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

[Judith Davidsen jdavidsen@xxxxxxxx]

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

-----------------------------
> Robert Holmgren
> holmgren@xxxxxxxx
> -----------------------------