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First post, by rafik73

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Greetings
I am new here, so welcome.
I want to use Dosbox to run an old program under DOS secured with an LPT key (the key is Dallas Semiconductor). The software manufacturer recommends some settings in the configuration files, namely:

  AUTOEXEC.BAT FILE EXAMPLE FOR VIK PROGRAMS
FOR WINDOWS 95 OPERATIVE SYSTEM'S COMPUTER

@ECHO OFF
C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE 1024 /V
PATH=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND;C:\WINDOWS;C:\APM
SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND
SET :HOME:=C:\APM
PROMPT $P$G
C:\MOUSE\MOUSE
C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\KEYB IT,,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\KEYBOARD.SYS /E
C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\DOSKEY.COM
MODE CON: DELAY=1 RATE=32



CONFIG.SYS FILE EXAMPLE FOR VIK PROGRAMS
FOR WINDOWS 95 OPERATIVE SYSTEM'S COMPUTER

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE RAM
BUFFERS=30,0
FILES=30
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=Z
FCBS=16,0
DOS=HIGH
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\ANSI.SYS
COUNTRY=039,,C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\COUNTRY.SYS
STACKS=9,256

******************************************************************************

AUTOEXEC.BAT FILE EXAMPLE FOR VIK PROGRAMS
FOR MS-DOS 6.22 OPERATIVE SYSTEM'S COMPUTER

@ECHO OFF
C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.EXE 1024 /V
PATH=C:\DOS;C:\APM
SET TEMP=C:\DOS
SET :HOME:=C:\APM
PROMPT $P$G
C:\MOUSE\MOUSE
C:\DOS\KEYB IT,,C:\DOS\KEYBOARD.SYS /E
C:\DOS\DOSKEY.COM
MODE CON: DELAY=1 RATE=32



CONFIG.SYS FILE EXAMPLE FOR VIK PROGRAMS
FOR MS-DOS 6.22 OPERATIVE SYSTEM'S COMPUTER

DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM
BUFFERS=30,0
FILES=30
DOS=UMB
LASTDRIVE=Z
FCBS=16,0
DOS=HIGH
Show last 3 lines
DEVICE=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS
COUNTRY=039,,C:\DOS\COUNTRY.SYS
STACKS=9,256

How do you apply these settings in DOSBOX?

Reply 2 of 17, by dr_st

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There are unofficial versions of DOSBox that do support the physical LPT. Years ago, I used the Megabuild with AllowIO/Porttalk to run a Win3.11 program protected by a LPT plug key. Of course this only worked in 32-bit Windows XP.

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Reply 3 of 17, by rafik73

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I use DOSBOX Megabuild6 and Porttalk22.
I entered the command line:

AllowIo 378h
dr_st wrote:

Of course this only worked in 32-bit Windows XP.

Which version do you use (what servicepack)?
Can you send me your version of DOSBOX or a configuration file?

I have the impression that I have a badly configured memory. I do not know how to map entries from autoeexec and config in DOSBOX.

Reply 4 of 17, by collector

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Note that Megabuild is *very* old and completely unsupported. It should never be recommended.

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Reply 5 of 17, by dr_st

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collector wrote:

Note that Megabuild is *very* old and completely unsupported. It should never be recommended.

I have no problem recommending it for a very unique and specific purpose, though.

Remember that the very software we run in DOSBox is also "*very* old and completely unsupported". Much more so than the Megabuild. 🤣

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Reply 6 of 17, by dr_st

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rafik73 wrote:

Which version do you use (what servicepack)?
Can you send me your version of DOSBOX or a configuration file?

I have the impression that I have a badly configured memory. I do not know how to map entries from autoeexec and config in DOSBOX.

I don't recall there was an issue with service packs, so it probably works fine on SP2 or SP3. I'll try to get you more information soon. The Config/Autoexec you posted are probably irrelevant.

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Reply 7 of 17, by rafik73

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This program worked under DOS in Windows 98. The maximum processor is Pentium 3 500 Mhz, the graphics card only PCI (on AGP did not work). If the hardware conditions were not met, the program did not see the key. Can DOSBOX emulate equipment below Pentium 3 500 Mhz and without AGP?

Reply 8 of 17, by dr_st

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As far as I know:

DOSBox does not emulate anything over 486 or Pentium, although it can emulate much higher clock speeds (but you can control the speed).
AGP/PCI is completely orthogonal to DOSBox, since it all looks like PCI to DOS software.

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Reply 9 of 17, by dr_st

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Looks like I was also using SVN_MB6. I put PortTalk under the DOSBox directory and then used the following command (in batch file) to launch DOSBox and allow it access to the physical LPT:

@porttalk\allowio dosbox.exe 0x378

Notice that you don't run AllowIO in DOSBOX. You run DOSBox through AllowIO.

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Reply 12 of 17, by rafik73

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I will try to install Windows XP SP1. Maybe SP2 or SP3 has an effect on DOSBOX. I suggest these posts (you have to translate them):

https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic574886.html

I will write later if it gave me something.

Reply 14 of 17, by Gene Wirchenko

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collector wrote:

Note that Megabuild is *very* old and completely unsupported. It should never be recommended.

I have been happily using it for years to get printer output from MS-DOS programs. What should I be using, and why is it better?

Reply 15 of 17, by collector

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vDos or vDos Plus

https://sourceforge.net/projects/vdos/

http://vdosplus.org/

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Reply 16 of 17, by dr_st

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Gene Wirchenko wrote:

I have been happily using it for years to get printer output from MS-DOS programs. What should I be using, and why is it better?

You should be using whatever works for you. Unlike some folks, I see absolutely no problem using an outdated and unofficial solution, as long as you are aware that if it stops working, you are on your own and will not get support.

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Reply 17 of 17, by gdjacobs

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dr_st wrote:

You should be using whatever works for you. Unlike some folks, I see absolutely no problem using an outdated and unofficial solution, as long as you are aware that if it stops working, you are on your own and will not get support.

No question, although it should be made extremely clear when something is heavily diverged from the main line and that the experience (positive or negative) is not reflective of other loosely related products.

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