Running a program called Dollars and Sense

[wizardry]

I am trying to get the Dollar and Sense program to run in Vdos.  This program generally runs in the C:\ drive
in the folder named: $&Sense and $&Sense2.  I am able to run this program on a Windows XP computer using
a shortcut with the following setup.  Target = C:\$&sense\DSBOOT.$BT and C:\$&sense.  Within the $&Sense 
folder there is a batch file named ds.bat with the following content: cd\$&sense, rund&s.com dsboot.$bt dsmain.$vl

There is no .exe file to start the program only the rund&s.com file.

I have attempted many variables of how to start the program but have been unsuccessfull with these attempts.
I have been successful starting and running other DOS based programs which are started with an .exe type file.

Any suggestions to get the right settings will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Wiz

[Jos]

A .com file is mostly (by default) an image of a program that can be loaded w/o memory relocations, it just all fits in a single 64K DOS memory segment. Though it doesn’t have to be an actual memory image w/o relocations. Could be it’s a renamed .exe file.

Start with copying the $&Sense and $&Sense2 folders to the vDos directory (C:\vDos by default).
Wipe out autoexec.txt, so you get the C:> command prompt starting vDos.
Then execute $&Sense\ds.bat, Dollar and Sense will probably expect some folders related to C:.
If it works, add that to autoexec.txt, or copy ds.bat to autoexec.txt.
If not, add /log to the vDos shortcut (….vDos.exe /log). Submit the generated vDos.log file, that should reveal why Dollar and Sense doesn’t start.

Jos

[wizardry]

Thanks Jos, I have it figured out....you explanation was excellent.

Wiz