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Kithara »DOS Enabler«

tl_files/kithara_software_gmbh/img/software_boxen/dosbox.jpgThe »DOS Enabler« enables access to PC hardware from DOS and 16bit Windows programs operating in Windows XP, 2000 and NT!

Hint: For operating on hardware dependent 32 bit programs please take a look at our »RealTime Suite«.

In the majority of cases, the »DOS Enabler« allows DOS and 16 bit Windows programs to operate on Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0. Despite some limitations, the »DOS Enabler« is able to get hardware access to I/O register and dedicated physical memory and also to handle with interrupts, so that the programs work in the majority of cases—if this was the last problem for the execution of DOS programs on Windows NT, 2000, XP and Windows Server 2003.

Characteristics of »DOS Enablers« :

  • Direct and unhindered access to physical I/O register (no emulation)
  • Direct access to physical memory between C000:0000 and FFFF:FFFF (only DOS programs)
  • Handling of most hardware interrupts, if they are not exclusive used by system
  • 16 bit programs executable on Windows NT/2000/XP/2003 and also Embedded NT and XP
  • Different emulations modi from COM interfaces
  • Redirecting to other COM interfaces, e.g. to USB ports, PCMCIA cards, PCI cards, virtual COM ports
  • Intelligent buffering to prevent data loss

»DOS Enabler« does not provide:

  • Direct control of graphics card or image memory
  • Full compatibility to DOS or BIOS functions or BIOS RAM
  • Executable in connection with DOS extenders (protected mode)
  • Full processor performance to DOS program, in order that time critical routines run without problems

Unfortunately there is generally no guarantee of an interrupt free program run because of the Windows multitasking such as that on DOS. Which is something you have to consider if you use DOS programs for communication solutions, e.g. on serial interfaces.