Edit Total DOS Launcher Configuration

How to reach it

In either Create Total DOS Launcher Menu or Export as Total DOS Launcher Collection dialogs at the Configuration dropdown use the or buttons to edit/add a Total DOS Launcher Configuration.

How it works

You can define a global Total DOS Launcher configuration with this dialog.

Provide a unique Name of your configuration.

In Program Locations you specify drives and directories where TDL may look for files. Absolute as well as relative paths are possible. DOS limits max this at 80 characters.

Cache Location is the cache directory location. This is where archives (.zip files, etc.) are decompressed into.  If you want to save your game, hi scores, etc., then this should be a permanent directory on a hard disk.  If you don't care about retaining files, you can put this on a RAM disk.

User Level: TDL can operate in three user modes:

 - regular is the default and recommended mode, where the TDL will try to make educated decisions where applicable.

 - power displays more messages, copies the debug log to a text logfile, and generally gives more control.

 - kiosk is meant for shows, conventions, and museums. It disables features that could confuse novice users and makes as many decisions on behalf of the user as possible. ctrl-alt-delete is trapped and disabled.Finally, the TDL cannot be exited in this mode.

It is highly recommended you run in regular mode unless instructed otherwise.

Force Logging: Being a power user copies the debug log into a text file. You can force this behavior ON for all user levels for troubleshooting purposes.

Swapping: TDL swaps itself into EMS, XMS, extended memory, or disk when launching a program. If you suspect this is causing problems, you can turn it off, but you will have less DOS RAM available for running your program.

Preloading: TDL normally preloads data into system RAM to increase operating speed. If you have a very large number of titles loaded (over 10,000) and do not have any EMS or XMS memory configured, you might run out of low DOS RAM. You can disable preloading to force the TDL to work, but if your hard disk is a slow device, it could operate very slowly.  (Generally, don't disable preloading unless you experience memory errors.)

Pause after Run: TDL normally returns to the menu after execution.  You can change this behavior to waiting for user input, so that the user can read the screen before returning.

Extended VESA Mode: TDL uses the text mode already set up in DOS. If you'd like the TDL to initialize an extended VESA text mode, you can enter which mode here.

Further Topics