLP,  etc., this can be very confusing.
   To correct the problem, open Windows Explorer. Click on View, then Click
on Options. Select the "View" tab. You'll see a checkbox labeled "Hide
MS-DOS file extensions for file types that are registered." UN-check this
box, then click OK. You will now be able to see all the filename
extensions.