Microsoft KB Archive/926657

Knowledge Base

Some 16-bit DOS-based Programs and the Command Prompt will not run in full-screen mode in Windows Vista

Article ID: 926657

Article Last Modified on 3/15/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Starter
• Windows Vista Ultimate

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SYMPTOMS

You may find that some 16-bit DOS-based programs do not run in full-screen mode in Windows Vista. You cannot set a Command Prompt (CMD) window to display in full-screen mode.

Note This symptom only applies to 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. 16-bit programs are not supported on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista.

CAUSE

The issue occurs because the Vista device drivers do not support running all of the DOS video modes. The Vista device drivers are based on the Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM).

WORKAROUND

You may be able to work around this problem by installing the Microsoft Windows XP version of the video drivers for your video adapter. Contact the manufacturer of your video adapter for more information about how to obtain the Windows XP version of the video drivers for your video adapter. For information about how to contact the manufacturer of your video adapter, click the appropriate article number in the following list to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

65416 Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z

Keywords: kbtshoot kbinfo kbprb kbexpertisebeginner KB926657

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