FPD 2.6 on Windows XP

[tilltek]

While most of my clients run Windows 95 and 98, even WFWG or just plain MSDOS, the inevitable is starting to happen as they buy new systems and are convinced by the sales people that XP is the only satisfactory choice.
I have read through the couple of dozen XP related questions in the FPD2.6 forum and it seems that my FPD program should run OK under XP, BUT....
The exception to this would appear to be "as long as you don't try to directly access the LPT or COM ports".

My program does just that.
First I set up the com port, then I redirect LPT2 to the com port (I use MODE).
For the sake of the guy who asked how...
MODE COM1 96,n,8,1
MODE LPT2 = COM1

Then in FPD I "SET PRINTER TO LPT2", and throughout the system use
??? "WHATEVER"+chr(13)+chr(10).
And to open the cash drawer ??? chr(7) or chr(27)+chr(7)

My question is this....
Is there any way I can continue as is, maybe dropping the MODE redirection and use "SET PRINTER TO COM 1"?
If so, how do I turn off spooling?
Win 98 has a "PRINT DIRECTLY TO PORT" and "DON'T SPOOL MSDOS JOBS" but I can't achieve the same in WIN 2000.
By the way, I already have a machine running Windows 2000.
Can I use that to test things out?
If things work out on Win 2000, can I assume they will work on XP? (I don't want to have to buy XP).

Is there anything else I need to know to run FPD under XP.
What is "COMPATIBILITY MODE" for instance.

I have tried VMWare (works great) but US$299 is a bit steep.

I realize I'm asking several questions here but I need to work something out, as it seems, do several other folks .

Changing to VFP is not an option just yet as I have around 100 clients running Pentium 100 or less.
Ken F

 

[tondi]

Tilltek,

It looks like we have the same challenge. I am however able to access the COM and LPT ports directly from the Command Prompt on XP in a DOS window but NOT from within FPD or FPW app. I am also able to print directly to LPT port (not to USB) from app.

The redirect of 'LPT to COM' (MODE Command) works but there is a full one minute hesitation before the drawer pops open.
Printing 'direct' and bypassing spooler didn't help.

Seems to me if I can send commands from command prompt, it should work from within Fox app.

So wazzzzzzzzzzz up? Does anyone know? Can anyone help?