Problems Running MS-DOS-Based Program from System Agent

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95

SYMPTOMS

When you use System Agent to schedule an MS-DOS-based program that is configured to run in MS-DOS mode, System Agent runs the program successfully, but may run the program again after you quit the program and return to Windows 95. If the program's shortcut is configured so that you are not warned before Windows 95 restarts in MS-DOS mode, it may appear that there is no way to stop the program from running every time you restart Windows 95.

CAUSE

When System Agent runs an MS-DOS-based program in MS-DOS mode, it is unable to detect that the program has finished running after you quit the program and return to Windows 95. Because System Agent does not know that the program has already been run successfully, it runs the program again.

RESOLUTION

If the shortcut for the MS-DOS-based program is configured so that you are warned before Windows 95 restarts in MS-DOS mode, the following message is displayed before Windows 95 restarts in MS-DOS mode and the MS-DOS-based program is run:

   This program is set to run in MS-DOS mode and cannot run while other
   programs are running. All other programs will close if you choose to
   continue.

   Do you want to continue?

1. When Windows 95 restarts after you quit the MS-DOS-based program, press the F8 key when you see the "Starting Windows 95" message, and then choose Safe Mode from the Startup menu.

   NOTE: If you do not see the "Starting Windows 95" message after you quit the MS-DOS-based program, restart your computer by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE, using the computer's reset button, or turning the computer off and then back on. To minimize the risk of data loss, you should not restart the computer while the hard disk light indicates that the drive is being accessed.

2. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Agent.

3. Click the MS-DOS-based program in the list of scheduled programs, and then click Disable on the Program menu.

4. Close System Agent and then restart Windows 95 normally.

1. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Agent.

2. Click the MS-DOS-based program in the list of scheduled programs, and then click Change Schedule on the Program menu. In the Start At box, note the time at which the program is scheduled to be run.

3. Click Advanced.

4. Click the "If the program is still running, stop it at this time" check box to select it.

5. In the Deadline box, type the time you noted in step 2 plus one minute. For example, if the program is scheduled to start at 5:00 P.M., type "5:01 PM" (without quotation marks) in the Deadline box.

6. Click OK, and then close System Agent.

MORE INFORMATION

To configure the shortcut for the MS-DOS-based program so that you are warned before Windows 95 restarts in MS-DOS mode, follow these steps:

1. Use the right mouse button to click the shortcut, and then click Properties on the menu that appears.

2. Click the Program tab.

3. Click Advanced.

4. Click the Warn Before Entering MS-DOS Mode check box to select it, and then click OK.