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Re: XP--screen length--startup.int



Robert--
I could use a bunch of clarifications if you have the time/patience/energy...
Open a DOS Prompt: Start ==> Programs (or "All Programs" in some XP boxes) ==>
Accessories ==> Command Prompt. Now hit Alt-Enter, repeatedly. You'll find
yourself toggling back and forth between a Desktop box (a window) -- you can
still see some at least of the Desktop (with all the icons) behind it, you can
see the System Tray at the bottom, the Start button, etc; and on the other hand
a *completely black screen* with just a DOS Prompt (like in the "old days"
before Windows). The first is a Desktop DOS box; the second is "Full Screen".

I think you're talking about a Desktop box.

OK, do NOT use start/run to open Xy. Instead, create (or use, if you have one
already) a shortcut on the desktop (right click on an open area of the Desktop,
pick New ==> Shortcut, and fill in the blanks (path to Editor, title of the
Shortcut, e.g. "XyWrite"). Start XyWrite using this icon (shortcut).
Done. (However...in XP I still haven't figured out how to get to the
desktop without minimizing everything, a total drag. Any idea how I can
get a desktop shortcut onto my start-key list?)
Right click on the upper left corner of the window, where the little icon is.
Stymied...no icon, upper left corner of *what* window? As a result, I
cannot find a properties menu for the width and height mentioned below.
Click on Layout (I don't have an XP machine near me now, so my terminology may not be
exactly right -- poke around). You should see, on one of these Properties
tabs, some options for Screen Buffer Size and Window Size (ignore Window
Position). Set Width=80 and Height=50 in _both_ the Buffer and Window Sizes. Click OK, and then click on "Save properties for future windows with same
title". Click OK until Properties closes. Then QUIT XyWrite and restart it
using the Shortcut. You should have what you want.
However...I'd be using all this as backup, because, as it turns out, Full Screen seems to be what I really want--just cmd and status lines, no task or tool bars, no Windows stuff visible in the background, right? (Or is there a reason I should prefer a Dos Box?)

Here are your earlier suggestions for

> full screen. If so, then you need to turn on screen expansion
> (maybe called "expand display", something like that), either in the BIOS
> (permanent solution) or maybe using a Function key + Fkey toggle (temporary for > duration of the XP session) or possibly (permanent) in the Advanced Settings of > Control Panel ==> Display (it depends entirely on the display adapter -- every > Dell I've bought in last 4-5 years came with expansion turned off by default -- > possibly because, at certain resolutions, like 1024x768, it may look terrible > on a certain monitor, whereas at 1400x1050 it looks great -- you gotta play > with those resolution settings to see what looks good once you get expansion
> turned _on_)
Can't figure out how to get into BIOS in XP, she whined, and can't find reference to turning expansion on in control panel>display, unless...am I looking for adapter modes, like 1024x768, etc? Is playing around with the resolution numbers enough, or do I have to find something that says expressly that it is going to turn on expansion?
Can you--or anyone--recommend a book on XP that's not for dummies but
for relatively smart people who just want to get on with things?

Thanks again
Judith Davidsen

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Robert Holmgren
holmgren@xxxxxxxx
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