Microsoft KB Archive/95631

= Changing or Reinstalling MS-DOS Shell Video Files =

Article ID: 95631

Article Last Modified on 10/14/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0a
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q95631



SUMMARY
MS-DOS Shell uses three files for its video display: DOSSHELL.VID, DOSSHELL.GRB, and DOSSHELL.INI. If you are having problems with your Shell video display, re-creating these files may correct the problem. Some common problems caused by corrupted or missing video files include:
 * Shell stops responding (hangs) when started
 * Video display corruption (garbage on the screen)
 * Video display related error messages

NOTE: The following steps are also necessary if you've changed your computer's video monitor type.



Changing or Reinstalling Shell Video Files
The following files can be found on your MS-DOS 5 Upgrade or MS-DOS 6 Upgrade disks. To use these files, they must be expanded and renamed (instructions below). They are listed by file type and display resolution (monitor type):   Monitor type      .VID file   .GRB file     .INI file -

Monochrome       (none)      MONO.GR_      MONO.IN_ CGA              CGA.VI_     CGA.GR_       CGA.IN_ EGA              EGA.VI_     EGA.GR_       EGA.IN_ EGA Monochrome   EGA.VI_     EGAMONO.GR_   MONO.IN_ VGA              VGA.VI_     VGA.GR_       EGA.IN_ VGA Monochrome   VGA.VI_     VGAMONO.GR_   MONO.IN_ 8514             8514.VI_    VGA.GR_       EGA.IN_ 8514 Monochrome  8514.VI_    VGAMONO.GR_   MONO.IN_ Hercules         HERC.VI_    HERC.GR_      MONO.IN_ NOTE: The 8514.VI_ file is not available on the MS-DOS 5 Upgrade disks; however, it is included with version 5.0a of MS-DOS 5 Upgrade and the MS-DOS 6 Upgrade.

You can find the location of these files by viewing the PACKING.LST file with MS-DOS Editor. If you are using MS-DOS 5 Upgrade, the PACKING.LST file is located in your DOS directory. If you are using MS-DOS 6 Upgrade, the PACKING.LST file is not copied to your DOS directory; however, it is located on Disk 1 of your MS-DOS 6 Upgrade disks.

Expanding New MS-DOS Shell Files
The following procedure should be used for your particular video display type, floppy disk drive configuration and MS-DOS location. VGA, floppy disk drive A, and the C:\DOS subdirectory are used only as an example:  Insert the MS-DOS Upgrade disk containing VGA.VI_ in drive A, type the following, and press ENTER:

expand a:\vga.vi_ c:\dos\dosshell.vid

 Insert the MS-DOS Upgrade disk containing VGA.GR_ in drive A, type the following, and press ENTER:

expand a:\vga.gr_ c:\dos\dosshell.grb

 Insert the MS-DOS Upgrade disk containing EGA.IN_ in drive A, type the following, and press ENTER:

expand a:\ega.in_ c:\dos\dosshell.ini



The next time you start MS-DOS Shell, the new video display configuration takes effect. If you still have problems with the display, make sure you configured the Shell video display files properly, or contact Microsoft Product Support Services.

Additional query words: 5.00 5.00a 6.00

Keywords: KB95631

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