MS-DOS Video Modes Displayed in a Window

 Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
Article ID: Q83029

SUMMARY

This article discusses the video modes supported while running MS-DOS-based applications in a window under Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1 in 386 enhanced mode.

MORE INFORMATION

In Windows 3.1, all video drivers perform identically to the drivers shipped with Windows 3.0 when you run MS-DOS-based applications in a window, except the following drivers:

  • 8514
  • TIGA
  • SVGA
  • VGA

The 8514, TIGA, SVGA, and VGA drivers support the following video modes when you run MS-DOS-based applications in a window:
  • 0Dh
  • 0Eh
  • 0Fh
  • 10h
  • 11h
  • 12h

The other drivers that ship with Windows 3.1 and drivers based on Windows 3.0 are only capable of running mode 0Fh in a window.

These other drivers are able to display MS-DOS-based applications that use video modes 0Dh, 0Eh, 10h, 11h, 12h in a window if the current screen does not need to be redrawn or updated. This way it is possible to select and copy text to the Clipboard. When it is time for the screens to be updated, the application must be switched back to full screen. Switching from a window to full-screen mode and back can be done in two different ways:

  • Make the MS-DOS-based application active and then press ALT+ENTER.

    -or-

  • From the Control menu (-) in the upper-left corner of an MS-DOS-based application running in a window, choose Settings, select Full Screen, and then choose the OK button.

If you attempt to update an MS-DOS-based application running in a window in a mode other than 0Fh, the following error message appears: 

   You cannot run this application while another high-resolution
   application is running.
After this has come up and been dismissed, Windows beeps if you make any subsequent attempt to update the screen, press keys, and so on. The application must be changed to full-screen mode before continuing.

Video mode 13h is not capable of running in a window. If you attempt to run a 13h-mode screen in a window, the following error message appears 

   Insufficient Memory
and the screen will have to be changed back to full screen before the MS-DOS application is viewable.

KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbdisplay kbenv
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 tseng quadram sigma ati video7 quadtel
paradise diamond speedstar

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Last reviewed: November 23, 1994
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