DOS and windows program run together -> very slow!!

[Stoemp]

A weird thing going on here. We have a brand new computer with windows XP on it. We have an old software from the logistics firm we work with that runs in DOS mode. When we run that program together with some other software, both programs go extremely slow. Is there an explanation and / or solution for this. It's important that both programs can be open at the same time, because one program makes the delivery notes for our packets and the other program prints the labels for transportation.

Thanks,

Steven

 

[2ffat]

I've noticed that DOS program tend to want to consume more resources in Windows than most Window's programs do. There is a way of changing that. The following is from my help files:


To allocate system resources for an MS-DOS-based program and change its idle time
[ol][li]Open My Computer. [/li]
[li]Locate the MS-DOS-based program (.exe) file, the program information file (PIF), or shortcut you want to change. Please refer to the documentation that came with the program for the actual file name. [/li]
[li]Right-click the icon, and then click Properties. [/li]
[li]In Properties, click the Misc tab. [/li]
[li]Adjust the Idle sensitivity slider as follows: [/li][/ol]
[ul][li]To give a background program more resources, move the slider toward Low. [/li]
[li]To give a background program fewer resources, move the slider toward High. [/li][/ul]

Notes
[ul]
[li]To open My Computer, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop. [/li]
[li]You can specify how long an MS-DOS-based program will remain idle before reducing its computer resource allocation so that other programs can use the resources. [/li]
[li]This option might not be available in some MS-DOS-based programs. [/li]
[li]Creating a program information file (PIF) for an MS-DOS-based program creates a shortcut to the program executable. All the settings saved in the PIF file are contained in the shortcut. [/li]
[/ul]

I suspect you will have to "play" with the settings until you find the right combination.

James P. Cottingham

^{There's no place like 127.0.0.1.
There's no place like 127.0.0.1.}

 

[bcastner]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...55-b8a4-46cd-a236-3159970fde94&DisplayLang=en

 

[linney]

Any help here?

MS-DOS Applications run too slow in win XP
thread779-367825

http://www.tamedos.com/downloads/downloads.htm

314495 - How to Troubleshoot 16-Bit Windows Programs in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314495&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

314106 - Troubleshooting MS-DOS-Based Programs in Windows

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;314106&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[Stoemp]

2ffat,

it's a really detailed description of a solution you give here, but it seems I don't have the 'misc' tab in the properties of my shortcut. The shortcut points to a .bat-file that opens the program with some scripting. Do you know how I can do it with this kind of files?

Thanks,

Steven

 

[2ffat]

Did this file run OK on an earlier verison of Windows? If so, look at the Compatibility tab. Otherwise, you may have to create a PIF.

To create or change a program information file (PIF)
Prior to creating or making changes to the PIF, please review the MS-DOS-based program documentation. Changing the PIF affects how the program interacts with Windows. The program might only work correctly with specific default settings.
[ol]
[li]Open My Computer.[/li]
[li]Do one of the following:[/li]
[ul][li]If you want to create a program information file (PIF) for a program, locate the program and right-click it. Then click Properties and change the default settings to match the program requirements. [/li]
[li]If you want to change the settings of an existing PIF file, locate the shortcut to the program file and right-click it. Click Properties and make the appropriate changes.[/li][/ul][/ol]

Notes
[ul]
[li]To open My Computer, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.[/li]
[li]Creating a program information file (PIF) for an MS-DOS-based program creates a shortcut to the program executable. All the settings saved in the PIF file are contained in the shortcut. [/li]
[li]To specify whether an MS-DOS-based program starts in a full screen or in a window, change the Run properties on the Program (or Shortcut) tab. [/li]
[li]To view MS-DOS-based program output on the screen faster, after clicking Properties in step 2, on the Screen tab, select Fast ROM emulation under Performance. Please review the documentation that came with your video card to ensure it supports Fast ROM emulation. [/li]
[li]To increase the performance of the MS-DOS-based program, you can allocate more memory. To make this change, after clicking Properties in step 2, on the Memory tab, set Expanded (EMS) memory or Extended (XMS) memory to Auto, and no limit will be imposed. If you experience program errors, set the value in the Total window to 8192. For more information, click Related Topics. [/li]
[li]The Properties dialog box has replaced the PIF Editor used in earlier versions of Windows. [/li]
[/ul]

Your best bet if your own help files since the contain shortcuts and links to related info.

James P. Cottingham

^{There's no place like 127.0.0.1.
There's no place like 127.0.0.1.}

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;286705