DOS
Emulator for Windows XP
Ben Sternberg (University of
Arizona), a long time colleague and friend, has discovered a very
good DOS emulator after trying out maybe 20 packages. It is GNU
freeware and can be found at http://dosbox.sourceforge.net.
We do not have a lot of experience
with this yet but we suggest our DOS users download and try it out.
Installing
and setting up a shortcut for Interpex DOS software
in Windows XP
Windows XP is significantly different
from other operating systems to date. DOS programs can be run under
Windows XP but those that require more than 1024kb of memory will
have problems unless they are set up correctly.
In addition, hardware keys cannot be accessed unless drivers
are installed as discussed below.
There are probably several ways to do
set up a DOS shortcut, but one that works is as follows.
-
Set up a command prompt shortcut on your
desktop.
-
Right click on the shortcut.
-
Click on Properties.
-
Select the Compatibility Tab on the far
right.
-
At the bottom, it says “Learn more about program
compatibility”. Click on “program
compatibility”.
-
This brings up the documentation on the
Program Compatibility Wizard. Click on “Program Compatibility
Wizard”
-
Click on Next and then select the last item: “I want to locate the program
manually” and click Next again.
-
Use the Browse button and find the DOS
program in question, for instance C:\TEMIX\TMXRUN.EXE or perhaps
C:\RESIXP\RESIXP, then
click on Open.
-
Click on Next and select “Microsoft
Windows 98 / Windows Me” from the list of compatibility
mode choices. Click on Next.
-
Do not select any display settings. Click
on Next. Click on Next again. This should show a window
displayed by (for instance) TEMIX saying FAILED PROTECTION
CHECK.
-
Take the default “Yes, set this
program to always use these compatibility settings” and click
on Next. Select Yes or No as desired to send the information to
Microsoft and click on Next. Then click on Finish.
-
To create a desktop shortcut, open Windows
Explorer and go to the directory containing the program (for
instance, C:\TEMIX). With the right mouse button, right-drag the
BAT file (for instance, TEMIX.BAT) onto the desktop. Release the
right button and select “Create shortcuts here”. Now double
clicking on this shortcut should run the program.
Installing drivers for hardware keys
We use hardware keys from Az-Tech. Older keys are called
iButton keys and they have a round button, about 5/8" or 1.7 cm
diameter clearly visible in a black parallel case. Newer keys are
called Rockeys and are either black parallel keys or colored USB
keys. The older iButton keys sometimes work with XP and sometimes
not.
If you have already connected
the key and if Windows already "found new hardware"
and installed it (thinking it knew what it was), you will have to
go to the device manager to uninstall the device driver for this
before installing Azsetup. Right-click on "My Computer",
select "Properties" then go to the hardware tab and
click on the "Device Manager" button. Devices that are
not working properly are shown in yellow. Find the device,
right-click on it and select uninstall. Then disconnect the key
and restart your computer.
If you are using a USB key,
it has a light on it. When connected, the light should come on
and stay on. When the key is accessed (when you run the
software), the light will flicker. If the key is not installed
properly, it will blink continuously.
If you are using an iButton key,
you must follow the instructions below regarding setting up the USERPORT.
Az-Tech says that this should
work with iButton keys. However, we have had mixed results. If
it does not work, then you must run the software on a computer
having Windows 98 or earlier, or you must upgrade your hardware
key to a new Rockey.
Upgrades from iButton keys to Rockeys are the cost of
upgrading your software to the newest version or US$150, whichever
is greater. We can supply USB or Parallel port keys. USB keys are
more popular. Shipping charges vary by your location and cost
around $50 to $100. You must return your old hardware key.
Setting up the USERPORT for iButton keys:
1) Stop UserPort.
2) Uninstall setup32, if installed (identified as "EVERKEY"
in "add and remove programs").
3) Uninstall Az-Tech Dev. Drivers.
4) Reboot.
5) Insure your Virus program is not running.
6) Install latest Azsetup.exe.
7) Start UserPort (if using iButton).
8) Reboot.
