Draftsman EE by Design Computation \ VOGONS

Draftsman EE by Design Computation

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First post, by abayko

Posted on 2013-09-18, 05:22

abayko Offline

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I am currently trying to find a way to get this software running properly in DosBox. The problem I am encountering is that when the program switches from the main editor to the library manager, DosBox closes and the error "unhandled dos 21 call 53" appears in the status window. Aside from that, the software appears to be operating normally. The library manager can be invoked separately without any issue.
DosBox version 0.74
Draftsman ee version 4.17
Windows 7 running on a dual core 2.4 GHz system with 4GB ram. 32 bit version of windows.
Toshiba laptop Sattelite A210 with standard video and audio.
Problem occurs always and results in dosbox shut down
Problem seems to be in the main editor. I can rename the library manager (so the editor cannot find it) and the same error occurs. Looking through the DOS int 21h calls 53h seems to be a disk access of some sort. The program is only having trouble when the library manager is being used. The editor can load up the files if it is given a specific file name as opposed to browsing the libraries.
This program is used for printed circuit board design so it is similar to autocad in it's use.

Reply 1 of 5, by Jorpho

Posted on 2013-09-18, 18:12

Jorpho Offline

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Support for non-game applications in DOSBox is limited.

If the application requires low-level disk access, you might get a little farther by booting DOS within DOSBox using a hard disk image.

Reply 2 of 5, by abayko

Posted on 2013-09-25, 20:06

abayko Offline

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This seems to be the only issue in getting the software up and running.

I suspect that the portion of the code that is making this call is an old stub that no longer performs any function. Is there some way of making DosBox not shut down the window when the call is made and just ignore the request or send back garbage? If you know which file handles the code for the int 21h interrupts, I can probably cobble together the modification from there.

Reply 3 of 5, by Jorpho

Posted on 2013-09-25, 20:17

Jorpho Offline

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😒 Have you tried booting MS-DOS from a hard disk image yet?

Reply 4 of 5, by Qbix

Posted on 2013-09-25, 20:24

Qbix Offline

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abayko wrote:
This seems to be the only issue in getting the software up and running.

I suspect that the portion of the code that is making this call is an old stub that no longer performs any function. Is there some way of making DosBox not shut down the window when the call is made and just ignore the request or send back garbage? If you know which file handles the code for the int 21h interrupts, I can probably cobble together the modification from there.

You can write a tiny tsr that would do it.
Or you can change the sourcecode of dosbox. (src/dos/dos.cpp)
Both are relatively easy, it depends on what you are familiar with most.

And you'd better hope that they don't use the info that should be supplied by it 😀

Water flows down the stream
How to ask questions the smart way!

Reply 5 of 5, by abayko

Posted on 2013-10-08, 04:05

abayko Offline

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Thank you.

I will investigate both of those options and see which one works the best. I am more familiar with CPP so that is what I will try first.

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