Installing and Using MS-DOS Applications in Windows 95

This document contains basic installation instructions for installing MS-DOS based applications in Windows 95. This document assumes that the ‘Run MS-DOS Applications’ icon is installed on the Windows 95 desktop and is correctly configured with the CD-ROM and sound card drivers. If the icon is not installed or configured, please refer to document 3101 for setting up this icon. This document assumes the CD-ROM drive letter is D: and the hard drive is C:.

---

Finding Sound Card Settings

Before installing some MS-DOS applications, it may be necessary to know the specific hardware settings for the sound card. If you do not need to know the sound card settings, proceed to the next section, otherwise continue with the following steps.

1. Right click the mouse on the My Computer icon in the upper left hand corner of the screen. Click on Properties on the menu that appears on-screen.

2. The System Properties window appears. Across the top of the screen are four tabs: General, Device Manager, Hardware Profiles, and Performance. Click the Device Manager tab to open it. A list of the computers components appears on the left hand side of the screen.

3. Click the + symbol beside the Sound, Video and Application Controllers option to display the sound card type.

4. Click the sound card type to highlight it, then click the Properties button in the lower left hand side of the screen.

5. The sound card properties window appears. Across the top of the screen are three tabs: General, Driver, and Resources. Click the Resources tab to open it. This displays the settings for the sound card. Write down the sound card settings. Do not change any of the settings. Click the OK button on the bottom of the window to return to the Windows 95 desktop.

Preferred Method For Adding MS-DOS Applications

This procedure is the preferred method for adding all MS-DOS applications in Windows 95. If you add the application in this manner, Windows 95 configures the application with the settings it feels are necessary to make the application function properly. However, it isn’t fool-proof. If you experience difficulties accessing the application after using the Add/Remove option listed below, proceed to the ‘Alternate Method of Installing MS-DOS Applications’ section of this document.

1. Click the Start button in the lower left corner of the screen. Click the word Settings, then click the Control Panel icon.

2. In the Control Panel window, double click the Add/Remove Programs icon. The Add/Remove Program Properties window appears.

3. Across the top of the screen are three tabs: Install/Uninstall, Windows Setup, and Startup Disk. The Install/Uninstall tab is selected. Click the Install button in the upper left hand side of the screen to continue.

4. The Install Program From Floppy Disk or CD-ROM screen appears. Make sure the diskette or CD-ROM is inserted in the computer. The installation wizard will automatically find the executable file, such as INSTALL or SETUP, needed to proceed with the software installation. If the Installation Wizard does not fin the executable file, click the Browse button, locate the executable file, and click the OK button. Consult the manufacturers instructions for information on the command to install the program. Once you locate the installation file, click the Next button to continue.

5. The software installation program begins. Follow the application installation instructions. Write down the name of the directory that the program installs into, such as C:\APPX. This information will be used to create a shortcut to the application in the next step. Once the application finishes installing, click the X in the upper right hand corner of the active window to return to Windows 95.

Preferred Method of Creating a Shortcut for the MS-DOS Application

1. Right click the Start button in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Click the word Explore that appears on the menu. This opens the Explorer application.

2. A list of folders appears on the left hand side of the screen. Locate the folder name that matches the directory the application installed into, such as APPX. Double click this folder to open it. On the right hand side of the screen, the files in the directory appear.

3. Consult the manual or instructions that came with the application to find the command you would type to start the program if at a MS-DOS prompt. Now locate that file, which has the word Application beside it and right click the file. Click the words Create Shortcut that appears on the menu. A shortcut to this application is created within the directory. This Shortcut can be moved onto the Windows 95 desktop or to a folder on the Windows 95 desktop for easier access.

4. To move the Shortcut for the application to the desktop in Windows 95, simply click and drag it onto the desktop. To move the Shortcut into a folder on the desktop, right click the mouse on an open spot on the desktop. Click the word New that appears on the desktop, then click the word Folder. A folder called New Folder appears on the desktop. To change the name of the folder, right click it, then click Rename and type a new name.

