Help and Support

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

Article ID:926657
Last Review:March 15, 2007
Revision:3.5

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.

Back to the top

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).

Back to the top

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 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/65416/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, A-K

60781 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60781/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, L-P

60782 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/60782/) Hardware and software vendor contact information, Q-Z

Back to the top


APPLIES TO
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Starter
Windows Vista Ultimate

Back to the top

Keywords: 
kbtshoot kbinfo kbprb kbexpertisebeginner KB926657

Back to the top

Article Translations

 

Other Support Options

  • Contact Microsoft
    Phone Numbers, Support Options and Pricing, Online Help, and more.
  • Customer Service
    For non-technical assistance with product purchases, subscriptions, online services, events, training courses, corporate sales, piracy issues, and more.
  • Newsgroups
    Pose a question to other users. Discussion groups and Forums about specific Microsoft products, technologies, and services.