Frequently asked questions

Q:

Will Mo'Slo 4BIZ work in Windows 7, 8, and 10?

A:

Mo'Slo 4BIZ and the Slo'Win EZ program both run in Windows 7, 8, and 10, and the options to restrict a program's execution to one virtual CPU and reduce CPU cycles are still available. But DOS programs, and some old Windows programs, will not run in the 64-bit versions of Windows, so you may not be able to slow old programs without using a virtual PC or IA-32 emulator.

A possible solution for Windows 7 Pro/Enterprise/Ultimate is Microsoft's Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, freely available from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx. CPU support for hardware virtualization is required.

A more general solution is an IA-32 emulator, such as Bochs, which simulate an older processor. You will need to install a compatible operating system within the emulator.

Q:

I am able to load Motorola RSS in Windows but get an error when trying to program the radio. How do I overcome this?

A:

Suggest you read this document. Motorola states that their DOS RSS won't run in Windows NT, because NT and later Windows versions do not allow direct access to the serial port. The surest way to run DOS RSS is to boot to real mode DOS (without protected mode memory management). Either turn off CPU cache in CMOS setup when booting (don't forget to turn caching back on before rebooting to Windows!) or use Mo'Slo Deluxe version 3, which allows you to disable the CPU cache while the program is running. On some systems there is also an issue with the FIFO buffer on high-speed UART chips. Mo'Slo Deluxe version 3.3 lets you disable the FIFO buffer while slowing the RSS. Or, you can use our FIFO utility, downloadable from the FILES page.

Q:

I downloaded and installed Mo'Slo, but when I try to delete the installer from the desktop, Windows says the file is in use and will not delete it. How can I delete this file?

A:

This happens occasionally in Windows XP & 2000 with executable and media files downloaded from the Internet. To delete the file, make sure you are logged onto Windows as the same user who downloaded the file. Click ‘Start’ ‘Run’, type ‘cmd’ and press ‘Enter’ to open a command prompt. At the prompt, enter the command ‘cd desktop’ to switch to the desktop folder, then enter the command ‘del moslo??.exe’ (substitute the correct filename). If the file still can't be deleted, open Task Manager, end all explore.exe processes, then switch back to the command prompt window and try the delete command again. After this you will need to reboot.

Other options can be found at these websites:
http://theeldergeek.com/delete_undeletable_file.htm
http://www.softwarepatch.com/tips/howto-delete-xp.html

Q:

When I start Slo'Win EZ, the system test progress bar does not finish and I get a Windows message that slowinez.exe had an application error and will be shut down. Why is this happening?

A:

We believe this problem is related to a specific processor: Pentium 4 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9, with Hyperthreading enabled. We suggest you first ensure that your system's BIOS is not in need of updating. If updating the BIOS is not a solution, you can overcome the problem by finding the slowinez.exe file in Windows Explorer. Right-click on the file and select ‘Properties’. Set compatibility mode to Windows 2000.

Q:

My DOS program loads fine with Mo'Slo in Windows, but text is compressed into the top half of the window. How can I fix this?

A:

Start your program with Mo'Slo. If you start full-screen, press Alt+Enter to switch to a window. Click on the icon at the left end of the title bar. Click 'Properties'. In Win NT/2K/XP and later, click the 'Layout' tab and change Screen Buffer Size 'Height' to 25. In Win 9x/ME, click the 'Screen' tab and set 'Initial size' to 25 lines. Click the 'Options' tab. Select your choice of Display options, 'Window' or 'Full screen'. Click 'OK'. When asked, choose to have the changes apply to all windows with the same title.

With Win32-based slowdown methods 2, 3 and 4, the change will apply only to the specific program you are slowing. With DOS-based slowdown methods 1 and 2, the change will apply to all programs slowed with those methods.

Q:

The Mo'Slo 4BIZ User Guide mentions setting compatibility mode property for old Windows programs installed in Windows XP. I have Windows 2000. Is it possible for me to set compatibility mode in Windows 2000?

A:

Yes, if you have Service Pack 2 or later, but you may need to manually enable the feature. Microsoft has instructions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279792

Q:

I am using Mo'Slo 4BIZ in Windows 2000. When I adjust for best game speed in SSI games, music plays too slowly. What can I do?

A:

Specifying slowdown method 3 with an interval of 1 or 2 will often bring the sound speed up. This is true in Windows XP as well.

