DOCUMENT:Q73737 23-NOV-1999 [msdos] TITLE :DOSSWAP.EXE Problem Occurs When Swap Not Allowed PRODUCT :Microsoft Disk Operating System PROD/VER:MS-DOS:5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:msdos ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= There is a problem in MS-DOS version 5.0 Task Swapper that can cause mysterious failures after a task switch request is not allowed. A task switch request is prevented whenever you attempt to switch tasks by pressing ALT+TAB or ALT+ESC when task switching could cause a problem for the application. When the request is prevented, the machine beeps, and the task switch does not occur. If you find that erratic behavior occurs after you are not allowed to perform a task switch, you should obtain the above application note. MORE INFORMATION ================ A task switch request is disallowed under the following circumstances: - If you are running an application that is MS-DOS Shell Task Switcher aware and you press ALT+TAB to switch, Task Swapper may disallow the call because the application has notified MS-DOS Shell not to swap it. For example, Novell NetWare never allows task switches while it is servicing any MS-DOS function (INT 21) call over the network. - If you run any application that uses netBIOS asynchronous API (for example, VTP or an SQL application in a session), Task Swapper automatically disallows any switch request to avoid possible problems. In either of the above cases, the value in the CX register will be destroyed. The affect of the CX register being destroyed will vary, depending on what the application was storing there. Additional query words: appnote 5.00 dosshell dosswap kbfest ====================================================================== Keywords : msdos Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS500 Version : MS-DOS:5.0 ============================================================================= 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 1999.