[Ham-Computers] RE: Is there a way to. . .

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Phil,

It depends on what you mean by "(it) needs to run in a full screen mode".
Do you mean that it runs in a "graphics" mode and has to be a full-screen
DOS session?  Or do you mean that it needs dedicated resources that are only
availalble in a true DOS "mode" (not a DOS "session" running under windows
(either windowed or full-screen)).

If it needs to run in a true DOS mode (e.g. boot straight to DOS), then a
Keyboard Video Mouse switchbox (aka a KVM) is the least expensive way to go.
This allows you to share one keyboard, monitor, and mouse with two or more
PC's.  There are several ways to "switch", the most common being by a
double-tap of a seldom used key (such as <Scroll Lock>).  Some KVM's will
allow you to cycle through all connected PC's every few seconds (ala
surveillance cameras/monitors).  Others have manual or direct switch
buttons.  There are several inexpensive "integrated" KVM's now available
that combine the KVM box and all the cables as one unit.  IOGear, Linksys,
AirLink, and some others all sell this same basic unit with house-branded
color schemes (blue for Linksys, Green or IOGear, etc).  I use two of them
in two different situations and they work just fine.  The newer models also
include audio switching so you can use one set of speakers (and mic).

Go hear for a picture and more info on the IOGear version of this KVM...

http://www.iogear.com

Click on KVM switches, then "2 port KVM - PS/2".  The "2 port KVM - USB" is
the same unit, but for a USB keyboard and mouse.  They sell for about $40.
The generic "AirLink" equivalents can be had at Fry's for about $20.

I don't know of any current remote control programs for DOS.  They would alo
probably require too much RAM to run and might interfere with your apps.
Another idea is to run a "virtual" DOS session using VirtualPC or VMWare.
However, not all apps work properly, especially if they require direct
access to ports or memory.  VirtualPC costs $150 and VMWare is about $275,
so the KVM with existing hardware is probably the better way to go
costwise).

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Philip Atchley
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 1:17 PM
To: Computers
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Is there a way to. . .


Hello all,

Just a short "peculiar" question here.  The machine here is a 600MHz P3 
(dinosaur) running WinXP Pro.  No problems there (and MAN is DSL a whole 
NEW world, things happen so quickly).

Anyway, to get back to the problem at hand.  I'm an "old hand" at DOS 
having used everything from the first DOS (and it's predecessor) up 
through 6.22.  I 'need' to set up a separate DOS machine here to run a 
DOS radio decoder program (RadioRaft) as well as possibly a couple other 
DOS programs.  To run properly R/R needs to run in a full screen mode, 
NOT in a DOS window under XP.  And I need to run this program while 
still running my primary machine for logging, database and on-line 
lookups etc.  (YES, I have the Skysweeper Pro, version 5, registered 
version, but it's not as "Automatic" as Radioraft is and a newer version 
would cost much more than Radioraft does).

Stoopid question. Stoopid because I 'think' I already know the answer.  
Is there a way to let the XP machine "see" what the DOS machine is 
doing.  That is, some sort of "network" that would allow me to control 
the DOS machine from the keyboard and display it on the monitor of the 
XP machine? 

I could probably use a physical changeover switch to switch monitor and 
keyboard lines between machines but I can't imagine any other way.  
There isn't worktable space for all my radios AND two monitors/keyboards 
etc.  The other answer 'may' be to get an older 486 or P1 Laptop 
dedicated just for DOS (and I don't think an XT or 286 etc would be fast 
enough to do the decoding, it's rather machine intense).

73 de Phil  KO6BB