Hi guys,

We have a customer who we've been dealing with for about 35 years and they still use DataEase! :-)

They had a DataEase database written for them way back and they still want to use it going forward. Over the years we've managed to keep DataEase running for them by using a third party terminal server application that will run on Windows XP and 7.

Anyway, we now want to move away from this solution and maybe and use your 'DOS emulator' product, LegEasy 4DOS, so they can run DataEase natively in Windows 11. 

So is LegEasy 4 DOS still available and most importantly supported? 

The reason I ask this, is I filled in the Enquiry Form on this website and not had a reply :(

Many thanks.

Cheers,

Richard.

Hi Richard

Available for purchase under the Shop Tab....so available and fully supported :-)

kind regards

Josef

Hi there, we are currently evaluating a 30 day version on LegEasy 4DOS and have some questions:

1) Does the product have to be installed on all PCs needing to run DataEase or can it be installed on a 'server PC' and other PCs connect to get their virtual 'DataEase DOS sessions'?

2) Assuming the product needs to be installed on all PCs: As the interface seems a bit unwieldly for normal users, is there a 'simple way' of just creating a DataEase shortcut onto their Desktop?

3) I seem to remember you need to define somewhere in DFD the network type i.e. Microsoft or Novell, can't remember where as it's been about 20 years since I last made changes to this system! They are currently still running on an old NetWare system, but the plan is to migrate to Windows Server soon. So please remind me where can I view and change the network type / file locking settings? 

Many thanks.

Cheers,

Richard.

ECL

Hi richard.

You are right in thinking that it is a little "byraucratic" but the interface was created originally for large users in mind and has a server install option.

But as it turned out, the majority of DFD users - of which there is still surprisingly many - set it up and run it for decades without change.

You can easiy set it up to run on a server and then create a shortcut to run it with and then simply copy the shortcuts to the different devices. 

How many users are you going to set up? 

The server install feature should still be working but its a long time since anyone used it but we might find the documentation for you if you are looking at a big job.

It's only small, up to 5 users...

So how would you recommend we install then and can we have a simple shortcut to start DE on each the user's Desktop?

Cheers,

Richard.

When you have a full licnse you get these extra options to create shortcuts and also create a server distribution setup.

I'm not entirely sure why its not part of the trial, but I think its because the trial is really only to test if it works for you rather than set up the entire system.

Understood, unfortunately I don't think our client will pay for licences until we've demonstrated to them the proper 'live' solution. Also their users are use to just clicking on an RDP icon and DataEase simply launches, with additional menus to navigate etc,  Thanks again, Cheers Richard.

Hi there, we have now got the 1 user base license installed and we are setting up printer mappings, is there a way to add LPT5:? As our current setup uses LPT5: for a particular Dataease report.

Thanks, Richard

Sorry for the late reply.
Just had some testing done.

we can send output to LPT5 from L4D if we copy the file but not if we print directly, this lead us to believe - also based on old documentation - that the limittation is in the DFD code and not in the environment itself.

Is there any particular reason why this report need to go to LPT5 other than it always have?

It would be quite easy to set it up so it gets transported on any other port (LPT1:-4 COM1-4).

PRitner mapping in DFD/L4D has always been a dark art,

Inside the application there is two setups. One is the Application Setup and that can be considered being a "template" and then there is Workstation Setup which is a copy of the Application Setup taken when a new Workstation (DENAME) come online for the first time.

The reason we tell this is because its a source of problems if one want to change printers for all workstations for instance, as changing it in the Application settings will only change it for future new workstations and changing it in the Workstation settings will only change it for that workstation.

This is in many ways resolved in L4D as the printers is virtual so you can map any printer inside the app to any printer on any port on your computer or network.

Back in the day of DFD there was "Million" different printers and all had their own "quirks" and possibilitis that was activated with ESCAPE codes.

This is long gone and all printers today is either Epson MX, HP Laser (PCL) or PostScript.

The best one to use in DFD is HP LaserJet which offer the best options overall for page control/colour/bold/lines etc.

However! If you have an old matrix printer that you still use and want to use with L4D you can set up the correct "driver" in your Application and then use RAW mode and direct the stream to the correct port with L4D.

But as the question here was how to send print to LPT5 inside the App and then get it directed to the correct printer we will limit the scope here - ask further if needed - and give you the solution.

Thanks for the reply. We have it working now, however for one particular report it seems to always bring up the windows print dialogue box. Doesn't seem to matter what printer or port we use, that particular report always opens the print dialogue box. Other reports to other printer print straight away. Could it be a particular way this report calls the printer for some reason. Any ideas as to why this may be the case.

Thanks,

Richard

Yes.

In DFD you can use abstraction or you can put in a full printer name or yuou can leave the printer name and will then need to select priinter when you print (this is in the "DOS" bit).


When you use Printer 1 it will use the printer selected under Printer 1 in Workstation Configuration.

If you write HP LaserPritner or something it will use that specification.

If you get Windows DIalog when you print from L4D it is because no pritner has been set up on that printer port i.e. LPT1,LPT2,LPT3,COM1 etc. in L4D.

My guess is that you use a printer in that specific report that send the output to a LPT port that is not mappped in L4D and hence you get the windows dialogue to select printer.

A trick might be to just set up all ports in L4D to send to the same printer, or edit the Pritn Style on the report that send to the wrong printer and set it up like the reports that send it to the right port.