Fox Pro 2.6 for DOS and Win XP/2000

[daviddenver303]

I have a really old version of Fox Pro for DOS, version 2.6. It seems to run fine on a Windows 98 system but I can't get it to work correctly on Win XP or Win 2000.

Does anyone know if there is a patch I can download to fix this problem?

I realize this is a very old version of Fox Pro, but I really would like to get it working if at all possible.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

David

 

[rgbean]

David,
What doesn't work? Many of us are still using it on XP / 2000. There have been a number of threads here that address some specific problems (no mouse, full screen, locking up, etc.), just use the Advanced Search link above to find them. Note: Machines that start with XP/2000 or that had a clean install have had much better luck solving these problems, than those that have been "upgraded" from another OS.

Rick

 

[tilltek]

The main problem seems to be addressing the ports directly, which FPD2.6 does but Win XP won't allow.

Ken F

 

[rgbean]

You are correct - The NT based OSs (NT / 2000 / XP) do not allow direct access to any hardware - it's simply part of the design for better system stability and "sharing". DOS wasn't meant to share - one app at a time that can "control" everything. Any reason you can't just run the application under DOS?

Rick


Rick

 

[mys37]

HI David!

did u get division by zero error when trying to run ur version of foxpro on win xp or 2000?

 

[JRB-Bldr]

No one ever wants to hear this but I'd suggest that you strongly consider converting your DOS application to something that runs under Windows and can access the Windows printers.

As others have said and as has been said numerous times before in other postings -- Windows will not readily (or at all) support direct port (COMn & LPTn) access from older DOS programs.

Keep in mind that as Windows continues to evolve(??) it will be more and more difficult to support DOS applications. Now is the time to begin planning for the future and, at the same time, address your current printing problems.

Simplest Answer: Convert to Foxpro 2.6b for Windows
While admittedly a "dinosaur", it continues to work well. Your old DOS code will, in general, convert directly with little or no changes. You will want to remove the references to direct printer ports to allow Windows to use its own printer routing.

Best Answer: Convert to Visual Foxpro
Visual is today's Foxpro and it will support a whole host of new functionality. However making this conversion is typically a more complex effort -- especially if you want to implement enhanced functionality.

Good Luck,
jrbbldr
jrbbldr@yahoo.com