Running 'Fractal Time' Using DOSbox

Running Fractal Time Using DOSbox

Thanks to Martin Lass for contributions to this page.
As noted on the home page, the source code for this program has been lost, so the following two problems cannot be fixed by modifying the program directly:

After the introduction the program asks to use the whole screen, but neither Windows 2000 nor Vista will not let it have it, so the program won't run (directly) under these two operating systems.
Option G at the main menu, for copying a graph to the clipboard (so as to paste it into a graphics program), worked OK when the software was run under Windows 98 but it does not work with Windows XP.
Fortunately there is a solution to both these problems. There is a free program called DOSbox (google "DOSbox" to find a download link). This emulates an x86 computer running DOS. It is similar to the Command Prompt in Windows Accessories but, unlike the latter program, DOSbox enables you to copy the graphics screen to the clipboard. It can be installed under both Windows XP and Vista.
To run Fractal Time using DOSbox it is necessary to copy the frt710.exe file to a DOS-readable folder, i.e., a folder whose name has 8 characters or less and no spaces (you can use an underscore though, e.g., "C:\frt_prog").
Install and run DOSbox. It comes up with a "Z:\>" prompt. You must now "mount" the folder containing frt710.exe as a virtual drive, which you do using the command "mount C {folder}", e.g., "mount C C:\frt_prog". Then go to the mounted drive with the command "C:". Type "DIR" (and press Enter) to get a directory listing, showing the FRT710.EXE file. Finally enter "FRT710" to run the program.
Anti-virus software (e.g. Kaspersky) will flag DOSbox as a keylogger. You can usually disable this warning in the anti-virus software.
Copying of graphs to clipboard works by following the prompts in the main program. But when using the "Print Screen" ("PrtSc") key, to get it to copy only the DOS window and not the whole screen, use Alt+PrtSc. You can then copy it into any compatible program, such as MS Paint, Paint Shop Pro and even MS Word.
After you quit the Fractal Time you will be back at DOSbox's command line. Enter "EXIT" to quit DOSbox. When you wish to run Fractal Time again using DOSbox you must mount the folder as a drive again, as explained above.

Fractal Time Software