DOCUMENT:Q166039 08-NOV-2001 [homekids] TITLE :Kids Plus!: Protect It! MS-DOS Applications Won't Start PRODUCT :Microsoft Home Kids Products PROD/VER:WINDOWS:1.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbusagekbfaq ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Plus! for Kids, version 1.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: 1. 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.) 2. Using your right mouse button, click on the new .exe icon, and then click Properties. 3. From the Program tab, set the Working Directory to the folder where the application is installed. (E.g. C:\flightsim) 4. A second, default .pif icon will be created. (NOTE: This icon is required for the application to launch from the .exe icon.) 5. Launch Protect It! 6. From Allowed Programs, click the More button, navigate to the Desktop, select the MS-DOS based .exe, and then click OK. 7. Click the Start button, click Shut Down, and the select "Close all programs and log on as a different user." 8. 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: Q138410 Problems Running MS-DOS-Based Programs with Windows 3.x PIF Additional query words: kids kidsplus kidsplus! pack plus plus! ====================================================================== Keywords : kbusage kbfaq Technology : _IKkbbogus kbGamesSearch kbPlusKids kbPlusSearch Version : WINDOWS:1.0 Issue type : kbprb ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2001.