1. changing console colors for dos apps in winxp
- Posted by jcmarsh Aug 25, 2008
- 1135 views
- Last edited Aug 26, 2008
To be fair, there is one DOS app I'd like to use again. It is an old text editor packed full with functionality, and with a proprietary macro language.
It does work.
Problem is, it is limited to the 16 basic DOS colors. They are unbearable for my eyes more than 10-15 minutes. When I had a vintage DOS machine, I could use an utility to remap the VGA colors. It just worked great. But it accesses the VGA card ports directly, and Windows wouldn't let it do that. I disassembled it, it is not too large, so I kow how it works.
[...]
If anyone knows how to tweak DOS basic colors under Winows XP, that would be cool. Perhaps then I can reengineer the program, either in Eu or any more suitable language. I don't for how long the IBM copyright is valid, but the driver is at least 20 year old.
CChris
One way is to tweak console colors is with regedit: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/58557.mspx
WinXP and Vista run in compatibility mode to run old DOS programs so this has to be taken into consideration as well. Try setting the compatibility to the last known OS that ran the program successfully.
You may have to tweak the shortcut properties you use to run the program as well. Windows may override VGA colors and other non-Windows settings when running the program. So set them in Windows so it knows how to run your program.
I may be able to be of more help if you give me a link to the program or a similar program that has the same problem.
2. Re: changing console colors for dos apps in winxp
- Posted by CChris Aug 27, 2008
- 1081 views
To be fair, there is one DOS app I'd like to use again. It is an old text editor packed full with functionality, and with a proprietary macro language.
It does work.
Problem is, it is limited to the 16 basic DOS colors. They are unbearable for my eyes more than 10-15 minutes. When I had a vintage DOS machine, I could use an utility to remap the VGA colors. It just worked great. But it accesses the VGA card ports directly, and Windows wouldn't let it do that. I disassembled it, it is not too large, so I kow how it works.
[...]
If anyone knows how to tweak DOS basic colors under Winows XP, that would be cool. Perhaps then I can reengineer the program, either in Eu or any more suitable language. I don't for how long the IBM copyright is valid, but the driver is at least 20 year old.
CChris
One way is to tweak console colors is with regedit: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/58557.mspx
WinXP and Vista run in compatibility mode to run old DOS programs so this has to be taken into consideration as well. Try setting the compatibility to the last known OS that ran the program successfully.
You may have to tweak the shortcut properties you use to run the program as well. Windows may override VGA colors and other non-Windows settings when running the program. So set them in Windows so it knows how to run your program.
I may be able to be of more help if you give me a link to the program or a similar program that has the same problem.
Thanks for the tip, I can modify the color the way you described. Gotta find the right mix again.
The next hurdle now is to have the thing work in fullscreen mode under XP. I hope I don't get Vista ever. Using a text editor in the small console window is as practical as you may imagine.
CChris
