Maximum Video Resolution for MS-DOS Apps in Windows

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q68830
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows version 3.0 does not support video resolutions beyond the VGA standard of 640 x 480 for MS-DOS applications running in enhanced mode. Video devices such as the IBM 8514 (or 8514/a) graphics adapter can display applications at resolutions up to 1024 x 768. MS-DOS applications running at this resolution in the enhanced mode of Windows use more video memory than is available. This can cause Windows to stop responding (hang or lock up).

MORE INFORMATION

For example, when using the View Document feature in WordPerfect version 5.1 with an IBM 8514/A graphics adapter, the WordPerfect program may hang or display an error message. Similar problems occur using a graphics mode in Microsoft Word version 5.0 or 5.5. The View Document feature (or graphic modes used in some MS-DOS applications) use more video memory and video resources than text mode.

If you experience problems running MS-DOS applications in Windows, try the following workarounds:

  • Choose VGA instead of 8514 as the graphics driver in the MS-DOS application.
  • Run MS-DOS applications in 25-line text mode. This uses less video memory and system resources.
  • Run MS-DOS applications in Full Screen and Exclusive.
  • Run the MS-DOS application in real or standard mode of Windows.

This problem also occurs with Microsoft Windows 386 versions 2.x.

KBCategory: kbother kbdisplay
KBSubcategory: win30
Additional reference words: 3.00 win30 3.00a

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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