================================== Russ, Thanks again for trying my suggestions and reporting their results. I had forgotten that Fractint.doc has some info in it for running Fractint under 'Windows'. WinXP was released after the Fractint Version 20.0 Documentation so their info (in the form of tips from users) may or may not apply. Note that some of the tips contradict each other - such as the usage of 'Always Suspend' and the versions of windows that the tips are intended for are not specified. Here is what I just found in the Fractint Version 20.0 Documentation that looks promising: ". . . textsafe=save . . . only works if Always suspend is turned ON." textsafe=save works on my Win98 machine without my having to turn ON 'Always Suspend' - however, I recommend that you give it a try. How to check the 'Always Suspend' box is in the docs (which I quote below). Also I recommend that you read the entire section on textsafe= in the docs. Here's an excerpt: ". . .'=save' tells Fractint to save/restore the entire image. Expanded or extended memory is used for the save if you have enough available; otherwise a temporary disk file is used." textsafe=BIOS or one of the other settings may possibly work. You'll never know if they fix your image corruption problem until you try them, though... Just to be clear on this: am I correct in thinking that switching between a fractal *image* in Fractint and the WinXP desktop and back again also corrupts the image? <==<< Also, if you remain in Fractint (without switching to the WinXP desktop) can you switch between a fractal image and a text screen and back without corruption? <==<< Does checking the box for 'Always Suspend' in conjunction with textsafe=save stop your image corruption? <==<< Also, I didn't specifically mention it, but in sstools.ini you need a line with [fractint] on it prior to the textsafe=save line. Without the [fractint] line Fractint will not recognize the textsafe=save command. I receive the Fractint mailing list in the digest form. Sometimes it is several days between times that I receive digests so my comments to you are not always as timely as they might be... ==================================== From the Fractint Version 20.0 Documentation: Damien M. Jones Windows tips: Damien M. Jones dmj@fractalus.com "This is what works for me. Your mileage may vary. Create a shortcut to FRACTINT.EXE, right-click it, choose Properties. On the Memory tab: set all five drop-downs to "Auto". On the Screen tab: choose Full-screen and Fast ROM emulation, leave Dynamic memory allocation OFF. Under the Misc tab: turn OFF Allow screen saver. Turn ON Always suspend. Set the Idle sensitivity to about 1/4, closest to Low. In the SSTOOLS.INI file, put textsafe=save on a line by itself in the [fractint] section. (This helps preserve your screen when you switch away from FractInt, but only works if Always suspend is turned ON.)" ------------------------------------ Jay Hill's Windows tips: Jay Hill ehill1@san.rr.com "For starters, make sure the DOS window properties are set to 'Misc | Always suspend' = off." Unless you want the task to stop when it does not have focus. Also, you can put the Idle Sensitivity to high. Make settings on any other DOS windows you have open according to what they should be (or what you prefer). If your DOS window is full screen, press Alt-Enter to make it a Window window. Then click on the MSDOS icon in the upper left. WARNING, don't do this in a high res graphics mode or in text mode (sometimes). The safest is F3 320x200 graphics mode. Windows likes that mode. If you have a high res image, hit 'X' to get the text screen and then Alt-ENTER to get the DOS Windows window... POW...your task will likely die. So ... don't do that: Some DOS programs eat up to 50% or 80% CPU time just sitting watching for key strokes. Clearly, these should be suspended when they don't have the focus. A simple DOS prompt, I have found, eats little time. Some web pages eat lots of time (watching prompt boxes) while others eat little (plain text or graphics with no links). It has been noted here before, you can make a shortcut to Fractint.exe and tailor its properties. I use in the program tab: command line: FRACTINT.EXE textsafe=save sound=off Under the screen tab: Usage: Full screen. Under Misc: Allow screen saver=off. You should coordinate your DOS windows according to what you are doing. I often change the settings for a short time, just to do some other task." =====================================
Let me clarify my last statement: In XP, both alt<tab> and alt<enter> shrink an image to the taskbar, and a doubleclick restores it to its original state. If I shrink a text page by either method though, the existing image is corrupted in the usual way. The H key is one way to restore the image.
- Hal Lane hallane @ compuserve.com ==================================