Using a CONFIG.SYS definition in XP

[CruiseMan]

I have an old application (DOS) that ran in a command window in Windows 98 that used a special driver to communicate with the COM1 port. The application required the driver to be declared in CONFIG.SYS (example):

DEVICE=C:\COMMDRV.ONE 4096,1

Due to hardware problems, I am moving the application to a Win XP Pro box. However, in XP the Communication with COM1 does not appear to be working now. Does anyone know of a trick I can use to emulate the Config.sys device load in XP?

 

[vacunita]

Make a shortcut to command.com, and then point its configuration file to your own custom config.sys.


Right Click on the command.com shortcut, click on the Program tab, and then on the Advanced button, and set the path to your own file that contains the driver initialization string you need.

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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

[xwb]

Just to reiterate: make sure it is command.com: not cmd.exe

 

[BadBigBen]

and if that does not work, then consider running that application under a virtual DOS environment on VirtualBox or try it under DOSBox...


DOSBox

http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[webrabbit]

In Windows XP and later, COMMAND.COM just calls CMD.EXE.

 

[vacunita]

Nope that's wrong webrabbit, Command.com does not call cmd.exe in Windows XP.

In fact they are 2 different things.
Command.com brings up the DOS Compatibility shell, while cmd.exe brings up the Windows 5.1 Command Prompt

Command.com can be customized as said above with a configuration file, while cmd.exe cannot.

The behave differently to each other also. And allow for different things.

For instance: While cmd.exe displays filenames longer than 8 characters command.com has to use the abbreviated format.

Command.com also allows for memory management while cmd.exe does not.

----------------------------------
Phil AKA Vacunita
----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/