[From Bruce Nevin (2001.08.07 13:14 EDT)]
I was interested in working through the code, so I hadn't tried running it.
I tried following the installation instructions in the Word document Squari~1.doc and found some differences for NT 4 that may also apply to Windows 2000, since W2K is basically a merger of NT and W98. I ran it successfully on my W98 box, but not yet under NT. Under NT, ntvdm.exe consumes 99% of CPU and the cursor blinks in the upper left corner of a blank DOS box until you kill that process. It may be necessary to bring the PC up in DOS mode (which you can do with NT and I assume with W2K).
Here are those instructions from the Word file, slightly amended to match what I see, and with the trouble spot annotated.
1. Copy or move that program file to the folder where you want to keep it permanently. Be sure to copy any file ending in .bgi to the same folder. Write down the path to this folder.
2. RIGHT-click on SQRCIRC.EXE in that folder.You will see a drop-down menu.
3. RIGHT-click "Make Shortcut". A file named "Shortcut to Sqrcirc.exe" appears.
4. RIGHT-click the short-cut, then click "Properties" (with either button).
5. At top of new window, LEFT-click the "Program" tab.
6. Make sure the "Close on exit" box near the bottom of the window is checked. If not, click it so that a check-mark appears.
7. Make sure the path to the present folder appears in the box labeled "Working".
.............................................
The next two steps presently say:
8. LEFT-click on button marked "Advanced." New window appears.
9. LEFT-click on any checked boxes until no boxes remain checked.
We need to know what these check boxes are, because it varies from one version of the OS to another. Here is what I have been able to find out about NT 4 inductively. It may apply to W2K.
On NT there is no "Advanced" button. However, I have a W98 box connected on a LAN that can look at my NT disk. Bringing up Properties for this executable I see the Advanced button. The check boxes are:
Prevent MS-DOS-based programs from detecting Windows.
Suggest MS-DOS mode as necessary.
MS-DOS mode.
Only the third one was not checked. When I checked it, the first two options above are grayed out, and the options below it became available (they had been grayed out). They are:
Warn before entering MS_DOS mode.
@ Use current MS-DOS configuration.
0 Specify a new MS-DOS configuration.
When I applied these changes and returned to the Program tab, a new sentence was displayed at the bottom:
"This program is configured to run in MS-DOS mode. Click the Advanced button for configuration options."
However, when I look at the Misc tab it says "Properties not supported in MS-DOS mode are not available" so I'd be unable to do Step 13 etc.
When I look at properties under NT 4, I see no mention of running in MS-DOS mode. I gather from the above behavior that I do *not* want to check the MS-DOS mode box -- so I don't want to check all the boxes.
.............................................
10. LEFT-click on OK at bottom. Former window appears.
11. At top, LEFT-click on tab labeled "Screen".
12. At top left, LEFT-click on round button "Full Screen"
13. At far top right , LEFT-click on tab MISC; new screen appears.
14. LEFT-click on Mouse: Exclusive Mode, at upper right.
15. LEFT-click on OK at bottom of this screen. Properties screen disappears.
16. To have this shortcut on your desktop, just drag and drop it there.
···
-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=--=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=--=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=--=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-
Here's what seems to be the most pertinent NT Help topic:
To optimize an MS-DOS program
1 In My Computer, click the icon for the program.
2 On the File menu, click Properties.
Notes and Tips
The Properties dialog box replaces the PIF Editor used in earlier versions of Windows.
When you change any settings in the Properties dialog box, a PIF (program information file) is automatically created.
The settings you specify will be used each time you start the program by double-clicking its icon. If you start the program from a Command Prompt window, these settings won't be used.
To specify whether an MS-DOSbased program starts in a full screen or in a window, change the Run properties on the Program tab. Note that some MS-DOSbased programs cannot run in a window.
Select the Fast ROM emulation check box if you want the program to write to the screen faster. Clear this check box if your program is using nonstandard functions in ROM, or if you experience problems with the program writing text to the screen.
If you set Expanded (EMS) memory or Extended (XMS) memory to Auto, no limit will be imposed. If your program has difficulty coping with no limit, set the value to 8192.
For Help on an item, click at the top of the dialog box, and then click the item.
At 18:29 08/06/2001 -0600, Bill Powers wrote:
[From Bill Powers (2001.08.06.1827 MDT)]
Bruce Nevin (2001.08.06 17:00 EDT)--
>Very cool, Bill -- Thanks!
I forgot to mention that it also contains a model that can substitute for
the human participant. Just type M or m. Jeff Vancouver used the old "Oh,
you can't do that" ploy to get me to include it.
Best,
Bill P.