Graphics Card causing problems with DOS Program

[moveit]

I have a couple of old Dos based programs, one being Cardboxplus which is a database that is quick and easy to use.
Last week I updated my motherboard. All the Dos based programs worked fine. Yesterday I updated my graphics card and all but Cardboxplus worked. When I start it the front screen comes up normal with the version and copyright. I then press the space bar to get into the database. It comes up saying the program has performed an illegal operation.
I have tried it in safe mode and followed the trouble shooting in 98 but still no joy. I can only think it has to do with the graphics card but I cannot understand why the other Dos software works especially as this one uses very little memory and is capable of working from a floppy drive. Any help would be very welcome as all my data is in this program.

 

[ski]

It appears that the new video card and that program do not like each other.
Reinstall the old video card to retrieve your data from that program, and reinstall the new video card.

 

[moveit]

I realize that the graphic card has problems with this one Dos program, SKI, but I need to upgrade the graphics card. Retrieving the data as you state does not allow me to use the data base program which is my main data base software. I believe the card and program should work together but I can't find how.

 

[smah]

How are you starting the database program? - with a .pif file or a .bat file? If with a batch file, check for a specific video setting (I can't remember what the exact dos commands were, but there was something) that could possibly be changed or removed. A .pif file will also have some video settings that you could try to work with.

You may also want to do some research on your video card. There may be a 'compatibility' mode for older dos programs. This might be a spefic commmand that would be added to the batch file that starts your database program.

 

[mainegeek]

Most Dos apps have a setup utility to detect Sound and Video where it creates a config file in the programs root.
Try un-installing and re-installing the program so it can create a config with the new video card.

 

[Rob2806]

I expect the problem is that the program requires a specific screen size. Scale down the screen size and colours until you can get the program to run.

 

[moveit]

The database program starts with a .com file which does not seem to give any indication that altering anything would help. The video card does not give any compatibility information. Changing the screen size has no effect, I still get the performed an illegal operation. I've even re-installed the video card software which is the latest from NVidia site. What is strange is that one of my other Dos programs is just as old but works without any difficulty. Thanks for help so far but more would be gratefully received.

 

[mattjurado]

Have you tried running in from DOS mode?

Matt J.

 

[moveit]

Yes. I have tried DOS mode as well as DOS prompt.

 

[Rob2806]

If you have run from the DOS prompt without starting windows then your problem is nothing to do with your video card. The problem is in the program itself.

 

[moveit]

I understand what you say Rob2806 but my problem only started when the video card was put in.

 

[mattjurado]

So go back to the old one as a test, if it still works okay, then its that card. If it doesn't then maybe reinstall the program, checkout your data, etc...

Matt J.

 

[mainegeek]

Your program is configured to use your old video card.
Un-install and re-install the program.

 

[moveit]

I have tried the old video card and the program works. I have also tried another make of card with the Nvidia chipset and that like my new card, does not work. Both of these cards are Gforce 4 FX. Re-installing the program has no affect.

 

[Rob2806]

I think you need to look at the difference between the two cards and find a way of making the new video card to behave in a similar way to the old card.

 

[rockerfellerz]

We run some old dos programs at work and it has become challenging to find newer vid cards that will work properly with them. Haven't tested the gf4's but we are running some geoforce 2's with out any problems(so far) Support for dos apps is a very low priority for vid card manufacturers...

If you're going through Hell...keep going... (Winston Churchill)
RocKeRFelLerZ

 

[moveit]

Hi rockerfellerz. My original video card was a GeForce 2 and I found no problem with it running old Dos programs. I updated the card because I updated the motherboard. I doubt you will have trouble with the GeForce 2 cards.

 

[Greatgazzoo]

You have missed the point a few times. Reinstall the software in a new directory using the new video card. Try running it. If it works then transfer your data into the new directory. The program sounds like it has configured the video driver to use specific information that doesn't exist in the new video card. If you don't have the software to reinstall it then you may be hooped in getting the program to work with the new card. Also many DOS based programs had a setup utility program to reinitialize settings. You could try that but I think reinstalling to a new directory is more secure as you will not harm the current data set.

 

[rockerfellerz]

I think he has tried the reinstall and it did not help. The shop we buy our computers from has copies of the dos apps we use to test them for compatibility with the vid cards they sell us. As stated the geoforce 2's work fine. I called and confirmed with them that the geoforce 4's will not work. According to them they are simply not compatible. What is wrong with using the geoforce 2's?

If you're going through Hell...keep going... (Winston Churchill)
RocKeRFelLerZ

 

[HKinNYC]

Wondering the same thing, is it a difference between PCI and AGP?

Why do you have to use a new video card with the new motherboard, just asking.

Try a different video chipset. ATI or Kryo or Savage4 or Matrox.