Kids Plus!: Protect It! MS-DOS Applications Won't Start (166039)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Plus! for Kids 1.0
This article was previously published under Q166039
NOTE: The workaround outlined in this article may not work with some
MS-DOS based applications. If a customized .pif has been created, the
corresponding MS-DOS based application may have problems starting.
SYMPTOMS
When you use Microsoft Plus! For Kids Protect It!, MS-DOS based
applications may not run when Protect It! restrictions are turned on.
CAUSE
MS-DOS based applications commonly install a .pif file on the Windows
desktop that acts as a link to the programs executable file (.exe).
Though Protect It! recognizes the .pif and will resolve it to an .exe
in the Allowed Programs list, .pif files will not launch with Protect
It! restrictions turned on.
WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, do the following:
- Drag a copy of the MS-DOS based application's .exe to the Windows
desktop. (The icon must be on the Desktop for this workaround to
function properly.)
- Using your right mouse button, click on the new .exe icon, and then
click Properties.
- From the Program tab, set the Working Directory to the folder where
the application is installed. (E.g. C:\flightsim)
- A second, default .pif icon will be created. (NOTE: This icon is
required for the application to launch from the .exe icon.)
- Launch Protect It!
- From Allowed Programs, click the More button, navigate to the
Desktop, select the MS-DOS based .exe, and then click OK.
- Click the Start button, click Shut Down, and the select "Close all
programs and log on as a different user."
- After you log on as a different user, the MS-DOS based application
will run from the .exe icon on the Desktop.
NOTE: In some cases the default .pif settings will not be allowed by the
application. In this case, Protect It! restrictions will need to be
removed to run the application.
For more information about running MS-DOS-based programs, please see the
following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
138410 Problems Running MS-DOS-Based Programs with Windows 3.x PIF
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 11/8/2001 |
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| Keywords: | kbprb kbusage KB166039 |
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