Knowledge Base

Windows Supports DPMI Specification Level 0.9 Only

Article ID: 121962

Article Last Modified on 1/19/2007

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q121962

SYMPTOMS

When you start the programs listed below in Windows, you receive the following error message:
Phar Lap err 74: Can't use - REALBREAK under this version of DPMI

Applications that are known to cause this error message include:
  • AutoCAD for DOS version 12 by AutoDesk
  • DOS GIS by Surpac
  • FIFA Soccer by Electronic Arts

CAUSE

The application that you are trying to run requires services from the DPMI server that are not available in Windows.

Microsoft Windows supports the DPMI specification version 0.9 with the math coprocessor functions 1.0. Phar Lap is a DOS extender that has its own set of libraries of services for the DPMI specification level 1.0. If your MS-DOS-based application needs services from level 1.0 of this specification, it cannot run in Windows.

RESOLUTION

Run the application outside of Windows, in MS-DOS mode.

MORE INFORMATION

When an application is running in real mode, it can invoke a DPMI server. Windows launches a DPMI server when it is loaded; therefore, if you run your application in Windows, it uses the DPMI server that is already present. If the application makes a call to a service that is supported by DPMI 1.0, you receive an error message, and the application halts.

Additional query words: pharlap

Keywords: kb3rdparty kbenv kbprb KB121962


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