Why can't a DOS program (that runs in VGA mode) be run in a window?

[98 Guy]

Is there a fundamental reason why a dos progam that switches the display
to 640 x 480 x 16 color VGA mode can't run in a resizable (or even fixed
size) window on either win-98 or XP? But instead it must run in
full-screen mode?

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <4903AAA0.7806FB3C@guy.com>, 98 Guy <98@guy.com> writes
>Is there a fundamental reason why a dos progam that switches the display
>to 640 x 480 x 16 color VGA mode can't run in a resizable (or even fixed
>size) window on either win-98 or XP? But instead it must run in
>full-screen mode?

The DOS prog. expects to directly control the video hardware. The later
operating system can _sometimes_ _simulate_ a real system as far as the
DOS prog. is concerned, but not always.

Have you tried Alt-Enter to toggle between full-screen and windowed when
the DOS prog. is running?

(Do you have a particular DOS software in mind - if so, what?)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL(+++)IS-P--Ch+(p)Ar+T[?]H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
Lada for sale - see www.autotrader.co.uk

This trip should be called "Driving Miss Crazy" - Emma Wilson, on crossing the
southern United States with her mother, Ann Robinson, 2003 or 2004

 

[thanatoid]

98 Guy <98@guy.com> wrote in news:4903AAA0.7806FB3C@guy.com:

> Is there a fundamental reason why a dos progam that
> switches the display to 640 x 480 x 16 color VGA mode can't
> run in a resizable (or even fixed size) window on either
> win-98 or XP? But instead it must run in full-screen mode?

IME, right clicking will bring up properties where you can set
the window size, fonts, etc.
It may not work for ALL programs, depending on your OS and the
humidity in Redmond that day.

--
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votes decide everything.
- Josef Stalin

NB: Not only is my KF over 4 KB and growing, I am also filtering
everything from discussions.microsoft and google groups, so no
offense if you don't get a reply/comment unless I see you quoted
in another post.