Q:

I run [program] at .01% with Mo'Slo basic and it is still too fast. How can I get more slowdown?

A:

Slowdown can become ineffective with too low a speed parameter, so first make sure you are not trying to slow too much. A good starting percentage can be computed by dividing the CPU speed for which the program was designed by the CPU speed of the system you are running it on, then multiplying by 100. For example, to run a program designed for 66MHz on a 1GHz (1000MHz) processor, an approximate speed parameter would be 66/1000*100 = 6% = /6.

Mo'Slo 4BIZ is required to slow DOS business programs in Windows versions 2K and later.

Q:

Mo'Slo worked fine on my 450MHz CPU. Since I upgraded to a 3GHz machine it no longer works. What gives?

A:

Update or upgrade to a current Mo'Slo version. Current Mo'Slo products are all designed to handle frequencies beyond 1THz (1000GHz). Note, however, that due to limitations in DOS emulation, Mo'Slo 4BIZ is more effective in later versions of Windows.

Q:

When I slow [program] in MS-DOS, the mouse doesn't work. Is there a way to fix this?

A:

The DOS mouse driver may fail to initialize at very slow speeds. Do not use the mouse while the slowed program is loading (if input is required, use the keyboard). With Mo'Slo Deluxe or Mo'Slo 4BIZ, try using quickload or starting at a higher speed, then slowing down after the application is loaded. Try another slowdown method. This problem has not been reported with the current versions of Mo'Slo.

Q:

When I slow [program] in MS-DOS, the sound board doesn't work (it works without Mo'Slo). Is there a way to fix this?

A:

With Mo'Slo Deluxe or Mo'Slo 4BIZ, try using quickload. With Mo'Slo 4BIZ, try an alternate slowdown method or smaller interval. In Windows NT/2K/XP, you may want to try the VDMSound utility.

Q:

I use Mo'Slo Deluxe to run X-COM: UFO Defense, which runs from a batch file. But when I slow X-COM enough for the ground assaults, the Geoscape gets choppy. Any fix?

A:

Did you set the FIRE SPEED to '1' before using Mo'Slo? If not, you're slowing the game more than necessary. Otherwise, see this page for a special batch file to fix the problem. Note: the batch file may not be necessary with Deluxe version 3 and later.

Q:

Origin recommends Mo'Slo for slowing Wing Commander I. Mo'Slo slows the opening animation but doesn't have much effect on gameplay. Why?

A:

WC game engine counteracts the basic slowdown method in Mo'Slo/Mo'Slo Deluxe on CPUs faster than 200MHz. You will have better results with method 2 in current versions, but it's not going to be perfect. With Mo'Slo 4BIZ under Windows 95/98/ME you can slow an MS-DOS prompt, then run the game in another MS-DOS session by double-clicking the WC icon. The methodology is described in more detail here

Q:

Ultima7 sometimes dies with a black screen after entering a name and clicking to start the game. Is there a fix?

A:

If you can, upgrade, as this does not seem to be a problem with current versions of Mo'Slo. In older versions this seems to be related to the use of the mouse. With Mo'Slo Deluxe or 4BIZ, use quickload and do not begin slowdown until after the gameplay begins, and use slowdown method 2.

Q:

Is there a way to run Ultima 7 slowed from Windows 95/98 without using a boot disk?

A:

It is possible to do this using a shortcut. One method is illustrated here.

Q:

I got Mo'Slo Deluxe v.2.0 with The Forgotten Realms Archives and it works fine with Curse of the Azure Bonds. Why doesn't it work with Secret of the Silver Blades?

A:

Mo'Slo Deluxe 2.0 does not slow Secret... on some systems, and it can fail completely above 600MHz. Use current versions of Mo'Slo basic, Mo'Slo Deluxe, or Mo'Slo 4BIZ with this game.

Q:

Mo'Slo v.1.5 has no effect on the speed my DOS game runs. Is it possible Mo'Slo Deluxe or 4BIZ will slow it?

A:

Try a speed parameter of /10 with both slowdown methods 1 and 2 (/m2). If you see no slowdown with either method, then the answer is "probably not." But if you send a message to Tech Support advising which program(s) is(are) not affected by Mo'Slo, we may be able to give a definitive answer.

Email unanswered questions to Tech Support.


 
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