[Ham-Computers] RE: Navigating DOS Screen Without a Mouse

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

TAB and the arrow keys usually work and are pseudo-standard, but DOS apps are individually coded, so there is no definitive standard.  So even though TAB/Arrow keys work in one app, they may not work in another.  Such was the way of life during the non-GUI "dark ages" of text-based, character graphics, computing.

As for USB mouse support in DOS, you probably need to run a TSR app or driver to control the mouse.  DOS has no built-in mouse support and the mouse vendor usually supplied an app/driver that added MOUSE functionality.  MOUSE.COM, MOUSE.EXE, and MOUSE.SYS are the common names for Logitech mouse drivers, MSMOUSE.EXE for Microsoft mice.  These also usually work with mice that emulate a Logitech or Microsoft mouse and the latest versions of these drivers should include USB support.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 8:44 AM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] Navigating DOS Screen Without a Mouse

Thanks for the helpful replies.  Tab works nicely to move from place 
to place, and after looking more carefully, I noticed highlighted 
letters where I could use Alt-(desired letter) to respond.
Jim

At 11:18 PM 5/12/2008, you wrote:
>I'm using Terabyte Image for DOS to back up the C drive and 
>encountered a problem.  I need to add an X to a box to indicate I 
>want to validate during the backup.  Normally, I would use the mouse 
>and left click the box, but as the name implies it's a DOS program 
>and my USB mouse is inoperative.  I don't have a mouse port on this computer.
>
>What keystrokes should I use?  I can easily reach the line that has 
>the box, but can't click it. Incidentally, it's a nice program but 
>it's too bad it does not have USB mouse support.
>
>Thanks, Jim
>
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