runnin a dos game on ntfs

LightningLockey · Post by **LightningLockey** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:31 pm

Hello,

I recently got an older game that runs on dos, it won't run using the autoexe.nt file. The error message is C:\WINDOWS\System32\autoexec.nt. The system file is not suitable for running ms-dos and mcirosoft windows applications. IF I chose 'close' or 'ignore' it terminates the app.

My operating system is Windows XP home with NTFS as my file system. I figure this is the problem. Is there a known program or way I can get this game to run on NTFS?

Thanks

J-high · Post by **J-high** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:50 am

Right click on the .exe, select properties, select the compatablity tab and set it to Dos compatible.

That should work for you.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:49 am

Several things you can do....

For one, I've never seen a DOS app act odd simply because of NTFS. But some DOS apps require various compatiblity tweaks. WinXP has a few extra tricks, to try in that compatiblity tab of the shortcut.

Also with Windows NT, it ignores the normal autoexec.bat and config.sys files that Win9X used in the root of the C partition. Windows NT will set DOS environment variables in different files, located in C:\Windows\System32...the autoexec.nt and config.nt

You can also, in the shortcut compatiblity, redirect it to pay attention to different autoexec and config files.

Last but not least, I've resorted to using this free program to wrestle some super pain in the butt DOS programs under control and have them run under Win2K/XP. It's called "Dosbox". I recently used it at a nursing home client of mine not long ago, they (still) use this ancient accounting program called Abacus. I tried all the usual tricks I'd done in XP, QFixapp, compatibility toolkit, all sorts of various modes in the shortcut...no luck, kept giving me EMM required but not found messages. This puppy solved my issues wonderfully.

http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

LightningLockey · Post by **LightningLockey** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:38 pm

The only compatability settings that there are range from win 95 to 2000, there is no DOS compatability.

How exactly do I redirect it to pay attention to different autoexec and config files? I don't have an "open with" when I right click it. However; I have it every other program for some reason.

As for that dosbox, I can't get out of the Z: drive, and I've done what the program tells me to do using the intro command. I've tried to mount C:\ and chdir C:\ and I've gotten no where fast. I'm trying to get to a file that is on C:\documents and settings\user\desktop and it is saying that the file doesn't exist or unable to change directory?

EDIT: Ok, figured the problem out. Wasn't using caps, but I really don't remember using caps back in the dos days. Amazing what the point-n-click era does to you lol.

Thanks for your help with this.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 5:26 am

Is it working in the DosBox now?

LightningLockey · Post by **LightningLockey** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 2:45 pm

Sort of, it has a habit of freezing though in the middle of gameplay. It is random when it happens though and frusterating.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:04 pm

Yeah...as the years go by and OS's evolved....support for legacy hardware and software becomes more and more sparse.

Try disabling antivirus real time protection while playing (and DON'T leave things running the connect with the internet and may receive files, like IM programs, e-mail clients, or those P2P warez sharing apps)....just remember to enable it again once done playing.