XP compatibility issue........

[Janitor Tzap]

Okay, here's the deal.

I have an old MS-DOS program that I run under Windows XP SP3.
The MS-DOS program is DESKMATE.

Up until a few months ago, I was able to run DESKMATE using XP's Compatibility Mode.

I will describe the symptoms to you.
I first try running the DESKMATE from the "RUN" box, by typing the program name and directory.
Exam: C:\Deskmate\Desk.exe
The screen flashes black for less than a second, and returns to the Desktop.
If I try running DESKMATE from the Command Prompt Window.
This results in a black screen with nothing else.
To get out of it, I need to Ctrl+Alt+Del to get the Task Manager up so I can close the Command Prompt Window.

I have run through all the settings.
Looked at the Command Prompt Window to see if I could find out if there is an irregularity in the VDM,
Autoexec, or Config files that would cause the program to stop working.
I found nothing that would account for DESKMATE not to run.

I then scoured Microsoft for a possible fix.
But they only talk about XP's Compatibility Wizard,
that I tried, and it failed to do anything to resolve the problem.

That, and they are talking about some software tool called (ACT), which is designed for IT specialists.

What is strange about this issue, is that I have another computer setup with Windows XP SP2, and DESKMATE runs fine on it.

I'm wondering if any of you are seeing problems with programs that were once working, suddenly aren't any more.

I have been getting the Monthly Microsoft Updates come in.
And I'm beginning to think that it's maybe one of the software patches.

Any thoughts or know of a fix?


Signed: Janitor Tzap

[cae2100]

have you tried reinstalling the deskmate program?
or maybe try running chkdisk?

[Janitor Tzap]

have you tried reinstalling the deskmate program?
or maybe try running chkdisk?

DESKMATE is so small I can run it off a 1.44 Meg Floppy.

I did run a ChkDsk, but the floppy checks fine.

Okay, why do I still use DESKMATE?

Well, I used it to make invoices.
And for what I do, it works great for that.

No, it's looking very much like Microsoft is phasing out backward compatibility.

EXAMPLE:
I got a Windows 7 *.docx that some one sent me, and I can't read it because I'm still using XP!

Signed: Janitor Tzap

[haklesup]

Tandy Deskmate!!

Since it used to work, it does not sound like a compatibility issue. Sounds like something got corrupted and is undetectable by chkdsk.

Can you run that same floppy on another system to rule that out. or zip and upload it for us to download and try on our systems. Does the program have any configurability (video drivers or modes in particular). Does it have a text CFG or INI file you can tinker with, try removing any config files and see if it starts with default settings.

You can always try a non destructive reinstall of windows, it might get you a few hours or running updates again but it should fix any OS level corruptions or settings faults.

Reference:
http://www.oldskool.org/guides/tvdog/deskmate.html

As for the docx issue (where did that come from) its easily fixed by running the patch for older versions of office. Its an MS Office thing not an OS thing.

If all else fails, go fire up an old PC and run DOS

[Janitor Tzap]

Yes.......
It's Tandy DeskMate 3.05!

I guess I need to go into greater detail here.

First off.
Tandy DeskMate 3.05 is on a 100Meg Zip Disk.
That I can easily move from one machine to another.

(#1) The One Computer's OS is Windows XP SP3; Plus update patches.

(#2) The Second Computer's OS is Windows XP SP2; No updates or patches.

(#1) Computer use to work just fine with the DeskMate 3.05 on the 100Meg Zip Disk.
Now it doesn't.

(#2) Computer will run the DeskMate 3.05 that is on the 100Meg Zip Disk.
Without any problems.

You can always try a non destructive reinstall of windows, it might get you a few hours or running updates again but it should fix any OS level corruptions or settings faults.

Hmmm...........
That sounds like an all day job.
But that sounds like a more likely solution to this problem.

As for the docx issue (where did that come from) its easily fixed by running the patch for older versions of office. Its an MS Office thing not an OS thing.

What???

Okay,
(#1) I don't have MS Office.
I have XP's Word Pad.

(#2) The "MicroSquishOffice2009.docx" can't be read by the older XP's version Word Pad.
But Windows 7's Version of Word Pad can.

If all else fails, go fire up an old PC and run DOS

The old Tandy 1000 is long gone......
But I still have DOS environment Emulator {DosBox} I can try.


Signed: Janitor Tzap

[cae2100]

sounds like something wrong with the #1 computer and may be fixed by cleaning out and reinstalling windows and such. also, check out openoffice.org, I believe it will open the docx files and is free to download and use.

[Ed446]

Have you tried to use a restore point for a date your program was working?
Edwin

[Janitor Tzap]

Have you tried to use a restore point for a date your program was working?
Edwin

That would be nice.....

But, I normally delete the old restore points once a month.
So, I'm out of luck there.

I'm going to probably need to restore the System Files, and the registry settings, to get the VDM to work again.
So, I can then run DeskMate.


Signed: Ensign Janitor Tzap