Windows

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding Synchronet and Microsoft Windows operating systems.

Why don't DOS programs run on my Windows Vista or Windows 7 system?
Why don't DOS programs run on my 64-bit Windows system?
How do I keep external programs from popping up windows and stealing the keyboard/mouse focus?
Why do external programs that use socket I/O not work on my BBS?
How do I setup my BBS to support dial-up modems/users?

SBBSEXEC.DLL

Question:
Why don't DOS programs (e.g. editors, door games) run on my Windows Vista or Windows 7 32-bit system?

Answer:
There are 2 new requirements for 16-bit DOS programs to work under Synchronet-Win32 on Windows Vista and Windows 7 (32-bit):

You must have SBBSEXEC.DLL rev 38 or later (this is included in SBBS v3.14a).
You must copy SBBSEXEC.DLL to your Windows System32 folder.

Win64

Question:
Why won't DOS programs run on my 64-bit computer running a 64-bit version of Windows?

Answer:
Microsoft does not include Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM) support in their 64-bit operating systems. Synchronet for Windows relies on NTVDM for 16-bit DOS program support, so you need to either run a 32-bit Windows version (e.g. re-install, use dual-boot, or run in a Virtual Machine) or forgo DOS programs on your BBS. Yes, you can run 32-bit Windows versions on a 64-bit (x64) system.

External Popup

Question:
How do I keep external programs (doors) from popping up windows and stealing the keyboard/mouse focus?

Answer:
Check SBBSCTRL:Telnet->Configure->Minimize Externals or add XTRN_MINIMIZED to the Options key of the [BBS] section of your sbbs.ini file.

Socket I/O

Question:
Why do external programs that use socket I/O (e.g. Synchronet Blackjack, Synchronet BBS List, DoorMUD, SEXYZ) not work on my BBS?

Answer:
Some “security” software (e.g. firewall and anti-virus programs) will interfere with the inheritance of socket descriptors between processes. One such program is the ZoneAlarm Security Suite. Another is NOD32. I don't know if this is an intentional security “feature” or a design flaw. If you have this (or similar) software installed, it may need to be disabled or completely un-installed for socket inheritance to work again.