5. To access the program, make sure the applications CD is in the CD-ROM drive if necessary. Double click the icon you just created to access the application.

If the application does not function properly, first check the documentation that came with the application for any troubleshooting tips. If you are still unable to run the application, proceed to the next section.

Alternate Method of Installing MS-DOS Applications

This section of the document assumes that the ‘Run MS-DOS Applications’ icon is installed on the Windows 95 desktop and it is functioning properly. If this icon is not on the Windows 95 desktop, refer to document 3101 for instructions on creating and configuring this icon.

1. Double click the ‘Run MS-DOS Applications’ icon on the Windows 95 desktop.

2. This will boot the computer into MS-DOS mode. At the C:\> prompt type the command, such as <DRIVE LETTER>:\SETUP or INSTALL, necessary to install the application. Consult the documentation that came with the application for this command. Note: Replace <DRIVE LETTER> with the appropriate letter the program installs from, such as A:\ or D:\.

3. When prompted for a sound card type, use the information found in the ‘Finding the Sound Card Settings’ section of this document.

4. When finished installing the application, exit the installation program. At the C:\> prompt type:

   exit

   and press Enter to return to Windows 95.

Alternate Method of Creating an Icon for the MS-DOS Application

1. Right click the ‘Run MS-DOS Applications’ icon on the Windows 95 desktop.

2. Click the word Copy that appears on the menu.

3. Right click again on an open spot on the Windows 95 desktop, then click the word Paste that appears on the menu. Another icon titled ‘Copy of Run MS-DOS Applications’ appears on the desktop.

4. Right click the ‘Copy of Run MS-DOS Applications’ icon, then click the word Properties on the menu that appears. Across the top of the screen are six tabs: General, Program, Font, Memory, Screen, and Misc. Click the Program tab to open it.

5. Click the Advanced button on the bottom center of the screen. The Advanced Program Settings window appears. Make sure the MS-DOS mode box is checked and Specify a new MS-DOS mode is bulleted.

6. Use the scroll bar to find the last line in the Autoexec.bat for MS-DOS mode window. Click the mouse on the first blank line at the bottom of the Autoexec.bat file. Type:

   CD\<DIRECTORY NAME>

   and press the Enter key to move to the next line. Now type:

   <APPLICATION START COMMAND>

   and click the OK button at the bottom center of this window.

   Note: Replace the <DIRECTORY NAME> with the name of the directory the application installed into and replace <APPLICATION START COMMAND> with the command needed to start the application. Consult the documentation that came with the application for these commands.

7. To further customize this icon, click the Change icon button in the lower right hand corner of this window and select a unique icon for this application. Once you finish this, click the OK button until you return to the Windows 95 desktop.

8. Right click the ‘Copy of Run MS-DOS Applications’ icon, then click the word Rename on the menu that appears. Now type:

   <name of the application>

   and press Enter to rename this icon. Note: replace <name of the application> with a unique name so you can easily identify the icon for the application.

9. Whenever you wish to play the application, simply insert the CD in the CD-ROM drive and double click the icon. When you finish running the application, exit according to the application instructions. Now type:

   Exit

   at the C:\> prompt and press Enter to return to Windows 95.

The information in these articles is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind, and all warranties are hereby disclaimed, whether express or implied, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. Gateway 2000 will not be liable for any damages whatsoever, whether direct, special, indirect, incidental, or consequential (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of, or related to your use of, or inability to use the information in any such article, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Because some states and jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you. You may not further distribute, reproduce, rent, sell, transfer or license these articles.

If our documentation hasn't helped you,
this might be a good time to send
an e-mail to Technical Support.

Copyright © 1996 Gateway 2000 Inc. All rights reserved.
Please see our Legal Information. Please send feedback to Webmaster Central.